Miyako Island

城市概覽

Most of the Miyako's 50,000 or so residents live in Hirara (平良), the main business and entertainment district on the island. The rest of the island is pretty much undeveloped, with the exception of a few coastal tourist spots, especially Shigira (シギラ) in the south. Sugar cane and to a lesser extent tobacco are the island's cash crops. There is not much to see, not much of a downtown, no man-made wonders to behold, no rivers to explore and no mountains to climb. Don't despair! The lack of rivers and mountains means there is no silty run-off to cloud the water. Miyako and the two connected islands, Kurima (来間) to the west and Ikema (池間) to the north, have miles of nameless white sand beaches and clear blue water. On a moonlit night you can wade out chest deep to watch the "yakouchu" (夜光虫, Noctiluca scintillans) and still see your toes wiggle. During the day the snorkeling, diving and other beach activities are as good as it gets in Okinawa.

Tourist information site The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site, also covering five smaller islands nearby.

如何抵達

By plane 1 Miyako Airport (MMY IATA). Offers direct connections to Tokyo (Haneda), Naha and Ishigaki on JTA and ANA. Chances are you will be transferring in Naha so consider spending some time on the main Okinawa Island as well. See also Irabu#By plane for Shimojishima Airport SHI IATA, which serves various low-cost carriers and is only a 25-min drive away.

By ferry As of April 2024, there are no scheduled ferry services from outside the Miyako Islands.

當地交通

By bus Public transportation on Miyako is limited to buses that run every couple hours. Though they are fairly cheap (max ¥500 one way), they are inconvenient and seem to run on island time. Ask for information at your lodge or hotel, but don't be surprised if they don't have any more information than what is printed in the local tourist magazines.

By taxi Taxis are a viable option especially if two or more people are heading to one location for the day. Expect to pay about ¥2,000 from downtown Hirara to Maehama Beach, and arrange for return.

By car

Car rental is fairly expensive and scooter and bicycle rental isn't much cheaper. That being said, having your own transportation is key to enjoying what Miyako has to offer. There are several national agencies at the airport charging ¥5,000 or more per day. You must have an International Driver's Permit and a valid driver's license to drive in Japan.

Kagisuma Rent-a-Car (call for delivery), ☏ +81 980-76-3722. This is a local operation run by a very nice couple. Cars are well maintained and fully insured. Remove all your trash and empties, and fill the tank before returning the car. It is possible to arrange to drop off your car at the airport, lock the keys in the car and phone to tell them the parking space. ¥4,000 per day with discounts for long term rental. Tomikusa Motors, 288 Nishizato, ☏ +81 980-72-3031. Daily 09:00-18:00. 50cc scooter ¥2,000/day, mountain bike ¥1,500/day

必看景點

Beaches clockwise from Hirara Port:

Sunayama is nice place to take a photo but not a particularly good place to swim. Drive 30 minutes north on Rt. 83 to Rt. 230 and cross the bridge to Ikema. Get a drink at the tourist trap, climb up and look at the view. Continue clockwise around the island just to say you did it, and less than a kilometer from the tourist trap you will find two excellent beaches named after their prominent features, one called Rope and one called Block. There are no signs, but maybe a car or two parked beside the road. Block has some nice coral, just be careful of the currents. Next head way back south and east on Rt. 83 in the direction of Gusukube. On the way you will find Aragusuku, a great shallow beach with lots more fish and coral. Two groups rent stuff and sell refreshments during the summer months. Go to the left side and feel free to sit at the tables. The proprietress is the chamisen playing, occasionally booze drinking, beach loving Yasuyo-san. She also runs a nearby pension. Yoshino is another decent place a couple kilometers down the road. They charge ¥500 for parking. Though it's not actually a beach, follow the signs to Higashihenazaki is a picturesque point with a lighthouse. As it's the easternmost point on the island, it is a popular place to watch the sun rise. Head back to Rt. 83 was in the direction of Bora and the very commercial Bora Beach Park. Stop in or continue west on Rt. 235 to Shigira a once wild place that has been taken over by mercenaries from Tokyo. The rocky beach is now manicured but still open to the public so you can bring your cooler and chill at their expense. The cove is fairly well protected, so a good option for kids or when the weather is bad. Swim out to the middle and just before the rock formation there are some anonome fish. Continue west on Rt. 235, cross the bridge to Kurima. Park in the lot on the left just after you cross and take the stone path 10 minutes to Tako. There are fish in the tide po

體驗活動

Scuba diving is probably Miyako's main attraction. Everyone on Miyako knows someone who "has a boat." Usually they can get you a small discount or at least some priority. If you don't like what one person says ask another.

Aqua Story (アクアストーリー), 市平良字下里482-1 (call or have someone at your lodge call for pick-up), ☏ +81 980-73-5432. The staff may not speak English, but this is a reputable dive shop Other activities:

Shi-Sa Monogatari, 246 Shimozato, Hirara (Across from Painagama Beach.), ☏ +81 980-75-0660. Daily 10:00-20:00. Make your own shi-sa. Perfect for a rainy day. If you like what you create you can have it fired and shipped anywhere in Japan. ¥2,500.

購物

Miyako-jima doesn't really have any particular claim to fame in the souvenir area. Most things available in Miyako come from the main island of Okinawa or mainland Japan. There are locally grown fruits, mangoes (June to August), dragon fruit (May to October) and island bananas (year round), but they are not unique to Miyako and are subject to import regulations. Miyako-jima salt holds the Guinness World Record for the salt with the most complex mineral make-up. The salt is available in souvenir stores, supermarkets and a salt shop on Nishizato street. Awamori (泡盛) is available everywhere and though it isn't made on Miyako, Taragawa (多奈川) is a popular brand. Kuusu (古酒) is aged awamori and a bit more expensive.

Potan (ポタン). Local craftsmen. Kaikoubou (海工房). Handmade jewelry by local craftsmen. Sabo, Across from the A&W on Shimozato O-dori. A T-shirt shop. Decent designs that usually say Miyako on them. Uminchu Miyako (海人宮古), 2 minutes on foot, past A&W and the Sabo shop. A T-shirt shop. Catch 22 here: the fact that you are buying an overpriced T-shirt means that you are not 海人, but the stuff inside is cool just the same. Miyako Mokkou Gei (宮古木工芸). A sanshin (Okinawan stringed instrument) and other woodcraft shop.

美食

Self-Catering Max Valu. Has a pretty decent selection of stuff to keep you nouris