Miyako Islands
Japan · Asia
About Miyako Islands
The Miyako Islands (宮古列島 Miyako-rettō) are in Okinawa prefecture, Japan.
Miyako Islands travel guide
Understand
Miyako, while being a high traffic tourist destination for Japanese tourists, is farther off the radar from the international traveler. It has good diving and excellent beaches, local Okinawan cuisine, and culture. These islands have truly embraced the Okinawan slow, relaxed lifestyle. In Miyako you can do everything from lounge on Maehama beach, play beach volleyball, play golf, make your own shisa, listen to the sanshin, or, if you're feeling very competitive, participate in the local Strongman Triathlon, held every April.
Getting there
Most visitors arrive at Miyako Airport (MMY IATA) in Hirara, Miyako. JAL, ANA and RAC have frequent services to Naha and daily services to major mainland cities including Tokyo and Osaka. In 2019, Shimojishima Airport (SHI IATA) opened on the island of Shimoji, linked to Miyako and Irabu by a series of bridges. This is the main low-cost carrier airport in the islands, with services to major Japanese cities on Skymark and Jetstar as well as flights from Seoul, Korea on Jin Air, the islands' only direct international connection. Scheduled ferry service to the rest of Okinawa was discontinued in 2008.
Getting around
The main island of Miyako, Miyako, is only about 81 square miles, but even so it's fairly sizable considering the main attractions for the island are on its outer edges. Car, motorbikes, and bicycle rentals are available, as well as a periodic bus and numerous taxis. Bridges connect Miyako to both Irabu and Kurema Islands, and a ferry travels to Irabu almost every half hour. The far-flung island of Tarama can be reached from Miyako by both plane (20 min) and ferry (2 hours).
Do
Maehama beach on the south west corner of the island is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Japan. White sandy beaches, warm, aqua blue, calm water, and an excellent view of Kurema Island are only a few reasons this is one of the top spots to get some sun. Beach volleyball is an excellent way to spend some time at this excellent, flat, beach.
Drink & nightlife
Kikunotsuyu Shuzo Co., 290 Nishizato, Hirara, ☏ +81-980-72-2669.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.