Miyako Island (Miyakojima) and the Miyako Islands

For our detailed travel guide for Miyakojima and Miyako Islands, please click here.

Miyakojima, also known as Miyako Island, is one of Japan’s most beautiful tropical destinations, especially for those who love white-sand beaches with crystal-clear waters. Miyakojima is the fourth largest island in Okinawa Prefecture. This flat coral island features dazzling white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and dramatic coral rock formations. On a sunny day, Miyakojima truly shines at its best. Miyakojima is connected by bridges to four other islands in the Miyako Islands: Ikema Island, Kurima Island, Irabu Island, and Shimoji Island. As all the Miyako Islands are solely formed by emerged coral reefs, they are all flat islands (without mountains and rivers). The water around the Miyako Islands stay clear even after heavy rain, which is because rain water gets absorbed quickly and filtered by coral rocks underneath the ground, and eventually water comes out into the sea from underground river channels after many years of filtration. This is the reason why the Miyako Islands are known for some of the clearest waters in the world. The Miyako Islands are more sunny due to the flat geography, compared to those islands with mountains and rainforests, which are known to attract and create rainy clouds.
The Miyako Islands are also a paradise for off-the-beach snorkeling lovers. You can see many kinds of tropical fish, sea turtles and colorful lush coral close to many of the beaches.
There are amazing barrier reefs (offshore coral reef) called Yabiji, which are located off the north east of Miyako main island.