Miyakojima
Miyakojima is a flat island in Okinawa known for pale sand beaches and clear reef water, with a quiet pace suited to a beach-focused trip.
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Miyakojima is one of the Miyako Islands in the Ryukyu chain, part of Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan. The island is relatively flat and surrounded by coral reefs, and much of its land is given over to sugarcane fields. Its beaches are the main draw, including Yonaha Maehama, a long sandbar lined with shallow, clear water. A short flight from Naha, the capital of Okinawa, is the most direct way in.
The island suits a beach trip with snorkeling, diving and a slower pace than Okinawa's larger resort areas. Three to four days covers the main beaches and a day on the water. Ikema Island is linked to Miyakojima by a bridge, so you can drive over to it. Summer brings the warmest water, but typhoon season runs from roughly summer into autumn, so check conditions before you book.
Miyakojima in five
- Rent a car and drive on the leftMiyakojima has no train, so most visitors rent a car for the beaches and the bridges to the nearby islands. Japan drives on the left, and rental cars have the steering wheel on the right.Getting around
- Carry an International Driving PermitA home licence alone is not enough for driving in Japan. Get an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention before you leave home.
- Set up an eSIM before you landMaps, ferry times and booking pages are all online, so get data working before you leave Miyako Airport.Phones and eSIM
- Carry yen in cashSmall restaurants and food stalls often take only cash, so withdraw yen at the airport or in Hirara before you head out.Money and costs
- Insure the trip against typhoon delaysTyphoons can cancel flights to and from Miyako Airport, and ferries stop in storms. Choose insurance that covers cancelled trips and missed connections.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Yen (JPY)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryCool, windy
- FebruaryCool, rainy
- MarchMild, windy
- AprilMild, clear
- MayWarm, clear
- JuneRainy season
- JulyHot, typhoons
- AugustTyphoon risk
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberAutumn, calmer
- NovemberMild, dry
- DecemberCool, quiet
Right now in Miyakojima
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 23°
- Humidity
- 78%
- Wind
- 38 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 63%
Miyakojima
06:59 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today26°24°63%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Wed27°25°10%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu28°24°7%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Fri26°24°24%Friday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Sat26°24°15%Saturday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Sun27°24°14%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Mon26°23°39%Monday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 39%.
Updated 04:55 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Ikema Islandabout 20 to 30 min by car from HiraraA small island reached by a bridge, with a quiet beach and simple places to eat.
- Yonaha Maehama Beachabout 20 to 30 min by car from HiraraA long white sand beach on the southwest coast, best reached early before the parking fills.
- Ishigakiabout 1 to 1.5 hours by high-speed ferryA larger island with more restaurants and shops, reached by ferry from Hirara port.Read the guide
Before you go to Miyakojima
Rules for Miyakojima, checked
- Japan has a zero limit for drink driving, so do not drive after any alcohol, even one drink.
- Your home licence must be carried with an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
- Some medicines need an import certificate in Japan. Check the list with Japan Customs before you pack prescription medicine.Source
- Many nationalities need no visa for a short tourist stay in Japan. Check your eligibility on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa page before you book.Source
Plan around Miyakojima
Regions, entry rules and transport for a Japan trip
Read the guideOkinawa prefectureThe prefecture, its islands and the ferries between them
Read the guideGetting aroundCar hire, flights and ferries between the islands
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa for a short tourist stay in Japan
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a day on the island
Read the guideWhere to stayHirara and the beach hotels on the main island
Read the guideMiyakojima FAQ
How do you get to Miyakojima?
Fly into Miyako Airport from Naha and other Japanese cities. Ferries from Ishigaki also run, so check the timetable before you plan the trip.
How many days do you need in Miyakojima?
Three to four days cover the main beaches, the bridges and a day in Hirara. Add a day if you want to visit Ishigaki by ferry.
Is Miyakojima worth visiting?
Yes, if you want beaches, quiet and a drive round the island. It is a poor fit if you want nightlife, since the evenings are quiet.
When is the best time to visit Miyakojima?
April to May and October to November. Typhoons peak from August to September, and June is the rainy season.
Do you need a car on Miyakojima?
Yes for most trips. There is no train, and most beaches and sights are a drive from Hirara.
Is Miyakojima safe for tourists?
Standard precautions apply. The island is flat and open to the sun, so carry water and sun cover.