Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
slightly slower passenger and vehicle ferries sail from Miyako every hour or 90 minutes all
day long. The fast ferries take 15 minutes, the vehicle ferries take 25. Sarahama is the largest
village on Irabu and although most people visit the island on a day trip from Miyako, it's pos-
sible to spend the night as there are several
minshuku
in town. As rapid and as convenient
as the ferry service is, it will soon be obsolete. For the past five years, construction of what is
soon to be the longest bridge in Japan is nearing an end.
Toguchi Beach is famous for its perfect sand.
The longest bridge in Japan connects Irabujima at left and Miyakojima at right.
Makiyama Observatory, built in the shape of a giant bird of prey on the highest cliffs of Irabujima, allows
splendid views of the surroundings.
Irabu's shape is quite that of an egg, lying down a little to the left. At its greatest length
it's 5 miles (8 kilometers) long. At its greatest width, it's almost 3 miles (5 kilometers) acros.
Its total surface area measures 11 square miles (29 square kilometers). It is the second largest
island of the Miyako chain and is mostly covered with sugar cane. In addition to Sarahama,
