MIYAKO OKINAWA

Japan’s longest toll-free bridge, connecting Miyako, Irabu and Shimoji Islands, is a famous sightseeing spot with panoramic views of the clear blue sky and sea. Both “coral” and the first two digits of the bridge’s 3,540-meter length are pronounced “sango” in Japanese.

Relatively unknown to travelers, Sankaku-ten (triangular point) scenic viewpoint can be reached by walking up a trail through the woods to the top of a sheer cliff 72 meters above the sea. The location provides a magnificent view of the beautiful “Irabu blue”sea and swimming sea turtles that frequent the area below – if you remember to bring binoculars.

The coastline of Kawamitsu harbor on Miyako Island is brimming with Burma and Kandelia candel mangroves that grow in clusters like gardens. From the boardwalk and rest areas, you can observe colorful fluttering butterflies, singing tropical birds and crabs crawling through the mud flats at low tide. It’s a healing environment where you can slow down and watch the colors change as the tides ebb and flow with the passing of time.

One of Japan’s hundred most beautiful beaches, Sawada Beach on Irabu Island is famous for its breathtaking sunsets and hundreds of large rocks that rolled onto the nearby shoal when a tsunami struck in 1771.

This airport, with its famous red pier stretching toward the horizon, was originally used for airline pilot training, and tourists enjoyed watching the landings and takeoffs from up close. The area became a tourist spot and is now attracting attention because it will reopen as a carrier terminal in 2019.

On the easternmost end of Miyako Island, this coral reef limestone cape projects far into the cobalt blue sea. It’s a popular spot for tourists and was designated one of Japan's top 100 urban parks. From a lighthouse on its tip, you can view the Pacific Ocean on your right and the East China Sea on your left while enjoying a clear view of the horizon spreading as far as the eyes can see.

Local distiller Taragawa has been using traditional methods to produce Ryukyu awamori (Okinawan distilled spirits) since its founding in 1948. You can tour the distillery, taste and purchase awamori, tour the caves where old spirits age, and purchase undiluted spirits for storage in the caves to produce your own original vintage – a service loved by awamori fans.

This clear white sandy beach on Irabu Island stretches 800 meters from East to West in a beautiful arc and provides a clear panoramic view of Miyako, Kurima and Shimoji islands beyond the sea. We recommend taking a long, barefoot walk through the fine white sand on this 50-meter wide beach while enjoying the soothing sounds of the waves.

Designated a national scenic spot and natural monument, Toriike Pond on Shimoji Island consists of two large ponds connected underground. The shining cobalt blue ponds also link with the open sea, mixing fresh water and seawater on the bottom to create a mysterious environment where interesting creatures dwell – a veritable paradise for divers.