Miyako Island

By: Unknown on 07.01

Miyako Island, located 300 kilometers south of Okinawa Main Island and 100 kilometers north of the Yaeyama Islands, is known for some of Japan's best beaches and as a great destination for snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs. The sub tropical climate provides mild weather year around.

Miyako is the fourth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture. It lacks any major hills or mountains and is mostly covered by sugar cane fields and a few towns, among which Hirara is the largest with a moderate range of restaurants and bars. Resort hotels and pensions are found across the island. Unlike other parts of Okinawa, Miyako is free of habu snakes.

BEACHES

Maehama Beach

Also known as Yonaha-Maehama Beach, this white sand beach in the southwestern corner of Miyako usually leads rankings of Japan's best beaches. It stretches seven kilometers and is suited for swimming and various other water sports. The beach is also known for beautiful sunsets. Its facilities include showers, toilets and a rental shop.

Yoshino Beach

Also referred to as Yoshino Kaigan, this is the best beach on Miyako for snorkeling. Swarms of colorful fish surround you as soon as you enter the water. And a few steps further starts the maze of a spectacular coral reef with an abundance of marine life. Beach facilities include showers, toilets and a rental shop.

Sunayama Beach

With its white sand, clear blue waters and rock formations, Sunayama Beach is another of Miyako's most beautiful beaches. It is reached in a short walk over a sand dune from the parking lot. Its facilities include showers and toilets.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS Besides its beaches, snorkeling and diving, Miyako offers a small range of other attractions, including places of natural beauty and cultural interest, and a couple of elegant bridges to neighboring islands. Cape Higashi-Hennazaki  Higashi-Hennazaki is the southeastern cape of triangle shaped Miyako. At the tip of the two kilometer long, narrow peninsula stands a handsome lighthouse. Lighthouse: 9:00 to 16:30, 150 yen Tuyumya Grave Located in central Hirara near the port, the Tuyumya Grave enshrines Nakasone Tuyumya (Toyomiya in standard Japanese), a leader of Miyako in the 16th century, and his descendants. The grave is built in a unique style and designated a national cultural asset. Freely accessible Tropical Botanical Garden  Miyakojima City Botanical Garden is a spacious park for recreation and the study of tropical plants in inland Miyako. Several walking trails pass by the over 1600 types of plants that include trees, bushes and flowers from Miyako and from Hawaii, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Freely accessible Ikema and Kurima Bridges Miyako is connected to two of its smaller, neighboring islands by gracefully shaped bridges. At the northern tip of Miyako, the 1.4 kilometer long Ikema Ohashi leads to Ikema Island, while the 1.7 kilometer long Kurima Ohashi connects Kurima Island with Miyako in the southwest. Freely traversable by car, motorcycle, bicycle or on foot GET THERE AND AROUND Miyako Airport has direct flights to Tokyo's Haneda Airport (2.5 to 3 hours, 1 flight / day ) Osaka's Kansai Airport (2 hours, 1 flight/day), Naha Airport on Okinawa Main Island (45 minutes, frequent flights), Ishigaki (30 minutes, 2-3 flights/day) and Tarama (20 minutes, 2 flights/day), a small island between Miyako and Ishigaki. Air passes can provide big savings on the Tokyo and Osaka routes. Ferry services between Ishigaki, Miyako and Okinawa Main Island were discontinued in 2008. HOW TO GET AROUND Miyako is a relatively small island, measuring about 25 kilometers from south to north and about 15 kilometers from east to west. A rental car is the most convenient means of getting around Miyako. Most rental car companies have an outlet at Miyako Airport. Driving on Miyako is easy and enjoyable. There are also rental shops for bicycles and scooters. Many hotels offer their guests free shuttle bus rides from/to the airport. Likewise, many leisure and water sport companies will pick up their customers from hotels free of charge. A bus network on the island is existent, but it is not easy to use, and bus connections are infrequent. Airport access is provided by taxis rather than buses. Source : http://www.japan-guide.com/