Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 11
THE MIYAKO ISLANDS
宮古諸島
Pristine waters, rich coral reefs
1
Miyakojima
宮古島
2
Irabujima
伊良部島
3
Shimojijima
下地島
4
Taramajima
多良間島
5
Minnajima
水納島
As often as you'll see references to the Miyako Island group as Miyako-shotō, you will just as
frequently see the group listed as Miyako-rettō (
宮古列島
) or Miyako-guntō (
宮古群島
). All
three terms are used. The Miyako group lies about halfway between Okinawa and Taiwan,
some 186 miles (297 kilometers) southwest of Naha, Okinawa, and around 75 miles (120 kilo-
meters) northeast of Ishigaki in the Yaeyama group. Less visited and less crowded by tourists
than the Yaeyamas, the Miyakos are nonetheless popular with divers. The islands have some
of the finest diving locations in the Ryukyus, with crystal-clear turquoise waters and pristine
coral reefs. These clear waters are welcomed by non-divers too. Many beach-goers come to the
Miyakos for the warm waters and clean, white sandy shores that are found throughout the is-
lands.
Altogether, there are eight islands in the chain with a combined area of 79 square miles
(205 square kilometers). Miyako is directly connected by bridges to two smaller islands, Ikema
in the north and Kurima in the south. In addition, there's tiny Ōgami Islet to the northeast and
the relatively large twin islands of Irabu and Shimoji to the west. Sometime in 2014 these lat-
ter two islands will also be connected by a great bridge to Miyako. That makes six islands, all
quite close to one another. The last two of the eight, Tarama and Minna, are around 40 miles
(60 kilometers) to the west.
By and large, all the islands are flat or moderately hilly. None are mountainous. The highest
point of all the islands is Miyako's Mt Yoko (
横岳
; Yoko-daké), at just under 375 feet (115
meters). The islands are almost entirely composed of coral and Ryukyu limestone. More than
half the total area is devoted to agriculture, mostly sugar cane, but also some tobacco and oth-
