My 3-Day Miyakojima Itinerary: The Perfect Road Trip Guide
When I first started planning my Miyakojima itinerary, I found plenty of lists on beaches and attractions, but few guides explained how to explore the island over several days.
After spending 3-days driving around Miyakojima, I discovered that having a rental car gave me the freedom to visit famous beaches in the morning, stop at quiet viewpoints, and explore neighboring islands.
This guide is based entirely on my own experience exploring Okinawa’s Miyakojima. I’ll share my exact itinerary, the places I recommend, driving tips, estimated costs, and so much more.
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| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Time Needed | 2-3 Days |
| Best Transportation | Car Rental |
| Best Time to Visit | Late March to Early June & October to December |
| Family Friendly | Yes |
| Budget | $$-$$$ |
Miyakojima is about 300 kilometers (186 miles) southwest of Okinawa’s main island.
If looking at a map, Miyakojima is about half way between Okinawa’s main island and Taiwan.
Access to Miyakojima is accessible by flight. Miyako Airport is the main airport and offers connections to Tokyo, Ishigaki, and Naha.
Why I Chose Miyakojima
Honestly, while living in Okinawa, I made it a goal to visit one new outlying island each year. I’ve already done Iriomote (my favorite), Ishigaki, Kumejima, and Zamami Island. So, it only made sense to visit Miyakojima.
I didn’t want to visit Miyakojima just to check a box, I did my research and wanted to dive/snorkel, see local wildlife, and drive across the bridges.
Iriomote – One of Japan’s Most Adventurous Islands
I highly recommend visiting the island of Iriomote, it’s one of my favorite destinations.
Planning my Trip
Living in Okinawa, there was not a whole lot of planning needed to visit Miyakojima. after all, it’s only a 45-minute flight from Okinawa’s main island and I visited in the off season.
But, like any vacation, planning is involved. I had to book flights, figure out where to stay based on my interests, and book a rental car, all within my price range.
Flights to Miyakojima
Getting to Miyakojima is relatively straightforward, with regular domestic flights available from several cities throughout Japan, including Naha, Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
I booked a flight from Naha to Miyakojima through Japan Airlines.
The flight was 45-minutes and Miyakojima’s airport is small, so we were able to get out of the airport within minutes and find our car rental company.
Rental Car
In my opinion, although not a must, renting a car was the right decision. Miyakojima has limited transportation and the bus system didn’t really work for my Miyakojima itinerary.
Having my own car allowed me to visit all the sites I had marked, drive to restaurants that weren’t at the expensive resorts, and gave me the freedom I was after to fully explore the island.
Parking was never an issue when driving and since Miyakojima is small and not as touristy, there was no traffic whatsoever.
Hotel
Miyakojima has a wide range of places to stay, from high-end resorts to local rentals. I was looking for something in between, based on my budget.
In my mind, I wanted that resort feel so I could relax at the end of the day but I didn’t want to spend a lot of money.
I ended up booking a few nights at the Hotel Seabreeze Coral based on price, location, and amenities.
Budget
Miyakojima was as expected when it comes to expenses. Okinawa in general is fairly cheap, so I expected similar prices in Miyakojima, and I was right.
Here is a breakdown of how much I spent on my flight, hotel, meals, car rental, and personal expenses (attractions souvenirs, etc.).
| Daily Budget For | Cost ($ USD) |
|---|---|
| Airfare (Roundtrip) | $73 |
| Hotel per Night | $111 |
| Car Rental | $61 |
| Meals | $30 |
| Personal Expenses | $20 |
3-Day Miyakojima Itinerary
I spent nearly 3-days in Miyakojima and honestly, I would say 3 days gives visitors plenty of time to relax at the beaches, explore attractions, and even get a few dives or snorkel sessions in.
My 3-day Miyakojima itinerary covers everything I did each day from landing at the airport and driving around the island to snorkeling in the mornings and find authentic local restaurants.
Day 1
Miyako Airport → Sun Pillar → Ikema Island → Higa Roadpark → Cape Higashi-Hennazaki
Miyako Airport
We flew from mainland Okinawa to Miyakojima. The flight is less then an hour, we landed in Miyakojima at 8:00 am and picked up our rental car from Orix Rent a Car.
Sun Pillar
Our Miyakojima hotel check-in wasn’t until 15:00, so we had plenty of time to explore Miyakojima. On the way to Ikema Island, we stopped at an interesting sculpture placed on a rock in the middle of a beautiful secluded beach.
The sculpture was created by the Japanese artist, Marika Mori. According to a sign at the site, the Sun Pillar is a 4-meter tall luminous column.
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Ikema Bridge and Island
Ikema Island is connected to Miyakojima’s main island by the picturesque Ikema Bridge. This 1,425 meter long bridge is an attraction in itself and offers beautiful views of the turquoise waters below.
Ikema Island was worth exploring too. It was packed with beautiful beaches, observation decks, dive shops, and cafes.
I stopped at Funakusu Beach and it had some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen!
Afterwards, as a wildlife enthusiast, I stopped by the Ikema Wetlands Observatory to try and spot local wildlife.
Lunch: パーントゥ食堂 (Paantu Shokudo)
After spending time exploring Ikema Island, we stopped at a local Shokudo called パーントゥ食堂 (Paantu).
Shokudo’s are the best types of restaurants in Okinawa for lunch. These are very local restaurants that serve amazing food and a very reasonable price.
I ordered Squid Ink Yakisoba. It was your traditional Yakisoba dish that was black in color from the squid ink and had generous portions of squid. If you try this, just be warned, it might turn your teeth black!
Ishigaki – Explore More of Japan’s Islands
Ishigaki is another island I recommend. From picturesque beaches to traditional islands.
Higa Roadpark
Higa Roadpark is worth a brief stop on the way to Cape Higashi-Hennazaki.
We only parked here for about 5-10 minutes to take in the views. The Roadpark sits higher up, so you get spectacular views of the East China Sea and cliffs around Miyakojima.
Cape Higashi-Hennazaki
We ended our first day at Cape Higashi Hennazaki. This cape has some of the best viewpoints on Miyakojima. It’s a narrow peninsula that stretches for two kilometers.
We leisurely took our time here, looking at the water below. The water was so clear we saw tons of fish, mainly parrot fish swimming in the pools below.
There are nice walking paths that lead to the lighthouse. Be warned, there is not a whole lot of shade here, so take it easy and protect yourself from the sun.
Day 2
Yonaha Beach → Kurima Island → Irabu Island → Miyakojima City
Snorkel: Waiwai Beach
I stayed at Hotel Seabreeze Coral in Miyakojima and was looking for nearby beaches to snorkel before getting my day started.
I found Waiwai Beach, and it’s popular for spotting sea turtles in the morning. I tried my luck but did not see any. I did see a lot of tropical fish and spectacular Nudibranchs.
Yonaha Beach
Afterwards, we drove to one of Japan’s most beautiful beaches, Yonaha Beach. It’s famous for its kilometers f soft white sand and crystal-clear water.
Yonaha Beach is one of those beaches that is perfect for relaxing and cooling off in the water. The beach is absolutely gorgeous. It’s not the best for snorkeling though, as the bottom is just sand.
There are restrooms, a cafe, and places to rent gear at Yonaha Beach.
Kurima Island
Connected to Miyakojima by the Kurima Bridge, Kurima Island is a small island with a few places worth checking out.
For starters, I tried looking for coconut crabs here along the nature trail to Tako Park. I didn’t see any coconut crabs but was rewarded with an octopus statue at the end of the trail.
There was a small parking lot for this trail just at the end of the bridge.
Kumejima – Island off the Beaten Path
Kumejima can be reached by ferry from Naha port. Not as well know as Miyakojima but well worth visiting.
Irabu Island
Irabu Island is one of the most popular islands to visit on Miyakojima. It was definitely the most touristed when I visited. You cross the famous Irabu Bridge, one of Japan’s longest toll-free bridges.
The island is also home to beautiful beaches, Toriike Pond, hotels & resorts, great lunch spots, and beautiful views!
Irabu Bridge
Irabu Bridge is one of if not the longest toll-free bridges in Japan. This bridge is famous and you’ll see photos of it on post cards or tourist information centers.
Driving across Irabu Bridge is a must do and has to be included on every Miyakojima itinerary.
The water below was so clear, we even spotted turtles swimming below. I think we spotted around six sea turtles while driving across Irabu Bridge.
Tori-ike Pond
One of my favorite stops that we did in Miyakojima was the Tori-ike pond. It’s two pools separated by a natural bridge in the middle. Visitors can walk between the ponds on a designated path.
There is a sea cave underneath that feeds water into the ponds. The ponds change with the tides. The ponds are deep, 25 meters.
Lunch: Irabu Soba Kame
For lunch, we stopped at a popular Soba restaurant called Irabu Soba Kame.
This place was packed with visitors, so we ended up waiting outside for 15-20 minutes, well worth it!
Irabu Soba Kame is a local restaurant set in a traditional home that serves up great Okinawa Soba.
Makiyama Observation Deck
For some of the best views of Irabu Bridge, we headed to Makiyama Observation Deck. It’s a 10 minute walk to the observation deck but the views are 100% worth it.
Miyakojima City
Since we had to drive past Okinawa City back to our Miyakojima hotel, we explored the city a bit. Honestly, there is not much to see.
But, as a craft beer lover, there was a real good brewery, Island Brewing Miyakojima.
Island Brewing Miyakojima specialized in IPA’s and tropical beers. Their Mango IPA was outstanding! It’s got a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for escaping the summer heat.
Dinner: Uruka Izakaya
Make sure to make researvations. We tried coming to Uruka the first night but were turned away. The establishment is small and it’s a popular Izakaya.
I made a reservation the day before and enjoyed delicious local food for hours, from amazing karaage (fried chicken) and giant fried shrimp to papaya salad and Fuu Chanpuru (wheat gluten stir-fry).
Day 3
Imgyaa Marine Garden → Amaga → Nakabari Limestone Cave
Imgyaa Marine Garden
I wish I knew about Imgyaa Marine Garden earlier, otherwise I would have changed my Miyakojima itinerary a bit to allow more time here.
We visited Imgyaa Marine Garden on our last day with the intent to take photos and walk the coast.
Little did I know this place is one of the better spots to swim and snorkel. The whole time I was here, I kept picturing myself in the water.
You can rent gear here to include paddle boards and kayaks.
Amaga
Not really a tourist attraction but a very interesting site to visit was Amaga.
It’s a cave system that is free to visit. But within the cave is a natural spring that was historically used by locals to store water.
Since there was nobody here when we visited, it felt very adventurous and peaked my curiosity.
Nakabari Limestone Cave
Our last attraction on the Miyakojima itinerary was visiting the Nakabari Limestone Cave.
I always enjoy exploring caves and feel this one was worth a quick visit. It’s owned by a local who owns the land, so he charges a ¥600 ($3.75) fee. I like to support the local community, so no issues there.
You can freely walk into the cave to the end. It’s a limestone cave, so there are interesting formations.
One of the more interesting things I found within the cave were the Awamori bottles aging down there. Awamori is an Okinawan distilled spirit.
Mamoru-kun Patrolmen: What's the Deal with these Statues?
Miyakojima is known for their Mamoru-kun Patrolmen. I never heard of them until visiting the island and saw them plastered on all souvenirs and Omiyage (individually-wrapped food souvenirs).
Apparently, there are about 20 of them scattered throughout the island. I managed to find a few while driving around Miyakojima.
The Mamoru-kun are life-sized police officers statues that stand along many of the island’s roads, primarily intersections, each with their own name and different appearance.
They are placed around the island to encourage safe driving. They’ve become a symbol of Miyakojima and a fun attraction.
Conclusion
After spending three days exploring Miyakojima by car, I can honestly say it lived up to my expectations. Exploring Okinawa’s islands has always been a travel interest of mine and Miyakojima was fun to explore.
From driving across its impressive bridges to walking on some of the prettiest beaches in Okinawa, every day offered something new to discover.
While the famous beaches are undoubtedly the main attraction, and for good reason, I found that some of my favorite moments came from simply enjoying the scenic drives and stopping at unexpected places.
Have you traveled to Miyakojima and have attractions or sites I didn’t include on my Miyakojima itinerary? If so, let me know so myself and others can discover these beautiful places. Safe Travels!
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Tours & Tickets
Sea Turtle Snorkel Tour
Get a chance to snorkel with sea turtles and discover other marine life.
Hotels in Miyakojima
Find Your Stay on Booking.com
Best rates in Miyakojima – stay close to the beach or find a relaxing resort.
Alternative Stays
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Great for comparing boutique hotels, B&Bs, and apartments. Often uncovers deals Booking.com misses.
Activities & Day Trips
Browse on Viator
Snorkel tours, night walks, and private guides — Viator has a massive Miyakojima selection.
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