Things to do in Miyakojima

Miyako-jima

Miyako Island is the main island of the Miyako Archipelago, located in the Pacific Ocean about 300 kilometers southwest of Okinawa Island, Okinawa Prefecture. The island is made up of raised coral reefs, so the entire island is relatively low. The water is clear and suitable for various marine sports, including diving. A triathlon competition is held here every year in early summer, and the spring professional baseball camp event is also famous. The most famous scenic spots on the island are Higashi Heian Nagasaki, Nishi Heian Nagasaki, Sand Mountain Beach, Forehama Beach, Ueno German Culture Village, Miyakojima Sea Treasure Museum, Miyako Traditional Crafts Research Center, etc. To visit these attractions, you usually choose to take a taxi or rent a car yourself. There are seven small islands around the island, and Ikema Island and Raijima Island are connected by a bridge. You can enjoy sightseeing by rental car or bicycle. Nishi Heian Cape is located at the northern end of the island, with a wide view and a long-distance view. At the eastern end of the island, in the area of ​​the famous Cape East Heian, strange rocks and boulders stand on the sea surface of the coral reef, and the scenery is refreshing and pleasant. Irabu Island and Shimoji Island: About 10 minutes by high-speed boat from Miyakojimadaira Port, about 25 minutes by ferry. There is the gray eagle, a migratory bird of the eagle family that flies every October, the ferry beach with its shattered beach, and Sawada Beach, famous for its unique scenery of huge rocks scattered in the shallow waters. Ikema Island: Connected to the main island of Miyako by the 1425-meter-long Ikema Ohashi Bridge, about 35 minutes by car from Miyako Airport. Senken Island has a radius of 10 kilometers. You can drive around the island for a week to see the scenery of the old port, old houses on the coastline, unknown beaches, and buy the local specialty "Dry Bonito". Lima Island: Located 1.5 kilometers southwest of Miyako Island, it is connected to Miyako Island by the 1690-meter-long Lima Bridge. It is about 20 minutes by car from Miyako Airport. The coral island has a radius of 9 km, on the other side is Maehama Beach, and on the right is Ryugu Observatory, a popular spot overlooking Raima Bridge. The local Nagama Beach is famous for its beautiful sunsets. Tarama Island and Mina Island: About 67 km from the western end of Miyako Island, about 2 hours by Tarama Ferry from Miyako Island's Taira Port. Rent a boat from Tarama Island to Minna Island for about 20 minutes. Tarama Island and Mina Island are the islands with the best-preserved coral in Okinawa Prefecture. Tarama Island has many sugarcane fields and cow grazing landscapes, and the island's windbreak forest and blessed forest are very spectacular. The entire island can be seen from the Yaeyama Astronomical Observatory. Ogami Island: Located about 1 km north of Miyako Island, you can take a ferry from Miyakojimajiri Port to Ogami Fishing Port. Currently, the island has about 50 residents.

Miyako Island Underwater Park

Miyako Island Underwater Park is an interactive tourist facility located in Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture, offering a unique opportunity to observe coral reefs and tropical fish without diving. This popular attraction allows visitors of all ages to easily enjoy the beautiful waters of Miyakojima. The most distinctive feature of this facility is its underwater observation deck. Descending the stairs inside the building, you can view the actual underwater scenery up close through observation windows installed at a depth of approximately 3-5 meters. You'll be able to observe colorful tropical fish, coral reefs, and sometimes even sea turtles swimming in their natural habitat, creating an immersive experience that makes you feel as if you're actually underwater. Another appealing feature is the ability to enjoy the underwater world regardless of weather conditions or physical condition. Even for those who find snorkeling or diving challenging, it offers a safe way to experience the ocean's beauty, making it highly recommended for families and first-time visitors to Miyakojima. The facility features exhibition spaces and information corners where visitors can learn about the marine ecosystem and creatures around Miyakojima. There are also interactive areas like touch pools, offering opportunities to learn by actually touching marine life. Additionally, the area surrounding the facility features a beautiful coastline where you can enjoy leisurely strolls or relax while taking in the natural scenery. The on-site cafes and shops offer light meals and souvenirs, making them perfect for a break during your sightseeing. Miyako Island Underwater Park is a precious spot where you can "see, learn, and feel" the rich marine charm of Miyakojima.

Yabiji Marine Park

Yae Kanze is located in the north of Miyako Island, about 5-22 kilometers north of Ikema Island. It is a huge coral reef group about 17 kilometers from north to south and about 6.5 kilometers from east to west. Yae Ganze is usually located under the seabed, but it will appear on the sea surface when the tide is high, especially in spring and summer, when the tide is low, you will see several island-like coral reefs scattered on the sea surface. This attracted the arrival of countless tourists from home and abroad, and Yae Kanase was called the "Illusory Continent". A traditional event called "Sanitu" is held on March 3 in the old calendar when the tidal range is high throughout the year. In recent years, it has been held under the name of "Yae Mise Matsuri", attracting many tourists. In addition, as a colony of coral reefs, Yae Kanze is also a good fishing ground, and it is also a good place for snorkeling with scuba diving and snorkeling. From January to March, you can see manta rays, and from April to October, you can see a variety of small fish, canine tuna of Yae Kanase, and coral spawning. This diving spot is famous for its famous coral groups. If you like colorful coral groups, you must not miss it.

Yonaha Beach

With Yonaha Beach located in the southwest ofMiyako-jima, it is known for its vast beach stretching approx. 7 km and its fine white sand. The beach facesKurima Islandacross the sea and is located in front of Miyakojima Tokyu Hotel & Resorts. Additionally, it is also well-known domestically and internationally for being the swimming venue for the triathlon.

Cape Higashi-Hennazaki

A beautiful cape located southeast of Miyako-jima, this cape extends approx. 2 km into the sea and is famous as a representative attraction of the island. It is also well-known both domestically and internationally for the triathlon cycling race held here every April. From the lighthouse at the tip of the cape, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the sea and the cape.

Ryūgu Castle Observation Deck

is an iconic attraction in Miyako-jima, where you can climb to the top to take in the beautiful scenery.

Shimoji-shima

toriike

Shimoji Island Tongya Pond is located in the southwest of Shimoji Island. It has been designated as a scenic spot in Japan and a national natural monument. It consists of two pools with a diameter of 75 meters, 55 meters, and a water depth of 50 meters and 40 meters. It is connected to the open sea. Pleasant view.

Sunayama beach

When the weather is good, the sunset is very beautiful and it is a good place to watch the sunset. But sometimes the clouds are thicker in the evening, but the scenery of the seaside itself is already very beautiful, and it is very pleasant to pass the time here. In addition, the cover of many souvenirs is this place.

Yukishio Salt Factory