What is Miyako Island like? Can I go there from the Kerama Islands? Thorough Comparison of Kerama and Miyako Island

Introducing the attractions and sights of Miyako and Kerama Islands.

Okinawa Prefecture, one of the most popular tourist prefectures in Japan, is a prefecture with many islands scattered over a wide area of ocean, and a number of tourist islands exist within the prefecture.

In addition to the main island of Okinawa, which is also the political and economic center of the country, Ishigaki Island, which has grown into a major resort destination, and Iriomote Island, a World Natural Heritage candidate, are particularly popular spots.

Along with those islands, Miyako Island, located 300 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa, boasts high popularity.

And now we would like to introduce you to the Kerama Islands, where you can enjoy day-trip sightseeing from the main island of Okinawa.

In this issue, we would like to focus on the charms of Miyako and Kerama Islands.

Both islands are full of tropical charms, and we hope you will find them useful on your trip to Okinawa!

 

Distance between Miyako and Kerama Islands

Miyako Island and the Kerama Islands are separated by a distance of 260 km.

The Miyako Archipelago and the Kerama Islands are completely different land divisions, so it is not easy to travel back and forth between them, even though they are within the same Okinawa Prefecture.

 

Access from Kerama Islands to Miyako Island

Miyako Island is one of the largest and most populous islands in Okinawa Prefecture, and there are two airports in the archipelago.

The main gateway is Miyako Airport, the older of the two airports.

Direct flights from airports in major metropolitan areas throughout Japan or air travel via Naha are the only ways to visit Miyako Island.

On the other hand, the Kerama Islands are not large in terms of the size of their respective communities, and there are no airports within the archipelago.

If you are going to Miyakojima from the Kerama Islands, you must return to Naha and then board a flight to Miyakojima.

Therefore, it would be basically difficult to enjoy both sightseeing experiences in a single trip.

 

What is Miyako Island like?

Miyako Island boasts a vast area of just under 160 km², and together with Irabu Island, Shimoji Island, Ikema Island, Ogami Island, Kushima Island, and several other islands, makes up the Miyako Islands.

It features a subtropical climate similar to that of the main island of Okinawa, and is a major resort area where activities and marine sports can be enjoyed in a temperate climate all year round.

 

How to get to Miyako Island

As mentioned above, the only means of transportation to Miyako Island is by air; there are no ferries or other services.

You will need to use flights from major cities around the country or from Naha, which would be about a 45-minute flight from Naha.

Charm of Miyako Island

The charm of Miyako Island lies in the fact that it has a city of a comfortable size with a population of 55,000 and a resort environment with accommodations and other amenities.

It is adjacent to several islands, and the scenery of huge bridges crossing the sea between them is also unique.

In addition, the numerous scenic spots and activity spots on the surrounding islands, such as Irabu Island, make it possible to enjoy a developed tourism experience without completing it on just one island, which is a major attraction not found on other islands.

 

deep blue sea

Miyako Island was created by the uplift of coral reefs on the ocean floor, and the island's sandy beaches are characterized by pure white coral sand derived from coral that has been broken up over many years.

The seafloor is likewise covered with pure white coral sand, which reflects the sunlight and accentuates the blue color of the sea.

The beauty of the sea is called "Miyako blue," and the contrast between the clean white sandy beach and the refreshing blue sea creates a scenery that is hard not to fall in love with.

 

A wide variety of activities can be enjoyed

Miyako Island, with its beautiful ocean, provides an environment where you can enjoy activities.

There is a great variety of activities that can be done in the ocean, including snorkeling, diving, SUP, canoeing, and kayaking.

Furthermore, Miyako Island, with its large area, is blessed with natural scenery on land, and is attractive for its wide variety of activities, such as caving, which allows visitors to explore caves, and astronomical observation at night.

 

Enjoyable for both children and adults.

A major attraction of Miyako Island is that it is a spot where anyone can enjoy sightseeing, regardless of age.

Since the land is resort-oriented, there is a wide variety of activity tours.

Many plans are available for young children and the elderly, with consideration for their physical fitness.

Miyako Island is a very easy place to visit in terms of a wide range of ways to enjoy the island, from exercising in the great outdoors to relaxing and enjoying the scenery.

 

Sightseeing spots recommended by locals

Let us introduce you to three of the most popular tourist spots on Miyako Island.

Check out all of these great spots, selected from the perspective of residents who know the local area well!

 

Yonaha Maehama Beach

Yonaha Maehama Beach, which stretches along the west coast of Miyako Island, is one of the most scenic spots on the island and is also called the most beautiful beach in the East.

The emerald green ocean viewed from the powdery white sand beach will surely make you feel as if you are traveling abroad!

It is well-liked not only by tourists but also by local residents.

 

Recommendations

This is the most popular tourist beach on Miyako Island, so it is well equipped for enjoying the ocean.

The convenience of many restaurants and stores along the beach is a major attraction, as are the many activity equipment rentals and tours.

The location on the west side of the island is also excellent, and you will be met with brilliant sunsets as the sun sets into the western ocean.

 

Access from Miyako Airport

The address of Yonaha Maehama Beach is Shimoji Aza Yonaha, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture.

The distance from the airport is also attractive, as it takes only 10 minutes by rental car.

The nearest bus stop is "Kamiji Minami", but it is a 30-minute walk, so it is recommended to visit by rental car as much as possible!

Sunayama Beach

Here is one more beach from Miyako Island, which has an excellent ocean location.

Sunayama Beach, which has a good reputation for its location, about 4 km from Hirara, the largest urban area on Miyako Island, is characterized by its mountains of white sand, just as the name suggests.

As I mentioned earlier, Miyako Island is an island made of uplifted coral, and here you can see an arch-shaped rock formation made of uplifted coral rock, which is a symbol of this.

 

Recommendations

The coral arch is so artistically beautiful that many people go out of their way to see it.

In recent years, it has become increasingly popular as an Instagram-worthy spot.

Of course, swimming and activities are also available!

How about looking at the miraculous formations created by nature and pondering the years that Miyako Island has passed?

 

Access from Miyako Airport

The address of Sunayama Beach is 705 Kakawatori, Hirara, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture.

Sunayama Beach may not be found by name alone depending on the type of car navigation system, so enter the map code "310 603 263*55" to search for the route.

The nearest bus stop is Narukawa Iriguchi, but since it requires a 40-minute walk from there, a rental car is recommended.

Irabu Bridge

A unique landscape and symbolic presence of Miyako Island is the bridge connecting the two adjacent islands.

Of these, the Irabu Bridge, which opened in 2015, is particularly renowned for its spectacular views and beautiful exterior.

This bridge connects Irabu Island and Miyako Island, and serves not only for tourism but also as infrastructure to support the daily lives of local residents.

 

Recommendations

The Irabu Bridge is Japan's longest bridge open to free passage at 3,540 meters, and the sight of the long bridge crossing over the beautiful waters of Miyako and Irabu islands is a sight to behold in itself.

Furthermore, since the Irabu Bridge has only been in operation for a short period of time, its brand new white exterior looks great against the blue ocean.

It is forbidden to stop in the middle of the bridge during the drive, but you can pass on foot and enjoy the view from the bridge.

 

Access from Miyako Airport

Since the Irabu Bridge is the root of the island's transportation system, it can be easily reached by searching for its name in a car navigation system.

When visiting the bridge as a destination, we recommend that you come by rental car or cab.

What kind of place is Kerama?

Now that we have introduced Miyako Island, let us look at information on the Kerama Islands.

The Kerama Islands are located about 40 km west of the main island of Okinawa, which includes the city of Naha. The archipelago consists of 36 islands, including five inhabited islands.

Because the island is surrounded by the sea, its location is one of the best in Okinawa Prefecture.

Although it is a remote island, it is well-liked by many tourists, including those who can easily visit from the main island of Okinawa.

 

Directions from Naha Airport

You can take a boat from Naha Airport to the Kerama Islands via Tomari Port in the city.

It is not far from the airport and can be reached in about 15 minutes with a rental car.

The nearest station is Miebashi on the monorail or Tomari-Takahashi on the bus.

At the port, you will take a ferry or high-speed boat to the islands, but be aware that you may not be able to purchase tickets on the day of your visit.

Reservations are essential, especially during the summer months when there are many tourists, so be sure to make all necessary preparations in advance.

Attractions of Kerama

The entire Kerama archipelago was designated as a national park in 2014, and the main attraction of the islands is their different locations.

All of the islands are blessed with beautiful seas and rich natural landscapes that warmly welcome us.

The calm mood unique to the remote islands will soothe away the fatigue of daily life.

 

Kerama blue that fascinates the world

The waters near the Kerama Islands are filled with coral, and the blue surface of the water is admired as Kerama blue.

Internationally, the Kerama Islands have been highly acclaimed, and the highly acclaimed Michelin Green Guide Japon, a highly respected guide book for foreign travelers, gave the islands a high rating of two stars.

The waters of Kerama boast world-class beauty!

 

A sanctuary for marine activities

The beautiful ocean and coral sand beaches offer a wide variety of marine activities.

Kerama is a sacred place for marine activities that attracts many visitors every year, especially during the summer, when the mood is so lively that it is hard to believe that it is a remote island.

Once you have had a good time in Kerama, you will be captivated by the allure of wanting to stay as long as you want.

Enjoying the breathtaking beauty of the ocean in this mecca for marine activities will surely take away the fatigue of daily life!

 

Magnificent Nature

The Kerama Islands offer spectacular natural beauty.

If you visit the archipelago, you will see many tropical plants such as hibiscus, yaeyama palm, and rufous pine that grow in the warm subtropical climate.

The island's environment, filled with water and greenery, continues to captivate tourists as the most luxurious and extraordinary experience.

 

Attraction of Kerama Blue

The Keramas Blue Sea is rich in both beauty and environment, and is characterized as a world-famous diving spot.

Not a few people from Japan and around the world come to Kerama to enjoy its waters.

Of course, even if you do not dive under the sea, you can still enjoy the beauty of the best just by looking at it from the beach or from the surface of the sea!

Why don't you enjoy the too beautiful sea that you cannot see in the mainland?

 

Sightseeing spots recommended by locals

Let's take a look at the various sightseeing spots in the Kerama Islands.

All of the locations are perfect, chosen from a local's point of view.

If you are not sure which sightseeing spot to visit, please refer to this page!

 

Kozamami Beach

Furuzamami Beach on Zamami Island, one of the five inhabited islands in the Kerama archipelago, is the subject of a two-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide.

It boasts an environment and scenery that are second to none by world standards, making it a popular destination not only for foreign tourists, of course, but also for domestic travelers.

 

Recommendations

Kozamami Beach can be characterized by its 3-km long beach.

During the tourist season, the beach is packed with many tourists and colorful parasols line the sandy beach, but the large area does not feel cramped even when people gather.

The paradise-like location, with its endless white sand beaches and numerous subtropical plants in the background, is indescribably beautiful.

As a tourist beach, it is well equipped with showers, stores, and other facilities essential for swimming and activities, so you can enjoy yourself to the fullest!

 

Directions from Naha Airport and Zamami Port

It is a 20-minute walk from Zamami Port.

The distance can be fatiguing under the hot sun in mid-summer, so we recommend taking the village bus or a cab.

Kitahama Beach (Nishibama Beach)

Kitahama (Nishibama) Beach on Aka Island, one of the inhabited islands, is another popular tourist spot.

Incidentally, north (nishi) is a directional expression peculiar to the local language of Okinawa, and is called agari, iri, hee, nishi (regional differences exist) in order from east to west, north to south, so be sure not to mistake the direction.

 

Beach Features

Snorkeling is so popular that many people say that only Kitahama Beach is the best place to enjoy snorkeling in the Kerama Islands.

The shallow waters, not far from the beach, are teeming with corals, so even beginners can enjoy the thrill of snorkeling.

If you continue onward through the crystal clear waters, you will see even larger coral reefs, making this a spot where you can enjoy a wonderful view depending on your snorkeling skills.

 

Directions from Naha Airport and Aka Port

Walking from Aka Port to Kitahama Beach takes about 20 minutes.

To avoid heat stroke, etc., you may want to consider renting a bicycle.

By bicycle, the trip takes approximately 7 minutes.

Naganum Island

Unlike the two islands above, Naganu Island, one of the Kerama Islands, is uninhabited, with no permanent residents.

However, with restaurants and accommodations on the island and a tourist environment, it is an attractive place to spend a relaxing resort time.

 

Recommendations

Naganu means "long and narrow.

As its name suggests, the island is long and narrow, with mostly coral-sand white beaches, providing an environment where visitors can enjoy swimming and other activities to their heart's content.

The contrast between the blue sea and the white sand is very photogenic, and its popularity among Instagrammers has been on the rise recently.

The island is very popular during the summer vacation season, so reservations are a must when visiting the island.

 

Directions from Naha Airport and Tomari Port

The entire island of Naganu is a location spot, so you can enjoy it as soon as you get off the boat.

Depending on the time of year, boats from Tomari Port depart at 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30.

Activities in Kerama

Here we would like to introduce a number of activities that are popular in the Kerama Islands.

All of them are a great way to enjoy the Keramas blue ocean, so please enjoy them!

 

snorkeling

Snorkeling, the most popular marine activity, is easy enough for anyone to participate, requiring only a snorkel, wetsuit or rash guard, and fins.

In addition to the beaches introduced above, snorkeling can be enjoyed at many other spots in the Kerama Islands, where the clear waters offer the best sense of freedom.

The waters are often calm, so if you choose the right spot, even young children and those who are not good swimmers can have a good time.

 

diving

One of the most popular activities in the Kerama Islands is diving.

Kerama is even considered a dream destination for divers, with more than 100 dive sites offering a variety of underwater landscapes.

Diving is an activity that requires a license, but don't worry, as Kerama offers experience diving tours where you can dive with an instructor even without a license.

 

SUP

SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) is a great activity to savor the location on the water.

SUP, which involves standing on a surfboard on the ocean surface and paddling, is less challenging than surfing, and is attractive to people of all ages and both sexes.

There are many variations, such as the Sunset SUP, which allows you to enjoy the ocean at sunset, changing with the time of day, or trying yoga on the board, allowing you to enjoy it in many different ways.

 

parasailing

Enjoy the sky as well with parasailing in Kerama!

Parasailing is an activity in which participants are towed by a water bike and soar into the sky like a kite, enjoying a leisurely flight over the ocean.

With the beautiful ocean and sandy beach below and the blue tropical sky above, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Kerama.

It is an exhilarating activity, so why not try it for yourself?

 

whale watching

One of the main features of the Kerama Islands is that schools of humpback whales come to nearby waters.

Whale watching in the Kerama Islands offers a very high probability of encountering whales, although the season when you can participate is limited.

The sight of the whales relaxing in the rich waters is very endearing and will surely add to the memories of your trip to Kerama!

 

3 popular tours in Kerama

We would like to introduce three of the most popular and recommended tours in Kerama.

All of these marine activities can be enjoyed to the fullest!

 

summary

We have introduced the charms of Miyako Island and the Kerama Islands, respectively.

Both offer beautiful natural scenery and are undoubtedly the best tourist attractions!

If you have a chance, please visit the sea of Miyako and Kerama Islands, which are the envy of the world!

Thank you for reading to the end.