15 November 2025
Unlike the previous day, the weather finally smiled upon us.
The wind had eased considerably, the skies were clear, and Miyakojima once again showed us why it is often considered home to some of Japan’s most beautiful waters. There was no rush today. Instead, it became one of those wonderfully slow travel days where the journey itself was the highlight.
Our plan was simple — drive across some of the islands connected by Miyakojima’s spectacular bridges, enjoy good food, take in the famous “Miyako Blue” sea, and finish with an underwater sightseeing boat before returning our rental car.
Google Route
https://maps.app.goo.gl/T1WLFGU6ixGBCmxT6
Driving Across Irabu Bridge
Leaving central Miyakojima, we crossed Irabu Ohashi (Irabu Bridge), one of Japan’s longest toll-free bridges stretching approximately 3.5 kilometres across the sea.
The bridge itself is an attraction.
Unlike many coastal roads where the sea only appears occasionally, here the ocean surrounds you on both sides. The water changes colour every few hundred metres—from emerald green near the shoreline to deep sapphire further out.
This incredible shade is often called “Miyako Blue”, a term locals proudly use to describe the exceptional clarity of the surrounding waters. Unlike many tropical destinations, there are no large rivers flowing into the sea around Miyakojima. Without river sediment muddying the water, visibility remains astonishingly clear throughout much of the year.
Even after travelling around Japan for several weeks, this was still one of the most beautiful coastal drives we experienced.
Irabu Island & Shimoji Island
Irabu Island and neighbouring Shimoji Island were historically separate fishing communities before being connected to Miyakojima by the bridge in 2015.
Today they remain much quieter than Okinawa’s main island, offering dramatic coastlines, fishing harbours and some of Japan’s clearest beaches.
Driving around both islands was incredibly relaxing.
There wasn’t a strict sightseeing checklist—we simply stopped wherever the scenery caught our attention.
Sometimes the best memories come from these unplanned moments.
Lunch at Sunday Burger Shop
One stop we definitely recommend is:
Sunday Burger Shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xoqF3K421RZPAKhd7
The burgers were genuinely good.
After several weeks of Japanese food, it was surprisingly refreshing to enjoy a well-made burger while overlooking the tropical scenery.
It felt like one of those hidden local cafés that travellers only discover because they’re driving around the island rather than following organised tours.
Kurima Island
Later in the afternoon we crossed another impressive bridge to Kurima Island.
Much like Irabu Bridge, Kurima Ohashi provides spectacular panoramic views over turquoise water.
Although Kurima Island is relatively small, its peaceful atmosphere makes it perfect for a leisurely drive.
The island has long been known for sugar cane farming and fishing, and today remains much quieter than many of Okinawa’s more famous tourist destinations.
There is something incredibly relaxing about slowing down, rolling down the windows and simply enjoying the sea breeze.
Underwater Sightseeing Boat
One activity we had been looking forward to was the Underwater Sightseeing Boat.
Originally we planned to reserve our tickets one day in advance.
Official booking:
https://nanseirakuen-experience.book.ntmg.com/products/f78764f2-4129-5bc9-aa08-b24630c930c2?lng=en
However, we completely forgot.
Fortunately, when we arrived there were still tickets available.
We were lucky.
By departure time, the boat was almost full, so I would definitely recommend making an advance reservation during weekends, public holidays or peak travel seasons.
Unlike snorkelling or diving, the underwater sightseeing boat allows visitors of all ages to enjoy Miyakojima’s coral reefs while remaining completely dry.
Through the large underwater viewing windows, colourful tropical fish swam naturally among coral formations beneath the crystal-clear sea.
It is an excellent option for families with young children, elderly travellers or anyone who prefers not to enter the water.
Returning the Rental Car
At around 6:00 PM, we returned our rental car.
For anyone exploring Miyakojima, I would strongly recommend renting a car.
Public transport on the island is extremely limited, and many of the scenic viewpoints, beaches and smaller islands are simply much easier to reach by car.
Driving itself is also part of the experience.
The roads are quiet, parking is generally easy to find, and distances between attractions are relatively short.
A Relaxed Dinner in Miyako City
With the car returned, we simply walked into town and looked for somewhere to eat.
Sometimes travel doesn’t need careful planning.
The restaurant wasn’t famous.
It wasn’t on any must-visit list.
It simply had available seats—and it turned out to be really good.
We enjoyed the meal and ended the day on a relaxed note.
That said, if you’re visiting Miyakojima during weekends or Japanese holidays, reservations are still recommended.
There were only two of us, which made finding a table considerably easier than for larger groups.
Booking a Taxi for Tomorrow’s Flight
One unexpected challenge came after dinner.
We needed a taxi for our flight the following morning.
Because it was Saturday evening, many taxi offices had already closed, and Miyakojima is much smaller than Okinawa’s main island. Taxi availability can become surprisingly limited, especially after business hours and on weekends.
We walked around the city until we eventually found a taxi waiting for passengers.
After a short conversation with the driver, we managed to arrange a pickup for the following morning.
Ironically, when I checked the taxi app the next morning, there were actually a few taxis available.
Still, I don’t regret arranging one the night before.
Missing a flight because you couldn’t find transport would have been far worse than booking unnecessarily.
For anyone flying out early from Miyako Airport, I’d recommend pre-booking your taxi whenever possible—particularly on weekends, public holidays or outside the busy daytime hours.
Sometimes a little peace of mind is worth more than taking a chance.
Practical Tips
- Renting a car is by far the easiest way to explore Miyakojima and its surrounding islands.
- Fuel stations become less common outside central Miyako City—refuel before returning your rental.
- Reserve the Underwater Sightseeing Boat during weekends or holiday periods.
- Reserve restaurants if travelling during peak seasons.
- Pre-book taxis for early morning flights, especially on weekends.
- Bring sunglasses and sunscreen—the tropical sun is much stronger than mainland Japan.
Historical Background
The Miyako Islands are part of Okinawa Prefecture and belong to the Ryukyu Islands, which historically formed the independent Ryukyu Kingdom for over 450 years before being incorporated into Japan in the late 19th century. This unique history is reflected in the islands’ distinct culture, cuisine, music and local dialects, which differ noticeably from mainland Japan.
For centuries, residents relied heavily on fishing, sugar cane cultivation and maritime trade. Modern bridges such as Irabu Ohashi and Kurima Ohashi have dramatically transformed life on these islands, making travel, education and healthcare much more accessible while also opening the region to tourism.
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