Star sand

The aptly named Hoshizuna no Hama (Star Sand Beach) has some very particular grains of sand: they are shaped like tiny stars. These "grains of sand" are actually the skeletons of small one-celled organisms that live among the sea grass. Only two beaches in Japan have this particularity, the other one being on the nearby island of Taketomi.

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Hoshizuna-no-Hama, which translates to "Sand in the Shape of a Star", is a small but charming Japanese beach famous for its star-shaped tiny grains of sand.

One of the rarest forms of sand, star sand, is both a beautiful sight and a scientific marvel. Here's the intriguing story behind this sand.

White beach sands made of the remains of tiny, star shaped creatures.

We all understand our Heavenly Father's love, but do we know why we are worthy of it? Understanding this will give us peace and purpose.

Sea Stars in the sand. Monterey Bay California U.S.A. Hopkins Point. Dive time 30 min max depth 60 Ft. Visibility ~ 20 ft. Nikonos V, U.W. Nikkor 20mm F 2.8 Fujichrome Velvia 50.

Japan’s handful of star sand beaches have sand like few other places in the world.

The tiny star shells are the product of ocean-dwelling one-celled protozoa called Baclogypsina sphaerulata. Three islands in Okinawa, Japan – Hatoma, Iriomote and Taketomi – have beaches which are the lucky recipients of this rare and stellar gift.