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Miyako Island Silver Week
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What is Silver Week in Miyako Island?
Silver Week is a major holiday weekend that comes in the fall.
Many people visit Miyako Island during the Silver Week.
Miyako Island may have a strong image of summer, but it is possible to fully enjoy Miyako Island in autumn as well!
Summer, when guest traffic reaches its peak, will pass, and the weather will be relatively pleasant.
You can enjoy sightseeing at a leisurely pace, and of course, you can also experience standard marine sports!
Why don't you spend a wonderful Silver Week in Miyako Island?
Therefore, we would like to introduce Miyakojima Island, a recommended travel destination for the Silver Week.
Features and Reasons to Visit Miyako Island during Silver Week
After summer, when the number of visitors reaches its peak, autumn on Miyako Island is relatively comfortable.
Since there will be fewer other tourists, you will be able to enjoy a trip with a high degree of freedom.
Another advantage is that travel costs are lower than in summer, making it easier to visit.
And when you come to Miyako Island, you may want to enjoy marine sports such as snorkeling and canoeing.
Marine sports can be enjoyed well into autumn!
Even in late September, the weather remains mild, so there is no need to worry that "I might not be able to go in the ocean." You don't need to worry that you might not be able to enter the ocean.
Jellyfish also occur around fall, but this is not a problem since most beaches are covered with jellyfish-proof nets.
However, sudden squalls (passing rain) are hard to predict, so please check the weather forecast.
Temperatures are lower than in the summer, but with highs of 30°C on some days, it is still a hot and humid season.
Therefore, clothing should be the same as in summer, with short sleeves and short pants.
5 Recommended Silver Week Activities in Miyako Island
Here are five recommended activities you can experience on Miyako Island.
The clean ocean of Miyako Island is the best environment for enjoying activities.
If you want to experience marine sports on Miyako Island, please check it out.
Silver Week Activities in Miyako Island (1) Sunset SUP
SUP stands for stand-up paddle, a new type of activity in which you stand on a board and paddle!
This marine sport originated in Hawaii and has become increasingly popular on Miyako Island in recent years.
Sunset SUP allows you to enjoy the beautiful sunset while enjoying SUP!
Miyako Island is rich in nature and the air is clean, so you will be able to see beautiful sunsets.
The sight of the blue sky and sea gradually fading into azure is truly spectacular!
You can spend a luxurious time enjoying the sunset of Miyako Island while enjoying a relaxing trip on the water by SUP.
Sunset SUP is a photo-worthy activity that we highly recommend experiencing.
Standing on the water with the sunset in the background is a fantastic sight.
It is so popular among women that there is even a hashtag "#SUP girls" on Instagram!
SUP sounds fun, but is it safe for beginners?" Please feel free to give it a try.
If you join a tour, you can rent equipment and a local instructor will guide you carefully.
SUP boards are more stable than they look, so with a little practice you will be able to paddle easily.
Even if you fall into the sea, the clean Miyako blue ocean will give you peace of mind.
The appeal of SUP is that it can be enjoyed by anyone!
In addition to sunset SUP, you can also enjoy the wonderful scenery of Miyako Island by SUP in the early morning or at night.
Let's enjoy the great nature of Miyako Island by SUP!
Silver Week Activities in Miyako Island (2) Sea Turtle Snorkeling
You can also enjoy snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of Miyako Island!
The many coral reefs, even in shallow water, are great for snorkeling.
Underwater, you can encounter colorful corals and tropical fish as well as cute sea turtles!
If you join the tour, the guide will take you to the point where you have a high probability of seeing sea turtles.
The clear waters are so clear that you can see 50 meters ahead, making it very easy to look for sea turtles!
Sea turtles are said to be difficult to encounter, but it may be more unusual not to encounter them on Miyakojima.
If you would like to see sea turtles, please join a snorkeling tour.
If you want to try snorkeling but are not good at swimming, you don't need to worry about it at all!
The guide will take your hand and support you so you can enjoy snorkeling safely.
Even if you cannot swim at all, you will feel like a fish in the sea of Miyakojima.
Leave your best memories with sea turtles in this classic Okinawan snorkeling experience!
Silver Week Activities in Miyako Island (3) Sea Kayaking
Sea kayaking is one of the classic activities.
Paddle in a boat and enjoy an elegant trip on the water.
When you get tired, you can put down your paddle and look around at the view of Miyako Island.
The boat is also a great way to look into the crystal-clear ocean and see fish swimming happily in the water!
Would you like to experience cruising while enjoying the sea breeze and the scenery to the fullest?
Even if you have never held a kayak paddle before, please feel free to join our tours if you are interested!
With the help of an instructor, you will be able to paddle easily.
Also, kayak boats are very stable and will not tip over and sink.
It can be ridden by two or three people, so it is recommended for those who want to have fun with family or friends!
Miyako Island Silver Week Activity 4: Sunrise Canoeing
Canoeing is another recommended activity.
What's the difference between a canoe and a kayak?" I will explain a little, as many of you may wonder.
The kayaks feature "double-blade paddles" with a water scraper on each end of the paddle.
In contrast, canoes are "single blade paddles" with the water scraper on only one side of the paddle.
Generally, kayaks are suited for people who travel long distances, while canoes are suited for those who want to relax and enjoy themselves. Sunrise Canoeing allows you to go out to sea early in the morning in such a canoe and enjoy the sunrise!
The sunrise in the clear air is a spectacular sight to behold.
If you want to enjoy Miyako Island to the fullest from the morning, let's start the day with a sunrise canoe ride!
Canoeing beginners are of course welcome!
The tour guide will take care of all the necessary equipment and paddling techniques.
Like kayaking, it is possible for two or three people to ride in a boat!
Silver Week Activities in Miyako Island (5) Glass Boat
Last but not least is the glass boat.
The glass boat is a boat with a transparent glass bottom, which allows visitors to observe the underwater world from inside the boat!
The sea of Miyako Island is home to countless coral reefs and beautiful tropical fish.
For those who want to spend time at leisure instead of physical marine sports, glass boats are recommended.
Even small children and the elderly who are unable to do marine sports can easily participate.
Another attraction is that the boats are roofed, so you can cruise without worrying about sudden rain.
Glass boats are an activity that can be enjoyed year-round, allowing visitors to enjoy the marine world without touching a drop of water!
Anyone can enjoy the sea of Miyako Island, so please join the tour if you are interested.
Five recommended sightseeing spots for Silver Week in Miyako Island
Here are some recommended sightseeing spots on Miyako Island where you can enjoy sightseeing and activities.
There are numerous places we would like to recommend, but we have carefully selected five spots.
If you are wondering where to go in Miyako Island, please choose one of these five!
Recommended sightseeing spots for Silver Week in Miyako Island (1) Imugyah Marine Garden
Imugya Marine Garden is a beach with unique topography located on the south coast of Miyako Island.
Imgyar means "enclosed spring" and features a sea surrounded by rocks and trees.
It is also called a "natural swimming pool" because of its topography, and is one of the most popular beaches on Miyako Island!
The beach is very quiet because the intricate topography isolates the wind and waves from the outside world.
The waves are calm, so even children can enjoy swimming safely.
It is also a great spot for snorkeling, with coral reefs and tropical fish in abundance!
You can swim with cute tropical fish, including the bears made popular by the movie.
There is a promenade and an observatory near the beach, so a leisurely stroll and view of Miyako Island is also recommended.
From the observatory, marked by a Miyako cow sculpture, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Miyako blue sea with its shining coral reefs!
Let's enjoy both sightseeing and playing in the ocean at Imgaya Marine Garden.
Location: 605-2 Aza-Tomori, Jobe, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 30 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Meals: Available
Toilet: Yes
Recommended sightseeing spots during Silver Week in Miyako Island (2) Higa Road Park
Higa Road Park, located on the east coast of Miyako Island, is famous for its spectacular views of Miyako Island.
Higa Road Park is located at an elevation of 98.2 meters, and many visitors take a break here to enjoy the scenery.
Looking down from the observation space on the precipitous cliff, the East China Sea can be seen through to the bottom of the ocean!
The view of the ocean is so beautiful and spectacular that you can even see coral reefs and reefs on the ocean floor.
On a clear day, you can even see Ogami Island, called "God's Island," across the sea.
Higa Road Park is also famous as a sunrise spot.
On New Year's Day, many tourists and locals come to see the first sunrise of the year.
It is also a popular starry sky spot, attracting many people to Higa Road Park at night!
The clean air and few streetlights make it the best environment for viewing the star-filled sky.
Weather permitting, the Milky Way and shooting stars will be clearly visible.
If you want to enjoy the spectacular view of Miyako Island, please visit Higa Road Park!
Address: Aza Higa, Jobe, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 18 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Fee: Free of charge
Parking: Available
Toilet: Yes
Recommended sightseeing spots during Silver Week in Miyako Island (3) Obi Iwa
Across the Irabu Bridge from Miyakojima is a remote island called Shimojijima.
Obi Iwa is a huge rock on the west coast of Shimoji Island.
It is named for its shape, which resembles a tightened obi (sash).
It is about 12.5 meters high, so it will be easy to find.
It is said that Obiwa-iwa is a tsunami rock that was washed up to the top of the hill by the "Meiwa-no-tsunami" in 1772.
The Meiwa tsunami is said to have been a tidal wave of more than 10 meters high, and the obiwa rocks were carried along with the waves.
The fact that such a huge rock was carried away shows the extent of the damage caused by the great tsunami.
There were other huge rocks besides Obiwa, but they were destroyed during the construction of Shimojishima Airport.
However, only the Obiwa remains on Shimoji Island to this day to tell the sad story of those days.
Such an obiwa is believed by the local people to be a sacred object for praying for family safety and a great catch of fish.
You too should take a glance at the great belt rock.
Address: Sawada, Irabu, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 20 minutes by car from Sarahama Port
Parking: Available
Restaurant: None
Toilet: None
Recommended sightseeing spots during Silver Week in Miyako Island (4) Taragawa Sake Brewery
Taragawa is a long-established sake brewery with a history of about 70 years.
It is famous for producing famous Okinawan sake such as "Ryukyu Dynasty," "Taragawa," and "Kyuon.
We store your order of Awamori for 5 years to slowly mature it before delivering it to you.
Choose your favorite one and taste it on an important occasion such as your coming-of-age ceremony or wedding.
And Taragawa also offers free sake brewery tours!
Visitors can watch a video of the Awamori production process and take a direct tour of the cellar.
Please come and see with your own eyes the storage house where the thoughts and feelings of various people lie dormant.
Address: 85 Sunagawa, Shirobe, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Hours of operation: 10:00 - 16:30
Closed: Sunday, Lunar New Year's Holidays, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, GW
Recommended sightseeing spots during Silver Week in Miyako Island (5) Nakahara Cave
On the nature-rich island of Miyako, limestone caves are also popular tourist attractions.
There are many limestone caves, but the one I will introduce here is the Nakabari Cave.
Nakahara Cave is privately owned, so when visiting, please contact the owner, Mr. Kamisato, in advance for a guided tour.
You may not recognize it at a quick glance because it is a limestone cave tucked away in a sugarcane field.
Passing through the mysterious entrance, you will see a limestone cave surrounded by greenery and light.
There is a place called "Maliabu" in Nakahara Cave, and if you pray here, you will be blessed with a child.
Mari" means "to be born" and is famous as a power spot for marriage and success in business.
There are many other strangely shaped stones, creating an atmosphere of sheer mystery.
Please visit the Nakahara Cave and experience the mystery of nature.
Address: 1114 Aza-Tomori, Jobe, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Business hours: 10:00-17:00
Closed: No regular holidays
summary
We introduced the Silver Week in Miyako Island.
How was it?
Even after summer has passed, it is still possible to fully enjoy your trip on Miyako Island.
There are many places to enjoy sightseeing and activities to make the best memories.
In addition, warm days continue even in September, so many people enjoy marine sports!
So please come to Miyako Island during the Silver Week and have a wonderful time.
We hope this article will help you on your journey!
Thank you for reading to the end.