13 November 2026 (Thursday)
Okinawa to Miyakojima: A Windy First Arrival
13 November 2026 (Thu)
This was the day we flew from Okinawa main island to Miyakojima. We first needed to return our rental car near the airport, then take their shuttle over to the terminal.
The weather over the past few days hadn’t been great, so it did feel like we were quite lucky that the flight was still operating. Travel around the Okinawan islands can be quite dependent on weather, especially with strong coastal winds even outside of typhoon season.
Drive from Yomitan to Naha
The drive from Yomitan to Naha was actually quite scenic, although traffic was noticeably heavier—probably morning commuting hours.
Even so, Okinawa’s roads feel more relaxed compared to bigger Japanese cities. The island still carries a slower rhythm, shaped by its past as the former Ryukyu Kingdom. Along the way, you still catch glimpses of the coastline and low-rise buildings, which gives everything a more open, spread-out feel.
Car Return and Naha Airport
We returned the car at Naha Sky Rent A Car, and the process was smooth. From there, a shuttle brought us straight to Naha Airport.
The airport itself was larger than I expected, and quite easy to get distracted in. There were a lot of souvenir shops selling Okinawan snacks, especially things like purple sweet potato products and local specialties.
A Quick Stop for Pork Tamago
Before boarding, we wanted to try Pork Tamago, which is quite a well-known Okinawan snack.
The combination of rice, egg, and luncheon meat reflects Okinawa’s post-war history, when American influence introduced ingredients like Spam into local food culture.
The queue, though, was quite long. By the time we got our food, we had to eat pretty quickly before boarding. Not the most relaxed experience, but still felt like something we had to try before leaving Okinawa.
A Very Short Flight
The flight from Naha Airport to Miyako Airport was much shorter than I expected.
It felt like I had barely settled in before we were already descending. The announcement was in Japanese, so I didn’t realise at first until the person across the aisle reminded me to put my tray table up.
We arrived in Miyakojima at around 1pm.
First Impressions of Miyakojima
Right away, Miyakojima felt quieter and more remote. Compared to Okinawa main island, it’s smaller and flatter, with no mountains and surrounded by coral reefs that give the island its well-known clear blue waters.
At the same time, the wind was already quite strong. The island is very exposed to the sea, so the weather tends to feel more direct and sometimes a bit harsher.
The Rental Car
When we saw the car for the first time, it really reinforced that “small island” feeling.
It was a pink, compact car—quite cute, but the system inside was noticeably older. The navigation and connectors felt quite dated, which actually brought a bit of nostalgia. It’s the kind of setup you don’t really see anymore.
Lunch at Madam C
Since I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to find food after arriving, I had booked
宮古島Madam C SAKABA&COFFEE in advance.
We ordered quite a bit. The pasta was okay, but what stood out more were the potato chips—they were surprisingly good.
The coffee followed what I had been noticing in Okinawa. It’s generally lighter. Milk-based coffee felt a bit mild for me, but the black coffee was smoother and less bitter than what I’m used to in Malaysia.
Check-in and the Wind Picking Up
We checked into our accomodation at around 3pm.
There was still time in the afternoon, and at first it seemed like we could go out and explore a bit. But the wind kept getting stronger.
It eventually became strong enough to make walking slightly difficult, and I started to feel a bit unsure about driving as well. Given how exposed Miyakojima is, this kind of weather doesn’t seem unusual.
A Quiet First Evening
In the end, we decided not to head out. We stopped by a nearby grocery store, bought some food, and went back to the hotel instead.
So our first day in Miyakojima turned out to be quite quiet—no sightseeing, no beaches, no coastal views.
Closing Thoughts
Even so, it still felt like a proper arrival.
The shift from Okinawa main island to Miyakojima was quite noticeable—not just in size, but in atmosphere. Everything felt a bit slower, a bit more exposed to nature.
It wasn’t the ideal first impression in terms of weather, but in a way, it gave a more grounded sense of the island—one that isn’t just about clear skies and blue water.
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