After a surprisingly windy first day in Miyakojima, we finally woke up feeling fully rested and ready to explore. One of the things that immediately stood out about Miyakojima was how different it felt from mainland Japan. Life moves at a slower pace here. The roads are quiet, the sea seems to be visible from almost every direction, and there is a laid-back island atmosphere that makes you want to slow down and simply enjoy the moment.
November turned out to be an excellent time to visit. The weather was cool and comfortable, without the intense humidity and heat of Okinawa’s summer months. It was perfect for driving around the island and stopping wherever something caught our attention.
Breakfast at WILD CAT Bakery
We started the morning at WILD CAT Bakery 沖縄宮古島店【テイクアウト専門店】.
Google Maps:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ta3HAJKgdWL1nqyVA
Despite arriving relatively early, there was already a long queue outside. We ended up waiting for around thirty minutes before entering.
The bakery itself was quite small, with only a few groups allowed inside at any one time. Thankfully, once customers entered, service moved efficiently. Since the weather was pleasant and cool, the wait never felt particularly frustrating. Instead, it became one of those relaxing travel moments where you simply stand outside, watch local life go by and enjoy the slower pace of island living.
The popularity of the bakery quickly became obvious after tasting the bread. Freshly baked and packed with flavour, it was a wonderful start to the day.
With breakfast sorted, we set off for a leisurely drive around the island.
A Visit to Miyako Shrine
Our first stop was Miyako Shrine (宮古神社).
As the principal Shinto shrine of Miyakojima, it serves as one of the island’s most important spiritual sites. The shrine traces its origins to the late sixteenth century and is deeply connected to the Ryukyu Kingdom, which once ruled Okinawa and maintained extensive trade networks throughout East and Southeast Asia.
Unlike the grand shrines found in Kyoto or Tokyo, Miyako Shrine feels intimate and peaceful. Surrounded by greenery and overlooking the sea, it reflects the unique blend of Japanese and Ryukyuan traditions that characterise Okinawa.
Walking through the grounds, there was a sense of calm that perfectly matched the island atmosphere. It was quiet, uncrowded and offered a pleasant contrast to the busy tourist attractions found elsewhere in Japan.
Travel Tip
Parking is available near the shrine, making it an easy stop for those exploring Miyakojima by rental car.
Driving Through Shimojishima
From Miyako Shrine, we continued towards Shimojishima (Shimoji Island).
Historically, Shimojishima was known primarily for fishing and agriculture, but in more recent decades it became famous for its pilot training facilities due to the island’s favourable flying conditions and long runway extending towards the ocean.
Today, visitors come for something entirely different: breathtaking coastal scenery.
Driving around the island reveals dramatic coastlines, crystal-clear waters and some of the most photogenic viewpoints in Okinawa.
One of the joys of Miyakojima is that sightseeing rarely feels rushed. Instead of ticking attractions off a checklist, we found ourselves simply stopping whenever a beautiful view appeared.
Discovering Miyakojima’s Famous Snow Salt at Yukishio Salt Factory
One of our next stops was the Yukishio Salt Factory (雪塩ミュージアム).
Google Maps:
https://share.google/jOVS8LHEj1H8apjML
Miyakojima is famous throughout Japan for its salt production, and Yukishio is arguably the island’s most recognisable brand. The name Yukishio literally means “snow salt”, referring to its fine, powdery texture that resembles freshly fallen snow.
What makes Miyakojima salt unique is the island’s geology. Unlike many coral islands, Miyakojima has a porous limestone structure that naturally filters seawater underground before it returns to the ocean. This process enriches the water with minerals, producing salt that is prized for its mild flavour and mineral content.
The factory museum provides a fascinating introduction to the production process, while the gift shop offers an impressive range of local products ranging from seasoning salts to chocolates, cookies and skincare products.
Of course, one of the highlights is the famous Yukishio soft serve ice cream. The slight saltiness enhances the sweetness of the ice cream and creates a surprisingly addictive combination. It might sound unusual at first, but after one bite, it becomes easy to understand why it is one of Miyakojima’s most popular snacks.
What to Buy at Yukishio
- Yukishio Snow Salt
- Salt-flavoured chocolates
- Salt cookies
- Local seasonings
- Okinawan souvenir gift sets
Travel Tip
Admission to the factory area is free, making it an easy stop while exploring the northern side of Miyakojima.
Fresh Sugar Cane Juice at Miyako Kibi Chaya
As we continued our drive across the island, we passed countless sugar cane fields stretching towards the horizon.
Sugar cane has shaped Okinawa’s history for centuries. During the Ryukyu Kingdom period, sugar became one of the kingdom’s most valuable export products and played an important role in regional trade networks connecting Japan, China and Southeast Asia.
To experience this agricultural heritage firsthand, we stopped at Miyako Kibi Chaya.
Tabelog:
https://tabelog.com/en/okinawa/A4705/A470503/47029427/
This charming roadside café specialises in fresh sugar cane beverages made from locally grown cane.
The sugar cane drink was wonderfully refreshing. Unlike processed sugar, the flavour was light and naturally sweet with subtle grassy notes. It felt like drinking the essence of Miyakojima’s countryside.
The drinks also made for great photographs. The vibrant green matcha drink contrasted beautifully with the golden sugar cane juice, while a fresh piece of sugar cane resting across the cup served as a reminder of where the drink originated.
Looking out at the surrounding landscape, it became easy to understand why sugar cane remains such an iconic part of Okinawan life. The fields are everywhere, swaying gently in the wind and forming a defining feature of the island’s scenery.
Crossing Ikema Bridge to Ikema Island
One of the highlights of the day was driving across Ikema Bridge (池間大橋).
Completed in 1992, the bridge connects Miyakojima to Ikema Island and stretches approximately 1.4 kilometres across remarkably clear turquoise waters.
The view alone makes the crossing worthwhile.
The ocean beneath the bridge displayed countless shades of blue, creating one of the most beautiful driving experiences on the island.
Once on Ikema Island, we slowed down even further. Rather than chasing attractions, we spent time relaxing, enjoying gelato and simply taking in the scenery.
This became a recurring theme throughout our Miyakojima trip. There are certainly famous sights to visit, but often the greatest pleasure comes from sitting near the beach, enjoying a cold drink and appreciating the tranquillity of island life.
Lunch at Harry’s Shrimp Truck
One of the most memorable stops of the day was Harry’s Shrimp Truck.
The bright yellow bus immediately catches your attention, and the location perfectly captures the relaxed surfer culture that has become associated with Okinawa’s beach lifestyle.
The restaurant is famous for its garlic shrimp rice, inspired by the shrimp trucks of Hawaii’s North Shore. This connection is not entirely surprising, as both Okinawa and Hawaii share similar tropical climates, military histories and strong beach cultures.
Even if garlic shrimp is not your favourite dish, visiting is still worthwhile.
Sitting outdoors on the grass, surrounded by ocean breezes and open skies, was an experience in itself. There was no rush, no pressure and no distractions—just good food and a peaceful island atmosphere.
Sometimes travel memories are created less by the food and more by the setting, and Harry’s Shrimp Truck was one of those places.
Cape Higashi-Hennazaki: The Edge of Miyakojima
In the afternoon, we drove to Cape Higashi-Hennazaki (東平安名崎), one of Miyakojima’s most famous natural landmarks.
The cape stretches roughly two kilometres into the Pacific Ocean and is designated as one of Japan’s Scenic Beauty Spots.
The moment we arrived, the wind made its presence known.
The cape is famous for strong coastal winds, and on our visit the gusts were incredibly powerful. Walking along the peninsula felt like battling nature itself, yet the dramatic scenery made every step worthwhile.
Standing at the edge of the cape, surrounded by endless ocean on both sides, provided a sense of scale that photographs struggle to capture.
The historic lighthouse at the tip has guided ships through these waters for decades and remains one of Miyakojima’s most iconic landmarks.
Travel Tip
- Visit in the late afternoon for softer lighting.
- Bring a light jacket, even in November.
- Wear secure footwear as the wind can be surprisingly strong.
Dinner at Watowa Miyakojima
After returning to the hotel and taking a short rest, we headed out for dinner at Watowa Miyakojima.
Google Maps:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XVoc4L5mS9jAZYmMA
The restaurant was nearly full when we arrived, so making a reservation is highly recommended.
Thankfully, we managed to get a table, and it turned out to be one of the best meals of the trip.
Everything we ordered was excellent.
The grilled onigiri had a wonderfully smoky aroma, while the grilled meats were cooked beautifully and packed with flavour. The restaurant showcased the strengths of Okinawan dining—simple ingredients prepared exceptionally well.
The beautifully grilled beef, perfectly pink in the centre, was particularly memorable and easily became one of the standout dishes of our Miyakojima stay.
After a satisfying dinner, we made our way back to the hotel, ending another wonderful day on the island.
Transport Tips for Miyakojima
Unlike Naha on Okinawa Main Island, Miyakojima has limited public transport options.
For visitors hoping to explore places such as:
- Miyako Shrine
- Shimojishima
- Ikema Bridge
- Ikema Island
- Harry’s Shrimp Truck
- Cape Higashi-Hennazaki
renting a car is by far the most convenient option.
Driving Tips
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required for most foreign visitors.
- Roads are generally quiet and easy to navigate.
- Parking is usually free at major attractions.
- Fuel stations become less frequent outside central Miyakojima, so keep an eye on your fuel level.
For us, the freedom of having a car transformed the trip. Some of the best moments were not the planned stops, but the spontaneous pauses at scenic viewpoints, beaches and roadside cafés discovered along the way.
Miyakojima is the kind of destination where slowing down becomes part of the experience—and Day 2 was a perfect reminder of exactly that.
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