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Winter Tourism in Miyako Island | 7 Recommended Spots and a 2-Night, 3-Day Sample Itinerary
Hello everyone!
One of the largest activity stores in Miyako Island
Miyako Island ADVENTURE PiPiIt is!
Even in January and February, daytime temperatures on Miyako Island in winter rise to around 20°C, making it much warmer than winter on Honshu.
In this article,冬の宮古島の楽しみ方と、冬でも楽しめる観光スポット7選・2泊3日のモデルコースを、雨や風が強い日の過ごし方とあわせて紹介します。
If you're thinking about where to travel this winter, please use this as a reference.
Table of Contents
How to Enjoy Miyako Island in Winter | 4 Charms That Set It Apart from Summer
Miyako Island in winter is,A quiet island where you can take your time enjoying the scenery, the ocean, and the starry skyThat's what makes it so appealing.
While it’s not quite the same as a summer trip where you spend your time swimming around, there are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself that are unique to winter.
① There are fewer tourists than in the summer, so you can enjoy popular attractions and tours at a more leisurely pace.
② The sun isn't as strong as it is in summer, so you're less likely to get tired while driving or taking a walk
③ On days when the weather and sea conditions are good, you can experience the crystal-clear “Miyako Blue” waters—even in winter.
④ On clear nights, the air is crisp, making it easier to see the stars clearly.
On the other hand, in winter, the north winds are strong and there are many cloudy days, so,Make sure you can adjust your plans depending on the weatherThat's reassuring.
観光前に知りたい冬の宮古島の気温・服装と海
In winter, the average temperature on Miyako Island from December through February is around 18–20°C, and even in January and February—when it’s coldest—the low temperatures remain in the 16°C range (Miyako Island Regional Meteorological Observatory）。
ただし北風が強く、海沿いや橋の上では気温より寒く感じるので、観光には長袖に薄手の上着を1枚足す服装がおすすめです。
海はウェットスーツを着ればシュノーケリングなどを楽しめますが、水着だけで泳ぐには冷たい時期なので、月別の気温や服装とあわせて次の記事で確認してください。
7 Recommended Tourist Spots on Miyako Island in Winter
Here, we’ll introduce seven tourist attractions on Miyako Island that you can enjoy even in winter.
On days when the north wind is strong,Spots on the south-facing coast or indoors that are sheltered from the windIf you choose this, you'll have a comfortable stay.
(1) Irabu Bridge
The Irabu Bridge is a 3,540-meter-long bridge connecting Miyako Island and Irabu Island, andThe longest bridge in Japan that can be crossed for freeIt is.
It takes about five minutes to cross by car, and from the bridge, the “Miyako Blue” sea stretches out to the left and right.
Strong winds blow across the bridge in winter, so when you get out of your car to take photos, use the parking areas located just before the bridge or just past it.
(2) Higashi Heiananazaki
Higashi-Henna-zaki is a cape that stretches narrowly for about 2 km along the eastern tip of Miyako Island and has been designated as a National Scenic Spot.
At the tip of the cape stands the Hennami Cape Lighthouse, offering views of the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea on either side.
With nothing to block the viewA place where the wind is particularly strong in winterSo, be careful not to let your hat blow away, and be sure to bring a jacket.
| address (e.g. of house) | Shirobe-Hora, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| parking lot | Yes (free of charge) |
| Access | Approximately 25 minutes by car from Miyako Airport |
③ Ryugu Castle Observation Deck
The Ryugu-jo Observation Deck is located on Kurima Island, which is accessible from Miyako Island via the Kurima Bridge.
From the top of this building, designed to resemble the Dragon Palace, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Kurima Bridge and Yonaha Maehama Beach.
Admission is free, and since it's close to Miyako Airport, it's the perfect place to stop by on the first or last day of your trip.
| address (e.g. of house) | Shimoji Raima, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan |
| parking lot | Available (free, limited number of spaces) |
| Charge | free |
4) Im Gya Marine Garden
Imgya Marine Garden is a seaside park located in a cove on the southern coast of Miyako Island.
Because the cove acts as a natural breakwater,It is less affected by winter north winds, and there are many days with calm waves.is a feature of this product.
There are also observation decks and walking trails, so you can leisurely enjoy the views of the cove even without going into the water.
| address (e.g. of house) | 605-2 Shirobe Tomori, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan |
| parking lot | ant |
| Notes | Toilet available |
5) Snow Salt Museum
The Snow Salt Museum is a facility located in the northern part of Miyako Island, adjacent to the saltworks where the powdered salt known as “Snow Salt” is produced.
Admission is free, andIn addition to observing the process of making snow salt, you can also sample sweets and soft-serve ice cream made with snow salt.The following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
Since you can tour the facility indoors, it’s a great place to visit on windy or rainy days.
| address (e.g. of house) | 191 Hirara Karimata, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan |
| Business Hours | 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (April–August) / 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (September–March) |
| Charge | Free admission |
| phone | 0980-72-5667 |
⑥ Miyako Island Kaibokan
The Miyako Island Kaiho-kan is a museum located near Higashi-Hena-zaki that displays seashells collected from around the world.
There are also hands-on activities, such as making accessories out of seashells, and a souvenir shop,Fun even on rainy days or when you're traveling with kidsSpot.
We recommend stopping by here as part of a day trip exploring the southeastern part of Miyako Island, along with Higashi-Hezanazaki.
| address (e.g. of house) | 591-1 Shirobe-Hora, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| phone | 0980-77-2323 |
⑦ Shigira Golden Hot Springs
Shigira Golden Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located at Shigira Resort in the southern part of Miyako Island.
As the name suggests, it is known for its golden-colored, high-salinity water, and features open-air baths as well as a pool filled with hot spring water.
This is the perfect place to stop by in winter, when you want to warm up after getting chilled from playing in the ocean.Before heading out to a specific spot, be sure to check the official website for prices and hours of operation.
| address (e.g. of house) | 1405-223 Ueno-Shinri, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan |
| phone | 0980-74-7340 |
| Official HP | Shigira Golden Hot Springs Official Website |
How to Spend Your Time on Days with Heavy Rain or Strong Winds
In winter on Miyako Island, there are days with cloudy skies or light rain, as well as days when the sea gets rough due to north winds, soPlan one indoor activityThat's reassuring.
In addition to the Snow Salt Museum and the Miyako Island Marine Treasure Museum, we also recommend participating in hands-on craft activities to create lasting mementos of your trip.
PiPi's "Miyako Animal Candle-Making Workshop" takes place indoors, so you can make a reservation without worrying about the weather.
How to Spend Winter on Miyako Island | A 2-Night, 3-Day Sample Itinerary
If you're visiting Miyako Island for the first time in winter,Combine sightseeing at various spots with a 2-night, 3-day tour that’s available even in winterI recommend this way of spending your time.
Since the attractions are scattered all over the island, a rental car is the most convenient way to get around.
| schedule | time zone | how to spend one's time |
| Day 1 | Afternoon | We arrived at Miyako Airport and drove to the Snow Salt Museum in the northern part of the island. |
| Day 1 | Evening to Night | Sunset SUP & Canoe & Stargazing Jungle Night Tour |
| 2nd day | Morning | Sea Turtle Snorkeling (Wetsuits provided during the winter) |
| 2nd day | Afternoon | A Tour of Imgya Marine Garden, Miyakojima Kaibokan, and Higashi-Henza-zaki |
| 2nd day | evening | Warm Up at Shigira Golden Hot Springs |
| Day 3 | Morning | A Drive Across the Irabu Bridge |
| Day 3 | 昼 | Stop by the Ryugu Castle Observation Deck on Kurima Island on the way to Miyako Airport |
Since ocean tours may be canceled due to wind or waves,Schedule the tour for the first half of the tripThat way, if an event is canceled, it will be easier to reschedule it for another day.
On rainy days, swap out your drive for indoor activities and attractions.
観光と組み合わせたい冬のツアー
冬の宮古島観光は、スポットめぐりの合間に半日ほどのツアーを1つ入れると、旅の思い出がぐっと増えます。
ここでは、朝・午前・夕方の時間帯別に、観光の予定と組み合わせやすい3つのツアーを紹介します。
観光の前に朝日を見るなら「サンライズSUP」
海の上から日の出を眺めるサンライズSUPは、朝のうちに終わるので、そのあと1日たっぷり観光に使えるTour.
冬季の集合は6:25〜7:45ごろ（時期によって変わります）と夏より遅めなので、早起きが苦手な方でも参加しやすいです。
For a morning at the beach, try “Sea Turtle Snorkeling”
For those who want to enjoy the ocean off Miyako Island even in winter, we recommend the half-day sea turtle snorkeling tour.
During the winter, wetsuits are provided, andIt's easy to plan your day—spend the morning at the beach and the afternoon sightseeing.Tour.
From evening through the night: “Sunset SUP & Canoe & Starry Sky Jungle Night Tour”
日中に観光スポットをめぐった日の締めくくりには、サンセットSUP・カヌーとナイトツアーのセットがおすすめです。
After spending the afternoon out on the ocean until sunset, we went into the forest at night to look for wildlife, andIf the sky is clear, you'll see a sky full of starsYou can also enjoy
冬に参加できるほかのツアーは、冬のアクティビティの記事でまとめて紹介しています。
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to take your time exploring Irabu Island and Kurima Island, a 3-night, 4-day trip will give you plenty of time.
Just in case it rains, it’s a good idea to plan some indoor activities, such as a visit to the Snow Salt Museum or a hands-on craft workshop.
Since the age requirements and activities for ocean tours vary by tour, be sure to check them before making a reservation.
The number of available vehicles tends to be lower during the year-end and New Year's holidays and long weekends, so be sure to make your reservation as soon as possible once your schedule is set.
in the end
In winter, Miyako Island is warmer than Honshu and less crowded, making it the perfect season to leisurely enjoy the scenery, drives, and ocean tours.
By adapting to the north winds and rain—combining visits to the southern coast and indoor attractions with tours that include wetsuits—you can fully enjoy Miyako Island even in winter.
We hope you’ll enjoy a relaxing trip to Miyako Island this winter.
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