Pictured: The incredible ‘mirror’ beach in Japan that has become an Instagram sensation

On reflection, it’s a sight to behold. 

A beach in Japan has become a hit with Instagrammers thanks to its tide pools, which reflect the sky in a ‘mirror effect’ – resulting in a striking photo opportunity. 

Chichibugahama Beach, outside the city of Mitoyo in Shikoku Island’s Kagawa Prefecture, has been tagged over 175,000 times on Instagram, has its own Instagram page that showcases the best mirrored snapshots captured by visitors and saw approximately 460,000 visitors in 2019.

The beach is set outside the city of Mitoyo in Shikoku Island’s Kagawa Prefecture. For those hoping to capture a shot for themselves, the mirror effect is said to work best at sunset

Chichibugahama Beach is also a popular spot for swimming, and since 1995 a local committee has been dedicated to keeping it clean 

Popular poses that travellers strike include jumping in the air, holding up balloons and walking with props such as umbrellas. 

The beach is often compared to the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia, which similarly reflect a mirror image of the sky during the rainy season. 

Chichibugahama Beach, which was relatively unknown until recent years, saw its popularity surge in 2016 when a picture showing two children reflected in its water impressed the judges of a Mitoyo tourist authority photo competition, according to Japan Forward. 

The photograph inspired photographers to capture their own mirror images, turning the one-kilometre-long (0.6-mile) beach into a significant tourist attraction.  

According to Mitoyo’s tourism site, the mirror effect works best at sunset and when there is no wind to disturb the water’s surface.

The website has even released tips on how to capture the best pictures, saying: ‘The trick is to keep your stance close to the surface of the water.’

 Chichibugahama Beach has been tagged over 175,000 times on Instagram, has its own Instagram page that showcases the best mirrored snapshots captured by visitors and saw approximately 460,000 visitors in 2019

The beach shot to popularity in 2016 when a picture showing two children reflected in its water impressed the judges of a Mitoyo tourist authority photo competition 

It’s recommended that Instagrammers keep their stance ‘close to the surface of the water’ in order to get the perfect shot

Sharing their experience of the Instagram-famous attraction, Tripadvisor user ‘MarkGroenewold’ described it as a ‘pristine and gorgeous’ beach that’s an ‘iconic place for unique photography’

It also recommends that the model poses on one side of the tide pool, while the photographer stands on the other. 

The website hosts a calendar that lists the beach’s tide and sunset times, helping Instagrammers to secure the perfect shot.  

Though photography is encouraged, tourists are asked to refrain from flying drones over the beach when it gets crowded.

Sharing their experience of the Instagram-famous attraction, Tripadvisor user ‘MarkGroenewold’ described it as a ‘pristine and gorgeous’ beach that’s an ‘iconic place for unique photography’.

Above is a bird’s eye view of the city of Mitoyo. Visitors can access the beach by hopping on a bus from the city’s train station 

The beach is often compared to the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia, pictured, which similarly reflect the sky  

While user ‘Lunasolhk’ said: ‘The best time for all those seamless reflections of the sky is evening (sunset) with low tide. Do plan well before you visit.’ 

Chichibugahama Beach is also a popular spot for swimming, and since 1995 a local committee has been dedicated to keeping it clean 

To get to the beach, take the ‘Nio Line’ bus route from JR Takuma Station in Mitoyo – the drive lasts around 25 minutes. There’s also a car park next to the beach for those with car rentals.

For more information, visit www.mitoyo-kanko.com/chichibugahama.