Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ferry was discontinued. It is no longer possible to sail to Miyako or the Yaeyamas. Local fer-
ries still connect some of the lesser islands in the Miyako chain to Miyakojima.
Miyako Airport on the west side of Miyakojima.
The Hirara-Irabu passenger ferry.
The most famous Miyako-shotō natural annual event is the Yaébishi (
やえびし
), named
for Yabiji Reef (
八重干瀬
; Yabijisera), a huge coral reef north of Ikemajima, at the top end of
Miyako. Every year, in early March, during the lowest spring tides of the year, a vast coral reef
appears from beneath the sea, seemingly rising like the legendary city of Atlantis. It's mag-
nificent but, unfortunately, the reef becomes a magnet attracting coral hunters and shellfish
gatherers. Hordes of “collectors” come equipped with crowbars and rock hammers to smash
and pry away anything they can get their hands on.
The most famous man-made event is the annual Miyako “Strong-Man” Competition (
全
日本トライアスロン 宮古島大会
; Zen Nihon torai asuron Miyako jima taikai), a triathlon
that attracts more than 1,500 athletes from all over Japan and overseas. Held around the third
week of April, it's comprised of a 4-mile (6-kilometer) swim, 95 miles (152 kilometers) of
cycling and a 26-mile (42- kilometer) running marathon. The event, reserved for those who
really wish to prove how fit they are, can take up to 14 hours.
