Miyako Island: The Ultimate Guide to Japan’s Beach-Lover’s Paradise
Mount Fuji, bullet trains, cherry blossoms, ramen, and the Tokyo skyline is what comes to mind when you think about Japan. Known as the Land of The Rising Sun, Japan is a country comprised of 6,852 islands with 430 being uninhabited.
You might never have considered going to Japan to discover some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Neither did I, till I discovered the Ryuku Islands, which happen to be part of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture.
GETTING TO MIYAJO ISLAND
Miyako-Jima is located about 300 km south of the island of Okinawa and it has some of the best beaches Japan has to offer. Its sub-tropical climate allows for the weather to be ideal for diving, snorkeling, and enjoying the beach.
Unfortunately, there are no ferry rides that will take you there if you are staying on Okinawa island. The only way to get there is by air. JAL and ANA connect Miyako Airport on Miyako Island.
- Haneda Airpot, in Tokyo (2.5 to 3 hours flight),
- Kansai Airport, in Osaka (2-hour flight),
- Nagoya’s Central Airport (45-minute flight)
- Naha Airport on Okinawa (45 minutes),
- Ishigaki, small nearby island (30-minute flight)
- Tarama, small nearby island (20 minutes)
One thing you might want to consider is renting a vehicle ahead of time. I got lucky and rented one as I arrived. It is a lot easier to have your own mode of transportation so you can go around and visit the neighboring islands and hit as many beaches as you can. This is the car I drove around in.
WHERE TO STAY IN MIYAKO ISLAND
I stayed at RuGu Glamping Resort. It sits a 15-minute drive from Miyako Airport on the southernmost tip of Kurima-Jima (Kurima Island). Nagasaki beach, which is beautiful, is located just a minute walk away. Without sight of private housing nearby, it brings this ambiance of being in the wilderness that gives starlit sky with the sound of crashing waves in the background.
The room are like ship containers converted into housing units. They have lots of windows that provide plenty of natural light into the building. The deck area is provides a place to sit out and enjoy a picnic.
Complimentary breakfast is delivered every morning to your room. A delicious BBQ dinner option is available but requires a reservation. Typically Agu pork with some island ingredients are served.
If you are not in the mood for dinner but want some drinks, their outdoor dining area has a bar that serves delicious cocktails and some beers to quench your thirst. The location of RuGu provides little light pollution, which is perfect for stargazing. I got lucky and saw some shooting stars!
THINGS TO DO IN MIYAKO ISLAND
There are beaches everywhere on this island and I recommend you drive around and find yourself a spot that suits your mood. You won’t be disappointed by exploring different beachheads. The pure white sands dive straight into the emerald-like waters, which blends into the blue sky horizon.
With many beaches in the island here are some of my recommendations you should start with.
Shigira Beach
This beach is privately owned by the Shigara Resort’s Hotel Breeze Bay Marina, which is also a place you could stay. I found parking not too far from it putting me at an easy walking distance to the beach. This beach is open to the public and you do not have to be staying at the resort to enjoy it. There are luxurious resting bays and sun lounging rentals available. You can also head towards the beach house to enjoy some drinks.
Thanks to a local I had a beer with and whom I talked about wanting to swim with sea turtles, I learned about this spot. This beach is the premier place to swim with wild sea turtles on this island. You have to be patient and willing to spend some time out there. It took me about 20 minutes to find my first one, and afterward, they seemed to be everywhere.
Yohana-Maehama Beach
This beach has about 8 kilometers of turquoise waters. The white sand is so clean you would think you are staring at a postcard. Here you can rent jet-skis, kayaks, and play volleyball. The sunsets are gorgeous and at night you can get lucky and see the milky way! Even on a cloudy day, I had the opportunity to see it.
NOTE: You can find various beaches where the milky way is visible. The best island to do so is Kurima Island, due to it being surrounded by sugar cane fields.
Ikema Ohashi Bridge Parking Spot
On your way to Ikema Island, there is a public rest area I recommend stopping at. It is a very tiny island that the bridge runs through, which is inhabited by a rest area. You can find it here. I was very impressed with this area, due to the ability to walk out to the water and stand on pockets of sand that are clearly visible. It is a beautiful place to take photos of families, couples, or the landscape. Even a selfie would be great here!
IRABU OHASHI BRIDGE
The Irabu Ohashi bridge links Miyako island and Irabu island and has a total length of 3,540 meters. It was constructed in 2015 as a way to promote tourism, commerce, and transport between the islands.
Driving through the bridge gives you an amazing view. The sun’s reflection really brings out the emerald green sea colors that can be mesmerizing. At the high point of the bridge there is a place to park your vehicle and overlook the beautiful ocean.
JAPAN’S “GREAT BARRIER” REEF, YABIJI
Miyakojima offers some of the most beautiful and pristine waters for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Just 50 minutes north on a boat ride from Miyako island, you will find Japan’s largest coral reef group known as Yabiji. A shorter route would be to leave from Ikema Island, which only takes about 20 minutes. Covering 119 sq km you can explore over 100 coral reefs.
There is no other way to get there but by boat. I took a chartered boat from Hirara Port on Miyako Island. I didn’t book in advance and got really lucky. When I arrived the boat was about to leave but they had room for one more passenger and let me on. They had snorkel gear available, but I had brought my own.
You definitely want to plan this portion of your trip ahead of time. This is a must!
CONCLUSION
The Miyako Islands is truly a hidden gem of Japan. The beaches and its bright waters are its most famous attractions. The waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. There is so much more to explore of these islands
Where are your favorite beaches you have been to? Leave a comment and message below.
