Head to sunny and peaceful Miyakojima for cycling and coral reef diving

Escape the bustling shopping streets and neon nightlife to the tranquil Miyako Island where you can spend some quality time relaxing on the beach. Here, you can enjoy sunbathing and gazing at the sea, washing away the worries and stress of daily life. Explore Miyako Island on foot or by bike and find peace of mind.

Natural scenery not to be missed:

1. Glittering sandy beaches and azure waters.
2. The lighthouse at Cape Higashi-Anana.
3. The botanical gardens with over 1,600 species of plants and trees.

Transportation: Flying is the only way to get to Miyakojima. There are direct flights to Miyakojima from Tokyo Haneda Airport, Osaka Kansai Airport, Nagoya Centrair International Airport, Naha Airport, Ishigaki and Tarama on the main island of Okinawa.

After arriving on the island, some hotels will arrange shuttle buses to pick up guests, but local buses are not very convenient. The best way to visit is to rent a car or take a taxi. It only takes about 3-4 hours to drive around the island. You can also rent a bicycle or a scooter.

Knowledge Supply Station: The Miyako Islands are composed of nine inhabited islands. Miyakojima is the largest island and is almost as close to Taiwan as Okinawa. Miyakojima is the fourth largest island in the Okinawa Islands. It has white sandy beaches and coral reefs. Most of the island's population lives in Taira on the north shore. Miyakojima is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and clear blue waters. The south coast is mainly composed of cliffs, while the north, east and west coasts have many white sandy beaches.

Four of the islands are connected to Miyako-jima by bridges: Irabu Island to the west and Shimoji Island, Kurima Island, and Ikema Island to the north. Each island has miles of white sandy beaches and clear blue waters, making it a popular destination for tourists.





Explore Miyakojima. The sunny beaches are a big draw for visitors to Miyakojima, but take the time to explore and you'll find more.

Cape Higashi-Anana is located at the southeastern tip of Miyakojima, with a beautiful white lighthouse at the end of a 2-kilometer-long peninsula. Here you can enjoy the magnificent blue Pacific Ocean. The Tomb of Tomi-Chika is located in central Taira near the port, and is dedicated to Nakamune Tomi-Chika, the 16th-century leader of Miyakojima.

Tax Monument. Taira is home to a tropical botanical garden with more than 1,600 different plants and trees. You can leisurely enjoy the exotic flowers and trees in the garden while visiting the tax monument, the head tax stone. This 1.4-meter-tall stone monument was used exclusively by local tax collectors in ancient times, and citizens who were taller than this stone monument reached tax age.

Activities in Miyakojima. In addition to beautiful beaches, there are many things to do in Miyakojima. Snorkeling or scuba diving in the coral reefs is very popular. In recent years, snorkeling while swimming with sea turtles has become increasingly popular.

You can also play golf, cycle or go fishing. Fishing is also very popular because of the abundance of fish that can be caught here. Miyakojima is particularly famous for its seafood, including sashimi. Miyakojima tradition is to eat sashimi with fiery "island pepper" and soy sauce.