Whatever we were expecting in Japan, it wasn’t this! An island of fewer than 60,000 residents, Miyako- Jima is considered one of the most picturesque destinations in Japan. It’s about 190 miles southwest of Okinawa and home to some of the most beautiful water we’ve seen thus far – right up there with Rangiroa.
Our tour guide was a 74-year-old retired middle school teacher who was very familiar with the area and had a terrific sense of humor. She explained that the reason the sea water is so clear and blue here is because there are no rivers on the island, no waterways delivering silt or any type of foreign materials into the sea waters. Whatever the explanation, the water is breath-takingly beautiful.
We drove through town where we passed two small rocks, similar to headstones, the tallest of which was a little less than 4’ tall. These stones have been in place for hundreds of years. In 1603 Miyako-Jima found itself beholden to both China and Japan. Japan owned the island, but China was providing protection from foreign invaders. Both demanded heavy financial support from Miyako-Jima. To meet the obligations the government placed a heavy tax on its citizens. Anyone as tall or taller than the stones was required to give 80% of the fruits of their labor to the government. Farmers had to give 80% of their crops; women were generally employed in textiles and had to give 80% of anything they made to government. This tax continued until 1903, 300 years(!), until a group of citizens rose up in protest.
Our travels took us across the Irabu Ohashi Bridge which connects Miyako-Jima to Irabu Island. At a little over two miles it is Japan’s longest toll-free bridge. It is considered the “Bridge of Dreams” because it was 40 years in the planning and took nine years and nearly $360 million to build.
Once across the bridge we visited the Makiyama Observatory, where we climbed 75 steps for a terrific view across the sea to Miyako-Jima. Afterwards we traveled back across the bridge for the highlight of the day, a semi-submarine ride. The boat took us within inches of the coral below, where we saw formations of every shape and size, and a variety of fish. Pam even saw a small shark, but we weren’t quick enough to capture it on camera.
We drove along the Higashi-hennazaki Cape, designated a Place of Natural Beauty. The low, rocky cape has spectacular views and a gorgeous park area with a light house and walking trails. There is an amazing variety of plants, from lilies to sticker bushes to pineapple trees, and incredible rock formations and boulders. It’s not clear if the boulders have always been there or if they were brought ashore by one of the many typhoons experienced in the area, but they were a beautiful touch and enjoying the path was a perfect way to get in some steps in.
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