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Miyako Island Winter
Hello everyone!
What kind of image do you have of Miyako Island in winter?
In winter, Miyako Island is of course colder than other seasons, but it is much more comfortable and warmer than winters on the mainland.
We will introduce you to Miyako Island's winter climate and temperature, how to spend the winter, sightseeing spots, activities, and more.
Please refer to it as a potential winter destination.
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Spend winter on Miyako Island with its mild climate!
Miyako Island is one of the best resort areas in Japan, but winter is a surprisingly good time to visit.
In winter, it is indeed difficult to swim with only a bathing suit, but it is not so cold if you wear a wetsuit.
There are also many activities that can be enjoyed without going into the ocean.
Compared to seasons such as summer, when many people visit for sightseeing, the cost of lodging and airfare will be lower, which will save you money.
One of the charms of Miyako Island in winter is that the sun is not as piercing as it is in summer, so you can spend your time in comfort.
As you can see, there are many advantages unique to Miyakojima in winter.
Please consider Miyako Island as a winter travel destination!
Winter Climate of Miyako Island
First, let us introduce the climate of Miyako Island in winter, which is of most concern.
It is hard to image whether winters in Miyakojima are cold or warm.
As mentioned above, Miyako Island is a tropical island, but of course it gets cold in winter when considering Miyako Island's year-round climate.
However, it is not as freezing cold as in Tokyo and other urban centers.
Even in January and February, when temperatures are at their lowest on Miyako Island, the lowest temperature is about 15 degrees Celsius, which is unimaginably mild for the mainland.
It is nice to spend winter on Miyako Island, where the weather is poka-poka sunny, which is unthinkable on the mainland!
Miyako Island is a popular winter resort
In the city center, temperatures are often in the single digits in winter, and the cold building winds blowing between the forested buildings make the temperature feel even lower.
In this respect, Miyakojima Island has a maximum temperature of nearly 21 degrees Celsius even in the coldest season, and the minimum temperature rarely drops below 15 degrees Celsius.
There are almost no buildings in the area, so you will not be exposed to cold building winds, and you can spend your time comfortably.
For these reasons, Miyako Island can be considered a "winter resort" where cold weather can be avoided.
Winter Clothing in Miyako Island
As mentioned above, winter on Miyako Island is relatively warm, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 21 degrees Celsius even on the coldest days.
The temperature itself can be said to be warm, but one thing to keep in mind is that the north wind is strong in winter on Miyako Island.
However, the strong northerly wind makes the temperature feel cooler than it actually is, but still not as cold as the building winds in the city.
Therefore, a jacket or one piece of clothing made of windproof material will be more comfortable as a protection against the north wind.
Rest assured that you do not need to put on a down jacket to protect yourself from the cold, as you do on the mainland.
It is possible to spend enough time on Miyako Island in winter by preparing long sleeves, long pants, windbreakers and jackets.
Once inside the facility, you may be able to wear short sleeves underneath if you have a windbreaker, as it is heated or has floor heating.
Nevertheless, it can inevitably get cold at night, so those who are concerned should prepare thick gloves and socks.
Is it possible to go into the sea in Miyakojima in winter?
Speaking of Miyako Island, marine activities are popular, but is it possible to play in the sea even in winter?
As mentioned above, the minimum and maximum temperatures on Miyako Island in winter are around 15 and 21 degrees Celsius, respectively, but the water temperature is actually higher than the air temperature, often 21 to 22 degrees Celsius.
The unique thing about Miyako Island in winter is that it is strangely warmer in the ocean than on land.
Nevertheless, a strong north wind blowing on a wet body will cause rapid loss of body heat.
To prevent this, be sure to wear a wetsuit when entering the winter waters of Miyakojima.
Wetsuits allow for high buoyancy in addition to being almost imperceptibly cold.
Wetsuits are essential to enjoy snorkeling and diving in the winter sea of Miyakojima.
If you are not comfortable going into the ocean, join in activities that do not involve going into the ocean, such as glassboarding tours, paragliding, and parasailing.
Since there are no rivers on Miyako Island, sediment and muddy water rarely flow into seawater.
This is why the seawater of Miyako Island is very clear.
In addition, it is said that the transparency of the sea increases as the water temperature drops, and the winter sea of Miyakojima is extremely transparent compared to the summer sea, which is another highlight of Miyakojima in winter.
Winter is also the best season for snorkeling and diving!
Five recommended winter sightseeing spots on Miyako Island
1) Shigira Kogane Onsen
Shigira Kogane Onsen is a natural hot spring located in the Shigira area, a resort area in southern Miyakojima.
True to its name, the hot spring is characterized by the golden color of its water.
Salty spa water has a high mineral content.
In addition to a wide variety of hot spring baths, including open-air baths and natural hot springs, there is also a fitness gym and a swimming pool that uses natural hot spring water, so there are many ways to enjoy the spa.
It is a great spot to heal and relax after activities!
Address: 1405-223 Ueno-Shinri, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Phone number: 0980-74-7340
HP: http://www.nanseirakuen.com/onsen/index.html
(2) Imgarma Marine Garden
Imgaya Marine Garden is a beach that takes advantage of the intricate topography of the southern coast of Miyako Island.
The intricate topography acts as a breakwater, and even in winter, the waves are less affected by the northerly winds and are calmer.
The sea here is also rich in coral and tropical fish, making it a perfect place for snorkeling and observing the creatures!
You can also encounter the bears and butterfly fish made popular by Disney's popular "Finding Nemo" movie.
The observatory and boardwalk also offer beautiful views of the sunrise, sunset, and starlit sky.
Therefore, even those who do not engage in marine activities will be able to enjoy themselves.
Location: 605-2 Aza-Tomori, Jobe, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 30 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
(iii) Kaiho Kaikan
If you would like to learn more about the sea creatures of Miyako Island, please visit the Kaihokan!
This is known for its exhibits of sea creatures, especially shells, which are the largest in Asia in terms of number and variety.
The director, a professional diver himself, dives into the world's oceans and collects shells.
At Kaiyokan, you can make accessories using seashells and visit the souvenir corner to make memories of Miyako Island.
Also, from the grand observation restaurant, you can enjoy the beautiful emerald green Miyako blue ocean view and enjoy dishes made with Miyako Island seafood.
The food on the shells of the shako mussels is sure to excite you, as they look amazing.
Address: 591-1 Aza-Hora, Jobe, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, 906-0101, Japan
Phone number: 0980-77-2323
HP: http://kaihoukan.co.jp/
4) Wai Wai Beach
Waiwai Beach is an artificial beach surrounded by tetrapods on the south coast of Miyako Island.
It is a sandy beach with calm waves and has long been famous for its high rate of encounters with sea turtles.
For this reason, many people visit the area on sea turtle snorkeling tours.
In addition, since the sea here is shallow, the color of the sea surface changes in a gradation pattern depending on the depth of the water.
Therefore, even if you do not go into the sea, you can enjoy the sea itself just by looking at it from land.
Address: 962 Ueno, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 14 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Restaurant: None
Toilet: Yes
5) Snow Salt Museum
On Miyakojima Island, there is a factory that refines a fine, powdery salt called snow salt.
Here, there is a snow salt museum where visitors can observe the snow salt production process and where products related to snow salt are sold.
This snow salt has been awarded the Monde Selection gold medal!
The store attached to this facility sells products made from snow salt, such as snow salt soap, snow salt chinsuko, and snow salt soft serve ice cream.
The excellent soft-serve ice cream can only be found here, so be sure to try it!
Location: 191 Aza-Karimata, Hirara, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
Access: 26 minutes by car from Miyako Airport
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
5 Recommended Winter Activities in Miyako Island
Miyako Island has a mild climate even in winter, so activities can be enjoyed without problems!
Here are five winter activities on Miyako Island that are sure to please.
Miyako Island Fishing
The first activity we will introduce is Miyakojima Fishing.
The sea around Miyako Island, created by uplifted coral, is teeming with coral, and the quantity and variety of fish that inhabit it are extremely large.
This makes it an ideal place for fishing.
In the waters of Miyako Island, you can catch tropical fish such as horse mackerel and ilabucha, which are not found in the waters of the mainland, as well as high-end fish such as yellowtail snapper and white crucian wrasse!
The fishing is so easy that you can spend more time catching fish than waiting for them to come in.
Even beginners can enjoy fishing with peace of mind, as they will be given a detailed lecture on everything from assembling the rod to removing the fish.
You can also have the fish you catch cooked by our partners.
Eating fish you caught yourself is very enjoyable and gives you a sense of accomplishment, and may even taste better than your usual meal.
Sunrise Canoeing
The next activity we will introduce is sunrise canoeing.
As mentioned above, the cooler the temperature, the clearer the air, and the cooler the water temperature, the clearer the water.
The coolest time of day for both temperature and water temperature is from midnight to early morning.
Therefore, the mornings on Miyakojima are clear and crisp, and the sea is crystal clear.
Sunrise Canoeing is the best way to enjoy canoe cruising in such a perfect environment.
The sunrise is very beautiful as it rises from the horizon.
There is no doubt that the best way to wake up early in the morning is to move your body in a beautiful environment and bask in the morning sun with your whole body!
The canoes used for the tours are extremely stable and can accommodate two people, so they are recommended for people with small children and couples!
In Sunrise Canoeing, participants go out to sea in the dark hours before sunrise to receive a lecture on cruising, and then enjoy cruising freely until sunrise.
In the meantime, the sun is gradually rising.
When you see the sunrise, put down your oars and soak up the Miyakojima sunrise with all your might!
It is sure to give you a great start to your day on your trip to Miyako Island!
glass boat
For children and the elderly who cannot participate in other activities, or for those who do not want to go into the sea but would like to see the ocean, the glass boat is recommended!
A glass boat is a special boat with a transparent glass bottom in the center of the boat.
Because of this structure, the undersea can be seen from the bottom of the vessel.
Because the waters of Miyakojima boast outstanding transparency, you can see deep underwater from the bottom of the boat without having to enter the water.
This is an activity that can be enjoyed only on Miyako Island, which is surrounded by crystal clear waters, where you can observe fish swimming in the sea, undersea topography, and coral formations.
Observation is conducted aboard a boat, so those with small children are also welcome.
Depending on sea conditions, Miyakojima glass boat tours can take you to the Blue Cave and Yabiji, the largest group of tabletop coral reefs in Japan.
You will often see colorful corals and tropical fish in abundance.
If you are lucky, you may even see sea turtles, so look for them!
Sunset Cruising
Miyakojima Island has beautiful sunrises as well as sunsets because of its clean air.
There are a number of activities on Miyako Island where you can enjoy the sunset, but cruising is one of the best.
Although cruising may give the impression that only celebrities are allowed on board, it is becoming a standard activity on Miyako Island these days and is more reasonably priced than ever before.
The cruise ship "Mont Blanc" is used for cruising on Miyako Island.
The exterior of the ship is simple, but the interior is lavishly decorated here and there, and just touring the ship is fun and uplifting.
The Sky Lounge on the third floor offers a panoramic view of the surrounding ocean, and the Aqua Lounge on the basement floor allows visitors to observe the underwater world of Miyakojima.
The Aqua Lounge has glass sides, allowing visitors to take their time and observe what is going on in the ocean.
You will feel like you are in a natural aquarium.
There is also a course of meals and drinks, so you can enjoy the beautiful sunset of Miyako Island with a drink in hand.
This cruise is sure to be a memorable experience of a lifetime on anniversaries and other important occasions!
Night Tour
The last activity we will introduce is a night tour!
Nighttime on Miyako Island is a complete change from the bustling atmosphere of the daytime, when the island is enveloped in silence.
The night tour takes visitors into the jungle at night to observe the nocturnal creatures that inhabit Miyako Island.
With unusual creatures such as coconut crabs and Yaeyama flying foxes, which cannot be seen on the mainland, this is sure to be an exciting expedition filled with curiosity.
Also, on a clear night, you can see the star-filled sky from the jungle.
Since there are almost no outdoor lights on Miyako Island, the stars can be clearly seen visually and distinctly across the sky.
Depending on the season, not only the Milky Way and the Summer Triangle, but also the Southern Cross, which is said to be visible only in the Southern Hemisphere, can be observed!
End your day of travel with a view of the starry sky of Miyako Island, a place of world-class beauty.
summary
We have introduced the winter in Miyako Island. How was it?
Miyako Island has a mild climate throughout the year.
Therefore, there are many marine activities that can be enjoyed even in winter, such as sunrise canoeing, glass boarding, and night tours.
The winter season may also be a better season to travel, as travel costs are lower and there are fewer tourists.
It is warmer than the mainland, making it an ideal place to escape the cold!
Each season has its own merits, but why not visit Miyako Island once in winter?
Thank you for reading to the end.
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