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Miyako Island with children
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What is traveling with children in Miyako Island?
When trying to travel, some people with small children may find that they are limited in the spots and tours they can enjoy, and that they are unable to fully enjoy their trip.
Miyako Island is an easy place to travel with children.
This is because there are many spots on Miyako Island that you can enjoy with your young children.
In addition, the climate is mild throughout the year, making it easy for children to stay comfortable and manage their physical condition, so they can enjoy their trip without anxiety.
In addition to accommodations and restaurants, there are many parks and other places that are accessible to children.
Features and Reasons to Travel with Children on Miyako Island
Miyako Island can be reached in a relatively short time, approximately 3 hours by direct flight from Haneda Airport and 2 hours from Kansai Airport, making it a travel destination with little travel time burden for children.
Miyako Island is rich in nature and offers a relaxing atmosphere that cannot be experienced in the city center.
For adults as well as young children, a trip to Miyako Island can be a very valuable experience.
On Miyako Island, visitors can enjoy activities on natural beaches and swimming.
With a wide variety of activities such as driving, sea kayaking, and glass boating, there are many safe ways to enjoy the area with children.
Miyako Island Spots to Visit with Your Children
(1) Maja Kaigan
Maika Beach is located in the eastern part of Miyako Island.
Despite the beauty of the beach, it is a hole-in-the-wall beach with few tourists because it is not often mentioned in guidebooks.
You can enjoy a sense of privacy without being overly concerned about your surroundings.
The shallow waters make it safe for children to enjoy swimming in the sea, which is a great point for travelers with children.
At the end of the sea, you can see the island of Ogami, which is called the island of God.
Although it is a natural beach, it is equipped with restroom facilities.
However, there are no vending machines or stores, so purchase drinks, snacks, and other food items in advance and bring them with you.
Location: Hirara Nishihara, Miyakojima City, Okinawa
Access: 24 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: Yes
Nakanoshima Beach (also known as Kayaffa Beach)
Nakanoshima Beach is a natural beach located near Shimoji Airport.
From Miyako Island, it can be reached by car via Irabu Island, crossing the Irabu Bridge.
Compared to other beaches, it is characterized by a large number of tropical fish.
This makes it a popular snorkeling spot.
Surrounded by intricate bays, the sea is calm with few waves entering.
Fish swim even in the shallows, so you can enjoy snorkeling to observe them, or play on the shore.
Observe more than 100 species of tropical fish in the crystal clear waters!
The intricate topography also allows for diving exploration of dynamic terrain.
However, there are no restrooms or stores nearby, so be sure to finish your visit beforehand.
Location: Beside the runway of Shimojishima Airport, Irabu Sawada, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 30 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None
(iii) Kawamitsu mangrove
Mangroves have a strong image of Iriomote Island and Ishigaki Island, but Miyako Island also has mangroves.
One such example is the Kawamitsu mangrove.
Spring water from the Ocheon (Upukar) flows into the sea, and mangroves grow in brackish water where the spring water mixes with seawater.
The mangroves that grow here are mangrove plants of the Hirugiaceae family, such as Yaeyama Hirugi and Ohirugi.
Although it is a small mangrove, it is a great place to observe the mangrove and its inhabitants with your children.
Unfortunately, it is currently closed due to damage to the wooden path, but it is one of the places we hope you will visit when it is restored.
In the Kawamitsu mangroves, you can cruise by canoe or SUP.
When the wooden road is restored and you are able to visit, please visit.
Location: Kawamitsu, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 5 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None
Sanitz Fureai Hiroba (④Sanitz Fureai Hiroba
Sanitsu Fureai Hiroba is located 15 minutes by car from Miyako Airport.
The giant monument of Miyako horses is the symbol of the Fureai Plaza.
The large grounds are a nice place to stop for lunch or to take a break from driving.
However, there is no concession stand, so remember to bring your own food and beverages if you plan to spend time there.
The Sanitzuhama Carnival and the Miyako Kakuriki Tournament are also held on the adjacent Sanitzuhama (Yonaha Bay) tidal flat.
Migratory birds are known to fly to the mudflats here, so look for them when you visit during the season.
Location: Shimoji Yonaha, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 15 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: Yes
5) Heisei no Mori Park
Heisei no Mori Park is located near the beach of Sawada in the western part of Irabu Island.
It is one of the largest parks on Irabu Island and has various facilities within the park, including
◾️ Facilities in Heisei no Mori Park Park
Multipurpose Plaza
Baseball field
Athletic field
Bird-watching trails
This park is well known by locals but not yet well known by tourists, so you will be able to spend some quality time with your children.
The park's athletic playground equipment is extensive, including, for example, a bird-shaped slide and a long roller coaster, which can be fully enjoyed by adults as well as children.
The parking lot is easy to use, and it is also a good place to take a refreshing break from driving.
Location: 1822-1 Nagahama, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 29 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: Yes
Miyako Island Activities for Children
1) Pumpkin Cave Caving
On Miyako Island, there is an unusual stalactite cave called the Pumpkin Cave.
Note that since the limestone caves can only be entered from the sea, it may not be possible to visit them depending on the sea conditions.
After swimming and entering the cave, you will see a huge stalactite that appears in front of you, which is called the Pumpkin Cave because it is shaped like a pumpkin (= pumpkin).
The shape and size of these stalactites are very impressive.
The limestone caves are filled with icicles, stone pillars, and other natural formations that are sure to arouse children's curiosity and delight them.
There are many other stalactites of various shapes and mysterious forms.
It is said that finding a newborn stalactite will bring you good luck, so be sure to look for it.
It is also said that if you dive from the top of the pumpkin stalactites, your wish will come true, so it might be a good idea to think about your wish beforehand.
If you are afraid of jumping in, you can go down along the pumpkin stalactites.
(2) Tropical Snorkeling Tour
Miyako Island and the other Miyako Islands were formed by coral uplift.
The sea surrounding Miyako Island, which is closely related to coral, is teeming with colorful coral and tropical fish that use coral as their habitat.
The clarity of the water is so high that snorkelers can observe the vivid colors of the sea while floating on the surface.
It can be said that it is only in the sea of Miyakojima that you can encounter not only tropical fish but also sea turtles.
The undersea area, bathed in tropical sunlight, is very beautiful, and together with colorful tropical fish and other creatures, it is filled with rich colors that make it a natural art museum.
(3) Sea kayak
How about a cruising experience in the world-class clear waters of Miyako Island by sea kayak, one of the most popular activities on the island?
Its high transparency makes it possible to observe underwater coral reefs and tropical fish even while riding in a sea kayak.
One of the unique pleasures of Miyakojima is the opportunity to observe underwater life while leisurely canoe cruising in the calm waters.
Sunrise SUP Tour
A recommended activity to enjoy Miyako Island in the early morning is the Sunrise SUP Tour.
SUP is a popular marine activity in recent years that involves standing on a surf boat and paddling forward.
It may seem difficult, but it is surprisingly easy to do, so even first-timers can easily get started.
Few people have experienced SUP while watching the sunrise.
Sunrise SUP offers the rare experience of standing on a surf boat at the surface of the ocean and watching the sun slowly appear.
Sunrise SUP in the clear Miyako Island air is the ultimate way to experience the mystery of nature.
Early morning activities are recommended to make the most of the day.
Please join the Sunrise SUP tour and enjoy your day in Miyako Island to the fullest!
(5) Full day plan!
The last plan introduced here is a plan that allows you to fully enjoy Miyako Island in one day!
This plan includes SUP/canoe cruising, snorkeling, and limestone cave caving.
At the beginning of the tourChoose between SUP and canoeing,Enjoy the Miyako blue from the sea.
After cruising, we will go snorkeling to observe coral and fish.
On this tour, you will be able to feel the beautiful sea of Miyako Island with your whole body.
If you are lucky, you may even see sea turtles.
After snorkeling, we will go caving in the Pumpkin Cave.
Make your skin smooth with a mud mask, and finally make your wish come true by diving into the Pumpkin Hole!
This plan is perfect for those who want to fully enjoy Miyako Island in a day.
summary
We introduced travel with children in Miyako Island.
How was it?
There are many sightseeing spots and tours on Miyako Island that can be enjoyed with children.
Please consider Miyako Island when you are thinking of traveling with your children!
Thank you for reading to the end.
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