Miyako-jima
宮古島Myaaku24°48′ N 125°17′ EMiyako Islandsflatlimestonebridges
Miyako-jima is a flat limestone island of 158.54 km² and about 50,300 people that sits 45 minutes by air from Naha and has no rivers.
Photo Raita Futo from Tokyo, Japan · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Miyako is a raised coral plateau. Rain soaks straight through the limestone, so the island has no rivers, draws its water from underground dams such as Fukuzato, and keeps a sea clear of river silt, which is why the visibility is famous. The highest ground reaches only about 115 m, at Nkyafusu-mine near the old Sunayama school and Nakao-mine near Higa.
Hirara holds the port and the Nishizato drinking streets. The rest of the island is sugarcane and small villages. Higashi-Hennazaki points 2 km into the sea at the eastern end, and Yonaha Maehama sweeps for 7 km along the south-west. Three bridges reach outward: the Irabu Ohashi at 3,540 m, the Kurima Ohashi at 1,690 m and the Ikema Ohashi at 1,425 m.
For a rider the roads are flat and the distances short, and nothing breaks the winter north wind, so plan loops that put the headwind in the morning and the tailwind on the way home. Typhoons pass so often that the island carries the nickname typhoon Ginza, and a February trip sits well outside their season.
Getting there
Fly to Miyako Airport. The lighthouse association's access notes give about 45 minutes from Naha, 2 hours 10 minutes from Osaka and 2 hours 40 minutes from Tokyo. Miyako Shimojishima Airport on Shimoji, reached over the Irabu Ohashi, adds Skymark flights and international routes.
Getting around
Most visitors rent a car. Four bus companies run local routes (Miyako Kyoei Bus, Yachiyo Bus and Taxi, Kyowa Bus and Chuo Kotsu), and seasonal sightseeing buses cover Higashi-Hennazaki. The island is flat enough to ride everywhere.
Riding on Miyako-jima
Miyako is a low limestone plateau with no rivers and a high point of about 115 m, so the riding is fast and flat, and the three long bridges to Irabu, Ikema and Kurima are the climbs. Each April the All Japan Triathlon Miyakojima sends its bike leg over the Ikema Ohashi and out to Higashi-Hennazaki. The real opponent is the wind, which blows from the north and north-east all winter.
Shima no Cycling Miyakojima in Hirara rents road and cross bikes, and BIGJOY Miyakojima and Cafe&Bike rent e-bikes. Aoyagi Cycle runs mobile repairs, and the operator pages carry the prices.
December to March
December to March is mild: JMA normals for 1991–2020 give daily highs of 20.6 °C in January, 21.1 °C in February and 22.8 °C in March, with lows around 16–18 °C. The wind sits in the north and north-east, so dive boats work the sheltered Shimoji side from September to April and the Yabiji reef tours stop for the season. Marea Miyakojima puts March water at 21–23 °C and reports humpback whale song underwater near the drop-offs. On land, the deigo trees at the botanical garden flower in February and March.
Worth knowing
- Ride into the wind first: in winter that means heading north in the morning.
- Book the famous soba shops early or go after 14:00.
- The deigo bloom in February and March lines up with a winter trip.
6 routes
Ride Miyako-jima走る
Where to base
Towns and villages on Miyako-jima町
FAQ
Quick answers about Miyako-jimaよくある質問
How big is Miyako-jima?
Miyako-jima covers 158.54 km², with 133.5 km of coastline. About 50,300 people were registered on the island on 1 January 2025.
Is Miyako-jima good for cycling?
Yes. Miyako-jima is flat, with a high point of about 115 m, and the bridges to Irabu, Ikema and Kurima make the classic rides. The winter north and north-east wind is the main challenge.
How do you get to Miyako-jima from Naha?
Fly. The flight from Naha to Miyako Airport takes about 45 minutes.
What is the weather like in Miyako in February?
Mild. JMA normals give a February average high of 21.1 °C and low of 16.6 °C, with a steady north or north-east wind.
Can you cycle on Miyako-jima?
Miyako is a low limestone plateau with no rivers and a high point of about 115 m, so the riding is fast and flat, and the three long bridges to Irabu, Ikema and Kurima are the climbs. Each April the All Japan Triathlon Miyakojima sends its bike leg over the Ikema Ohashi and out to Higashi-Hennazaki. The real opponent is the wind, which blows from the north and north-east all winter.
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