The beach is the final natural hamlet on the Amami islands, and one of the last in Japan, with locals living behind the protection of a natural dune.

Japan is often ravaged by massive tropical storms, which has forced authorities to erect concrete seawalls across most of the nation’s beaches.

Katoku has not been immune to these storms, prompting the government to announce a 6.5m-tall, 180m-long seawall running the length of the beach.

That seems like a terrible shame. Concrete walls are not a solution to coastal erosion - they often make it worse by interfering with the natural to and fro of the sand between ocean and dunes.

There's a healthy protest happening - good luck to them - seems like a beautiful place - reminds me of Shanyuan.

Have you been there Dan?