[Okinawa/Miyakojima] A hidden beach with a private feel!
by michoq
Jul 28, 2025
A trip to Miyako Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, covers natural scenery, transportation, cuisine, and experiences to help you easily plan your trip.
📍Location: Southwestern part of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, about 300 km from Naha City, it is the main island of the Miyako Islands.
🔻Features: Known for its transparent seawater "Miyako Blue", it has Japan's most beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and idyllic scenery, ideal for diving, self-driving, and slow travel.
🏝Must-Visit Attractions
1⃣ Yonaha Maehama Beach
◾️Highlights: One of Japan's top 100 beaches, with 7 km of white sand and gradient blue waters, the sunset is stunning.
◾️Activities: Swimming, snorkeling, beach walks, and parasol rentals (approx. JPY 2,000/day).
2⃣ Higashi-Hennazaki Cape
◾️Highlights: A cape extending into the sea, with a lighthouse and grasslands, ideal for cycling or hiking.
◾️Tips: It is windy, so it is recommended to wear a windproof jacket. It is most beautiful when wildflowers are in full bloom in spring.
3⃣ Kurima Island and Nagama Beach
◾️How to play: A 10-minute drive from Miyako Island via the Kurima Bridge, with few people and beautiful scenery, the seawater is as transparent as glass.
◾️Secret spot: A coral reef walkway like "Ryugu Castle" can be seen at low tide.
4⃣ Sunayama Beach
◾️Features: A hidden beach that can only be reached by crossing a small sand dune, with fine sand, ideal for taking Instagram-worthy photos.
5⃣ Ikema Bridge and Ikema Wetland
◾️Scenery: A 1.4 km long bridge over the sea, overlooking the wetland ecology and the blue sea and sky, with observation decks along the way.
🚏Transportation Guide
🔻How to get there:
◾️Flights: There are direct flights from Tokyo/Osaka/Naha (approx. 2 hours); a connecting flight from Naha to Miyako Island takes approx. 1 hour.
◾️Ferries: About 4 hours by boat from Naha Port (reservations required in peak season).
🔻Transportation on the island:
◾️Self-driving: Most recommended! Car rental is approx. JPY 6,000–10,000/day (international driving license required).
◾️Bus: Few services, it is recommended to download the "Miyako Island Bus" APP to check the timetable.
◾️Bicycle: Suitable for short trips, some hotels offer rentals.
🍽Local Cuisine
🔻Miyako Beef: Black-haired Wagyu beef raised on the island, recommended "Beki" Teppanyaki or Sukiyaki.
🔻Snow Salt Ice Cream: Made with Miyako Island's specialty snow salt, slightly salty and sweet, a must-try!
🔻Kaisendon: Fresh tuna, sea grapes, and turban shell sashimi rice bowl, recommended "Shima Shokudo".
🔻Okinawa Soba (Miyako Soba): Pork bone broth with local wheat noodles, simple and heartwarming.
🔻Sea Salt Workshop Experience: DIY your own salt jar at the "Snow Salt Se salt factory" and taste salty desserts.
💁Experiences
◾️Diving/Snorkeling:
▪️Recommended spots: Yabiji (Japan's largest coral reef group), offshore of Yonaha Maehama.
▪️Features: Swim with sea turtles and tropical fish, water visibility over 30m.
◾️SUP/Canoe: Paddle in the calm bay in the early morning or at dusk, such as the Irabu Island sea area.
◾️Stargazing: There is little light pollution on the island, and you can join a stargazing tour in summer.
◾️Fishing Experience: Charter a boat to fish for sea bream or squid at night (reservations required).
🏡Accommodation Recommendations
🔻High-end Resort:
◾️Shigira Resort: All-villa hotel with private beach and hot spring, from approx. JPY 50,000/night.
🔻Value for Money Choice:
◾️Miyako Island Tokyu Resort: Ocean view rooms + swimming pool, approx. JPY 20,000/night.
🔻Featured Minshuku:
◾️Traditional old folk house on the island: Experience a Japanese garden and local life, approx. JPY 10,000/night.
📌Travel Tips
✅Best season: April–October (summer water temperature is suitable for water activities, avoid the typhoon season in August–September).
✅Sun protection essentials: High SPF sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses (extremely strong UV rays).
✅Cash preparation: Some small shops only accept cash, it is recommended to bring enough Japanese yen.
✅Environmental protection: Sunscreen is prohibited in coral reef areas, and environmentally friendly sunscreen must be used.
✅Language: Japanese is the main language, simple English service is available at attractions/hotels, and a translation APP is more reassuring.
Miyako Island is an "isolated island paradise" to escape the hustle and bustle, suitable for a 3–4 day in-depth tour, slow down and feel the blue and green gifts of nature. Rent a car and explore freely along the coastline!
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