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Miyako Island Graduation Trip
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Miyako Island Graduation Trip
The graduation trip is a major event that concludes the student's life.
If you are going to go, you want to make memories that will last a lifetime.
How about a trip to Miyako Island for such a graduation trip?
Miyako Island still retains its pristine and majestic nature, and visitors can encounter a variety of beautiful locations, such as the emerald green sea and rivers lined with precious mangroves.
Why Miyako Island is chosen for graduation trips
Graduation is a crossroads in life with friends who have spent a lot of time together.
Some will have busy jobs that do not allow much personal time, some will go to other places because of their employment, and some will go to other prefectures because of marriage.
Maybe some of them will never see each other again.
It is precisely because we are facing such a fork in the road on our graduation trip that we want to go out with a bang.
When you decide to go on a graduation trip, what destination first comes to mind?
If you and your friends have common interests, it is best to go somewhere along those lines, but if you cannot think of such a clear destination, many people may think of a resort.
Traditionally, famous overseas resorts such as Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, and Bali have been named as standard spots.
However, there are many domestic resorts that can also be recommended.
The first is that it is easy to prepare in advance.
Preparing for an overseas trip is more difficult than one might imagine, especially preparing a passport, which can be a hassle even for those who are used to traveling abroad.
The cost of a passport is 16,000 yen for a passport valid for 10 years or 11,000 yen for a passport valid for 5 years, and it is not issued immediately upon application, but there will be a time lag of several months.
One of the most common problems for graduation trips is this error of preparation in the passport application process.
In many cases, a group of good friends had planned to travel together, but one of them put off getting his or her passport ready, and as a result, the passport was not issued in time for the group to get together and a fight ensued.
And second, Japanese is spoken.
It may seem obvious, but not being able to communicate in a foreign language in an unfamiliar land is more inconvenient and anxiety-provoking than one might imagine.
It is all well and good if the itinerary goes smoothly, but the longer the itinerary, from four nights to five nights to a week, the more likely it is that unexpected problems will arise.
Of course, there is the advantage of gaining experience abroad, but if your priority is to create precious memories of your last days as a student, we recommend that you travel within Japan, where you can enjoy yourself without any language barriers.
And the third advantage is that it is by far the most cost-effective compared to international travel.
Overseas resorts such as Hawaii and Bali are famous for their blue waters, but domestic resorts are no less scenic.
In addition, Miyakojima Island, located further southwest than the main island of Okinawa, has a very mild springtime with high temperatures often exceeding 20°C even in midwinter.
Marine activities, the highlight of remote island tourism, can be enjoyed without worrying about the temperature, even in early spring.
Why not enjoy a stress-free graduation trip to Miyako Island, which combines the advantages of domestic travel with a foreign-like landscape?
5 Miyako Island Activities for Graduation Travel
Let us introduce you to some of the most exciting activities on Miyako Island.
One of the main features of Miyakojima activities is that a wide range of activities can be enjoyed, from standard activities to activities originating from overseas that have recently been gaining popularity.
(1) Sunrise Canoeing
It is said that the success or failure of a day while traveling is determined by how well you start your morning.
Why don't you start your graduation trip with an early-morning canoeing experience?
Mornings on Miyako Island are filled with a quiet and peaceful atmosphere that cannot be experienced in the city.
As you paddle out into the still dimly lit ocean, you will soon see the brilliant tropical sun rising over the horizon.
Many of the canoes used in the activity are two-person canoes, which are ideal for friends or couples.
As you are swayed by the waves while basking in the soothing morning sun, every cell in your body will be roused, and you will surely enjoy the day to the fullest.
Get your day off to a great start and enjoy your trip efficiently.
(2) SUP on a spectacular beach
SUP (Stand Up Paddle Surfing) is a new popular marine activity that originated in Hawaii.
The technique involves standing on a surfboard and paddling through the ocean using a paddle, and has attracted widespread attention, especially in Europe and the United States, for its relaxation and fitness benefits.
Surfboarding may sound difficult or challenging, but the reason for the popularity of this activity is the ease with which it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and both sexes.
The board is more stable than expected, and anyone can easily enjoy the sensation of being rocked by the waves once they get the hang of it a little.
The Miyako blue ocean of Miyako Island and SUPs, which are easy to balance on the water, go especially well together, and as long as waterproof measures are taken, you can take social media-worthy photos on the board.
It is highly recommended to observe colorful corals and tropical fish in the clear waters while enjoying a walk on the sea by SUP!
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is one of the most popular marine activities in Japan!
Miyako Island has a flat terrain, with no mountains or rivers on the island.
As a result, no soil or sand flows from the island to the sea through the river, and the sea of Miyakojima is one of the clearest in Okinawa Prefecture.
Diving in such Miyako blue waters wearing light equipment such as underwater glasses, a snorkel for breathing, and fins, you can see amazingly far into the clear waters.
The sea is so beautiful that some have likened it to a fairy tale dragon's palace, with its brightly colored corals and tropical fish swimming around in the subtropical zone.
If you are lucky, you may even meet a cute sea turtle and feel as if you are Taro Urashima.
4) Night Canoeing
One of the major advantages of Miyakojima is that its mild climate allows people to enjoy the waterfront from morning till night, and the same activity can be enjoyed at different times of the day.
Among these, night canoeing at night is the best way to enjoy the charm of the sea.
Because the air in Miyakojima is extremely clean, the sky is filled with stars on clear nights.
Drifting in a canoe on the pitch-black sea under such a night sky, you may feel as if you are swimming in the middle of the universe.
Canoeing is easy enough for even beginners to get used to, and you can even lie down on a canoe and stargaze.
Night canoeing is an activity that offers an extraordinary experience that cannot be had on the mainland, and it is an activity that is rapidly gaining popularity these days.
Why not try night canoeing as a great way to end a fun-filled day of travel?
(5) Diving
Snorkeling is a very popular activity because it is easy to try, but you cannot dive very deep because you need to breathe through the snorkel at the surface of the ocean.
If you want to enjoy the sea of Miyakojima more and explore it more thoroughly, why not try a little advanced diving?
Diving allows divers to breathe underwater because they wear special equipment such as tanks and regulators, and it allows them to dive deeper and enjoy underwater exploration for longer periods of time than snorkeling.
Diving is popular on Miyako Island, and even those with no diving experience can try diving with the help of professional instructors who will provide you with a safe and fulfilling diving experience.
If you join a local diving tour, an instructor who is familiar with the sea of Miyakojima will guide you to the best diving spots according to the sea conditions.
The probability of encountering sea turtles and manta rays increases while diving, so please look for them.
Here are the best places to visit on your graduation trip! 5 Sightseeing Spots in Miyako Island
Now, next, I would like to pick up five sightseeing spots that you should visit if you go to Miyako Island and introduce them to you.
Let's take a look at the charms of Miyako Island, which offers a rich variety of attractions, from beaches with beautiful scenery that you should visit at least once to hot spring facilities that will soothe the fatigue of your trip.
(1) Shigira Beach
If you are visiting Miyako Island, your first priority should be to check out the beaches overlooking the blue sea.
One of the most popular beaches on Miyako Island, which has many beaches, is Shigira Beach, which faces the sea in the southern part of Miyako Island.
Shigira Beach is located in the Shigira district, a resort area on Miyako Island, and is one of only two authorized beaches on Miyako Island.
The beach is famous for its white sand and blue ocean, which make it a photogenic beach, and for the sea turtle spot in front of it, where you have a high probability of encountering sea turtles.
In addition, various tourist facilities are extremely well-developed, and lifesavers are stationed along the beaches, so visitors can enjoy swimming, marine activities, and other ocean fun without worry.
If you want to enjoy the beaches of Miyako Island, why not start with Shigira Beach?
Location: Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 15 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
(2) Yonaha Maehama
Yonaha Maehama, also known as the best beach in the East, was named one of the top 10 best beaches in Japan by TripAdvisor in 2019.
Yonaha Maehama is certified as one of the two official beaches along with Shigira Beach, and is suitable for swimming and playing on the beach due to the safety of the shallow waters.
It is not suitable for snorkeling due to the lack of coral and tropical fish, but beach balls and floatation rings are available for rent, making it an ideal spot for marine sports.
The beach of Yonaha Maehama is characterized by its beautiful powdery fine white sand, which contrasts with the emerald green ocean stretching out before you like a painting.
Capture the memories of a lifetime at the world-class beauty of Yonaha Maehama Beach!
Location: Shimoji Aza Yonaha, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 15 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
Shinshiro Coast
Shinshiro Beach is located 30 minutes by car from Miyako Airport, and is characterized by a shallow coral reef formation called an ino (reef pond) that extends 500 meters offshore.
It boasts a high degree of transparency compared to other beaches, and the abundance of coral and tropical fish makes it a highly popular snorkeling spot.
The sea near the Aragusuku Coast is characterized by a colony of coral called yubieda hamasango.
The branch-like bodies of these corals are shaped to provide suitable hiding places, and you will see a beautiful scene of diverse marine life such as sparrows, bobtail, and crown-of-thorns starfish.
The nearby Yoshino Coast is also famous as a snorkeling spot because of its many coral and tropical fish.
It is fun to try snorkeling at the two spots in turn and see the differences in the marine environment at each location.
所在地：沖縄県宮古島市字新城
Access: 30 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
4) Miyakojima Onsen
ご存知でない方も多いのですが、実は温泉は宮古島の隠れた観光資源の1つ。
島内にはいくつかの温泉が点在しており、その中でもオススメなのが宮古島温泉です。
宮古島温泉は約50℃の源泉を調整した42度ほどの湯温となっており、熱すぎる湯でのぼせてしまうこともなく心地よく過ごすことができます。
大浴場や露天風呂、打たせ湯にジャグジー、サウナなど温泉に備わっていてほしい設備は一通り揃っており、マリンアクティビティや海水浴で遊び尽くした体を癒すのにぴったりです。
足湯もあるので時間がない方は足湯だけ立ち寄っても良いですね。
所在地：沖縄県宮古島市平良東仲宗根添1898-19
Access: 10 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
5) Snow Salt Museum
宮古島の名産品として有名なのが、サラサラとしたパウダー状に精製された雪塩です。
ふわりときめ細かな雪塩はミネラルを多く含んでいることから人気が高く、雪塩ミュージアムという施設ではそんな雪塩の精製過程を見学することができます。
併設された売店では雪塩を用いた雪塩石鹸や雪塩ちんすこう、雪塩ソフトクリームなども販売されており、スイーツを楽しんだりお土産を購入するにはもってこいの場所となっています。
特に柔らかな塩気が甘さを引き立てる雪塩ソフトクリームは絶品ですので、訪れた際はぜひ味わってみてくださいね！
所在地：沖縄県宮古島市平良字狩俣191
アクセス：宮古空港から車で26分
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
summary
宮古島の卒業旅行についてご紹介させていただきましたが、いかがだったでしょうか。
美しい景観や非日常的な体験に溢れた宮古島への旅行は、学生時代のフィナーレを彩る最高の1シーンとなってくれること間違いなしです。
大切な友達との思い出作りに、ぜひ宮古島を訪れてみてはいかがでしょうか。
This article was written by.
