The 5 best places to go in Miyakojima

The 5 best places to go in Miyakojima

If you want a nice beach getaway in Japan, Miyakojima in Okinawa is one of the best places to go. On a par with Thailand and Indonesia when it comes to beautiful beaches and oceans, Miyakojima makes for a great addition to your Japan trip. If you are also into snorkeling and diving, you will be treated to some of the best diving spots in the world and unspoiled corals all around the island. We went to Miyakojima recently, so let us share with you what we think are the 5 best places to go in Miyakojima!

Imgya Marine Garden

Well-protected from the large waves that sometimes roll in from Miyakojima’s southern coast, Imgya Marine Garden is a great place to go snorkeling almost every day. The inlet is surrounded by green hills from where you have a nice view, and the water around the bridge area is clear and at a nice depth for snorkeling (around 3-4 meters). There are many soft and hard corals and the area is teeming with sea life. You can find clown fish, damsel fish, trigger fish, and even sea turtles if you are lucky.

There is free parking and if you don’t bring your own gear you can rent snorkel gear, SUP boards, and kayaks in the shop next to the water. When we were there it was very windy, but the water in Imgya Marine Garden was quiet and clear.

Aragusuku Beach

Another beach that is protected from the larger waves due to its geography is Aragusuku Beach. There is a very large area of shallow reef where you can safely snorkel and swim, and it is dotted with large coral rocks with white sand in between. It’s a delight just to snorkel leisurely through the area to discover all the sea life that lives around the coral rocks. This is also a good place for spotting sea turtles.

Several small shops can be found on Aragusuku beach where you can rent snorkel gear and buy drinks and snacks. There is a free parking area with toilets and simple showers right next to the beach.

Pumpkin Cave

Going to the Pumpkin Cave is possible in almost every kind of weather, so if the forecast isn’t great, it is a good day to plan a morning to this cool limestone cave. It is very difficult to go here by yourself if you don’t know where to go, so we strongly recommend you to book a spot on a group tour to go here like we did.

We got a flashlight, helmet, and life vest from the guide and went on our way. It is a bit of a trek to get there, the last part going through the surf so you have to at least be in moderate shape to do this. The cave has a small entrance through which you will swim, and right upon entering you will see why this is named the Pumpkin Cave. You will climb up to the backside of the cave where you will get ample of time to look around in this otherworldly geographical formation. On the way back, you can choose to jump from a 3m high spot. Fun!

Ikema Island by scooter

For us, the best way to get around the island was by 50cc scooter. You can drive this type of scooter with a valid Japanese driver’s licence (car or scooter) or with an international driver’s licence. Please note that it is only allowed to ride this scooter by yourself, so you can’t drive with anyone on the back. We rented scooters from a place called Bigjoy in Hirara for around 25USD per day per scooter.

We took the scooters for some nice rides around the island, and one of our favorite drives was from central Hirara to Ikema island. Once you leave the town the roads are quiet and it is very relaxing to ride here. There are great views of the ocean, and some of the best views were around the bridge leading to Ikema Island. The water was so incredibly clear and blue around here, you could easily see fish swim below you. On the island it is worth making a stop at the Heart Rock and the beach nearby.

Diving near Irabu Island

Of course, a trip to Miyakojima isn’t complete without extensively discovering the world below the sea. If you never scuba dived before, you can go on an ‘experience dive’ where the guide will hold your tank so you don’t have to worry about anything. We were lucky enough to be able to get our diver’s licences earlier this year, so we went on a full day diving trip on a boat with 3 dives.

They took us to the northern side of Irabu Island, as the geography under water is stunning over there. We went to a depth of 25m and we saw so many fish and other sea creatures going about their lives in super clear blue water. One of the (quite literal) highlights was a dive into a narrow cave that had a natural spotlight at the end. Granted, you shouldn’t be scared of small spaces, but it was very much worth going in there. It almost felt like being indoors somewhere, a very special feeling.

Famous Miyakojima highlights

The most famous spots in Miyakojima are the large white sand beach of Yonaha Maehama Beach with a great view of the Irabu Ohashi Bridge. The secluded beaches of Shimojishima Island are also very popular. On the easternmost tip of the island you can find the scenic East Henna Cape with a beautiful lighthouse. For dinner you should head to the downtown area of Hirara near the port where there is a concentration of all kinds of restaurants.

If you’re thinking about adding an Okinawa extension to your Japan trip, we wholeheartedly recommend adding Miyakojima. And if you want to really make your holiday complete, why not also book a fun day tour in Tokyo or Kyoto with one of our experienced local guides? If you like to bicycle, we also have bicycle tours in Tokyo, Kamakura, and Kyoto.