Miyakojima

There you are, bobbing awkwardly at Cape Maeda's Blue Grotto, clutching your snorkeling gear with the grace of a drunken flamingo, as you eye the sapphire-blue cave entrance skeptically. Popularized by intrepid locals, enthusiastic tourists, and anyone who's ever hashtagged #wanderlust, this underwater cavern has been dazzling visitors since humans realized they actually enjoy swimming into pitch-black voids-provided there's a payoff like radiant, otherworldly azure waters at the other end. The Blue Grotto is best experienced early in the morning because, let's face it, there's nothing worse than snorkeling inside nature's cathedral with an accidental flipper in your face. Book your adventure a few days ahead, budget about $50-$80, and bring sunscreen, a waterproof camera, and some self-respect you're willing to temporarily set aside while pulling on your wetsuit. Why subject yourself to this damp endeavor? Because diving headfirst into luminescent blue waters beneath ancient limestone ceilings doesn't just make for envy-inducing stories and questionable Instagram captions; it reminds you why exploring the world's stranger corners makes life infinitely more interesting.

You might be forgiven for thinking you've washed ashore on the set of "Cast Away" when your boat pulls up to Hatenohama Sandbar, a slender, absurdly picturesque strip of sand off Kumejima island that looks suspiciously Photoshopped. Accessible only by boat (book at least a day or two ahead, because spontaneity is charming but hunger isn't), this unmarred sliver of paradise offers no shade, no Wi-Fi, and certainly no overpriced tiki drinks-meaning you'd better bring ample sunscreen, sunglasses, plenty of water, and snacks if you prefer your desert-island fantasies sans hangry tantrums. Aim for an early morning trip before the sun unleashes its midday wrath, allowing you to fully appreciate how surreal it feels to stroll barefoot on a strip of sand that's as skinny as a runway model and infinitely more pleasant to spend time with. Budget-wise, expect to drop around ¥4,000 to ¥6,000 per person for a tour-steep perhaps, but cheaper than therapy and infinitely more Instagram-worthy. Historically speaking, this ephemeral stretch of sand hasn't exactly inspired epic sagas or sparked global conflicts, but standing there, surrounded by turquoise waters, you will unmistakably feel like the protagonist in a quirky travel memoir. Whether you're there simply to blast Jimmy Buffett ironically or to reenact your best Tom Hanks-with-volleyball monologue, visiting Hatenohama Sandbar is undeniably worth it-even if the only souvenir you bring home is an amusing anecdote of your briefly lived, slightly sunburned exile in paradise.