Visit Miyakojima Island and Experience the Best Beaches of the Okinawa Islands

Visit the nearby island amidst a sea of blue

Next to Miyakojima Island are other islands connected to Miyako by bridges, making it easy to hop from one island to another. Blue waters in different sparkling hues surround each island — making each island worth visiting to see the views.

Irabujima Island

To the northwest of Miyakojima Island lies Irabujima Island, which is connected to Miyakojima Island by the Irabu Bridge. The Irabu Bridge is over 3,000 meters long, making it the longest toll-free bridge in Japan. Its crystal-clear waters offer excellent underwater visibility, and the diverse marine life makes it a diving paradise.

If you want to go swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, you can check out Toguchinohama Beach, known for its warm, calm waters and soft sand. Sawadanohama, another beach, has shallow waters and unique rock formations, making it a haven for photographers who want to capture the landscape.

If you are interested in cave diving, you can check out Toriike Pond. This mysterious pond with a mermaid legend is designated as a natural treasure of the Okinawa prefecture. There are two ponds, one large and one small, have diameters of 75 meters and 55 meters, respectively, and depths of 45 meters and 25 meters. Underwater are connected to the open sea. It is famous as a diving point, and this unique topography makes it a favorite destination for advanced divers visiting Miyakojima Island.

You can also check out the diverse scenic views around the island. Climb the Makiyama Observation Deck at the island's highest point for some breathtaking views of Irabujima and its surrounding ocean. The Irabu Bridge also offers excellent vistas of the stunning blue sea.

Sarahama Fishing Port, a quaint fishing town built against a hillside, is the major center for bonito fishing. You can wander around the town to enjoy the views and unique culture. Stop by a local diner for a meal and enjoy their fresh seafood.

Ikemajima Island

North of Miyakojima Island is a small, picturesque island named Ikemajima Island. It is known for stunning beaches, diverse marine life, and unique ecosystems. Ikema Island lies west of Miyako Island and is accessible by the Ikema Bridge, making it convenient to travel between the two.

Ikemajima Island itself is a treasure trove of stunning landscapes and undisturbed shorelines. It has preserved its rich natural environment and traditional culture — both of which have existed since ancient times. Fishing is the island’s primary industry, and you can try your hand at fishing with the guidance of local fishermen.

Yabiji, one of Japan’s largest coral reefs, lies off the northeast coast of Ikema Island. Nicknamed the “Phantom Continent,” the reefs only become visible above the sea’s surface during low spring tides.

Other spots offer stunning scenes, such as Funakusu Beach, known for its smooth sand and emerald-green waters. Ikizu Beach is another picturesque place with a more secluded experience and unique rock formations. You can also visit Ikema Marshland, home to a wildlife sanctuary for various migratory birds.

Kurimajima Island

Kurimajima Island is a small, quiet island located to the southwest of Miyakojima Island. It is connected to Miyako through Kurima Bridge and is easily accessible by car or bicycle.

It is home to some secluded beaches that offer amazing sunset views and stunning star-studded night skies. Clear, azure waters surround the island. You can check out Nagamahama, a popular beach for swimming and snorkeling, or Musnun, another beautiful, more secluded beach with deep blue sea waters. Tourists can also go snorkeling and diving to explore the diverse marine life.

Kurimajima Island has several scenic spots and panoramic views. Check out the Ryugujo Castle Observatory, a three-story structure modeled after Ryugujo Castle, a legendary underwater castle in several Japanese and Chinese myths. Atop the observatory, you can see Miyako Island and Irabu Island.

For history lovers, Kurimajima Island has Kurima-ga, where the island’s historic wells are. These wells were the island's only water source until 1975, when the modern water system was established. Today, the wells are preserved and commemorated for their historical significance.

Relax in Miyakojima Island’s breathtaking vistas

Miyakojima Island is a tropical paradise with many things to see and do. From stunning beaches to unique ecosystems, it is an island teeming with natural wildlife and picturesque places.

Yonaha-Maehama, Yoshino, and Sunayama — beaches that showcase the island's stunning natural beauty

Yonaha-Maehama is one of those leading the ranking of the best beaches in the Okinawa Islands. Its sandy white beach stretches several kilometers and is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. You can go swimming or do other underwater sports. You can also sunbathe and relax while gazing out at the waters.

Yoshino, another beach, is the perfect haven for snorkelers. Once you enter the water, you’ll be surrounded by swarms of colorful fish. A few steps out, you’ll see the vibrant coral reefs that showcase diverse marine life.

Sunayama Beach is known for its picturesque natural arch that provides a stunning backdrop for a photo. It also offers breathtaking ocean views and is a popular spot for watching sunsets.

Shimajiri Mangrove — the largest mangrove in Miyakojima Island

Miyakojima Island is also home to Shimajiri Mangrove Forest, the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Miyako Islands. It lies near Shimajiri village in the northern part of Miyakojima Island.

Unlike typical mangrove forests that thrive near river mouths, the Shimajiri mangrove grows in brackish water created by seawater and freshwater from natural springs. It houses a variety of wildlife, including various species of birds, crabs, and mudskippers that can be seen during low tide, and several insects and amphibians.

If you want to explore the mangrove, you can do so through the wooden walkway that stretches through the forest. The walkway allows visitors to explore the area without disturbing the ecosystem, providing an easy stroll to observe the flora and fauna of the mangrove and the wildlife in it.

Enjoy a beautiful starry sky at night

Miyakojima Island is renowned for stunning starry night skies, making it a popular destination for those who love stargazing. Because of the island’s low level of light pollution, you can easily have clear views of various constellations.

The Milky Way is particularly prominent in the night sky from June to November. From April to June, you can see other constellations, including the Southern Cross.

Miyakojima Island has several prime locations for stargazing, including the following:

Higashi Hennazaki: located at the easternmost tip of Miyakojima Island, provides stunning, unobstructed views of the starry sky

Musunun Beach: the perfect spot for a quiet night under the stars

Makiyama Observatory: located on Irabu Island, provides panoramic views of the night sky

You can also hop on some tours with knowledgeable guides who know the best spots and can tell you more about the constellations.

Learn more about the island’s culture

Miyakojima Island has a rich culture that you can enjoy in various ways, such as its products, festivals, and food.

Miyako-jofu — one of Japan’s three major hemp fabrics

On the island, you may come across Miyako-jofu, a traditional fabric produced in Miyako Island. It is renowned for its high quality and intricate patterns, making it one of Japan’s three major hemp fabrics. It has also been designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Asset of Japan.

Miyako-jofu is a hemp fabric woven with threads made from ramie fibers, which are torn one by one by hand. The entire process, from ramie cultivation to kinutauchi (cloth beating), is done on Miyakojima Island, Okinawa prefecture. Ramie grows in about 40 days and can be harvested five times a year and is a plant that grows wild in the Okinawa region. The thin threads like spider silk made from ramie are repeatedly dyed with Ryukyu indigo, which is a traditional tie-dye method known as kukurizome. and woven over a long period of time. Since the entire process is done by hand, it is not unusual for a single piece of fabric to take several years to complete.

You can learn more about Miyakojima ramie, its history, and the entire textile-making process at the Miyakojima City Traditional Crafts Center. They exhibit and sell kimonos and bolts of fabric made from Miyako-jofu. They have other items to check out that you may want to bring home for souvenirs.

Miyakojima City Traditional Crafts Center

Address: 1190–188 Uenonobaru, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture 906-0201

Opening hours: From April to September 9:00 – 17:00 / From October to March 9:00 – 16:30

Closed on Sunday, New Years holidays and other holidays in Okinawa prefecture

Paantu Festival — an important intangible folk culture of Miyakojima Island

Miyakojima Island is also home to the Paantu Festival, a unique event that involves supernatural creatures, masks, and mud. It is held during the ninth month of the lunisolar calendar (sometime between late September to mid-October). The exact dates are only disclosed a few days before the event to manage the influx of tourists and maintain the festival’s authenticity.

The Paantu Festival is believed to be an ancient form of exorcism, aimed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck to residents. “Paantu” refers to the supernatural beings that embody this spirit of fortune.

The local community selects three men who dress as Paantu. They put on elaborate costumes made of branches, leaves, and mud and a wooden mask with large foreheads, small eyes, and thin mouths.

During the festival, the Paantu roam around the town, smearing sacred mud on anyone they encounter, whether people, homes, or cars, and especially newborns. This act is considered a blessing meant to ward off bad luck.

The Paantu often chase after adults and children who try to avoid getting covered in mud. It creates a playful yet chaotic atmosphere as they pin down the ones who try to escape to ensure they receive their blessing.

Note: They will apply the sacred mud to anyone, so please only participate if you do not mind being mudded.

Island food

Miyakojima Island is also home to several delectable dishes, as the island has abundant natural resources.

Check out Miyako soba, a variation of Okinawa soba but with thinner, flat noodles and a lighter flavor. Unlike other soba found in Japan, Miyako's toppings, such as sliced pork, green onions, and sometimes fish cake, are hidden beneath the noodles.

The island is also home to a local wagyu Miyako beef known for its rich marbling and tenderness. This is perhaps due to how the cattle are raised in a stress-free environment. They are fed on straw and mineral-rich groundwater, producing high-quality meat with a delicious flavor.

Bonito fish, locally known as katsuo, is a significant part of the island’s fishing culture. Miyakojima Island is famous for its pole-and-line fishing technique, especially in the waters around Sarahama Port, a major center for bonito fishing. Approximately 80% of Okinawa’s bonito catch comes from there.

Miyakojima Island is also known for its high-quality mangoes, particularly the Irwin variety. The sweet and rich flavor is due to the island’s warm climate and fertile soil, which aid in cultivating this delicious fruit.

Get to know Miyakojima Island’s people through experiential tours

The people of Miyakojima Island have always lived in harmony with the sea. They have accepted its blessings and faced the harshness of storms and other natural calamities. During such times, they would pray to the sea gods for a safe voyage and a good catch.

You can go on some experiential tours that will let you experience Miyakojima’s culture and traditions that have been preserved and passed from one generation to another.

A local fishing tour under the guidance of local fishermen

This tour takes you to Miyakojima Island's prayer sites and shows where the people would petition the gods for safe travel and bountiful catches. After that, you’ll get to go on a fishing tour with the help of local fishermen, who will take you to Yabiji.

Sample Itinerary

9:30 AM: Meet at Ikema-shokudo restaurant (near Ikema Fishing Port) in Ikemajima Island

9:45 AM: Start of the tour. Stroll through key points in Nakamagusu, Ikema Distant Base, Mutou, Uharuzu, and Nabba where prayers are made, and catches are offered

10:45 AM: Depart Ikema Port for Yabiji where you can enjoy cruising and fishing

2:15 PM: Arrive back at Ikema Port and walk to Ikema-shokudo restaurant where you will enjoy a late seafood lunch.

Getting to and around Miyakojima Island

Miyakojima Island is only accessible by plane. You can fly into Tokyo or Osaka from anywhere in the world and take a flight to Miyako airport in Miyakojima Island directly or via Naha airport. While there is a local bus service around the island, it isn’t easy to access. You can ask your hotel to organize a shuttle bus or rent a car or bicycle to go around instead.

Get the JAL Japan Explorer Pass and explore Miyakojima Island today.

Special thanks to Chikako Yoshihama