Congratulations: In the event you’ve even began ponder the Ishigaki vs Miyakojima debate, you’ve gotten farther than most potential vacationers to Okinawa. In lots of instances, even making it the principle island is a heavy elevate.
After all, as great as a visit to mentioned predominant island is, it’s only you begin to discover Okinawa off the overwhelmed…ferry route that you simply get a real sense of how particular the archipelago is. And I’m not simply speaking about how significantly better Okinawan seashores are than you’re most likely anticipating!
Alternatively, I shall be up-front that whether or not you go to Miyako island or Ishigaki, it is advisable to be far more conscious than you’d be if you happen to had been merely taking day journeys from Naha Metropolis. However we’ll get to these particulars later!
Why Okinawa is So Thrilling for Seashore Lovers
Whether or not you go to Ishigaki or Miyakojima, you’re in for a deal with: Okinawa is house to the greatest seashores not solely in Japan, however in Asia, and a few of the greatest ones in your complete world. This is because of quite a few components, together with how shallow and calm the water tends to be, in addition to the truth that the white sand is essentially manufactured from coral, which implies that even when it will get stirred up, it doesn’t trigger the water to be cloudy.
Now, it’s not all nice information. Probably the most stunning seashore in Okinawa (Ishigaki’s Kabira Bay) is definitely utterly off-limits to swimmers so as to defend its delicate ecosystem; the one option to take pleasure in it’s to admire it from the shore, or to take a glass-bottom boat tour. Likewise, though each Miyako island and Okinawa may be heat all year long, lifeguard-protect swimming it typically solely obtainable from about April till October.
Ishigaki
Methods to Examine Ishigaki with Miyakojima
Seashores
The excellent news? In the event you go to Ishigaki, you’re assured to see the seashore that’s typically named Japan’s greatest, i.e. Kabira Bay. The dangerous information? Not like many different wonderful seashores on the island, it isn’t open for swimming, ostensibly to guard its coral reef ecosystem. Miyakojima, in my view, has extra wonderful seashores which can be simple to go to, together with Yonaha Seashore and Sunayama Seashore.
Getting there and round
Each Ishigaki and Miyakojima have nonstop flights not solely from Okinawa’s predominant island, but in addition from main airports in Tokyo (HND) and Osaka (KIX). When it comes to getting round, you realistically must lease a automotive on each islands, although this in additional helpful on Miyakojima; it’s linked through bridges (that are themselves an attraction) to all its peripheral islands. To get off Ishigaki, in the meantime, you need to take a passenger-only ferry.
Delicacies
Each of those islands have wonderful meals, although I wouldn’t characterize both as a culinary scorching spot. If I did, it will most likely be Ishigaki, which is ostensibly a hub of Yaeyama delicacies, with Yaeyama-style soba being the most well-liked instance. Probably the most pleasant meal I had on Miyako island, in the meantime, was at a Hawaiian-inspired shrimp truck; each islands are house to pan-Okinawan delights, together with iconic Blue Seal Ice Cream.
Inns and resorts
Whether or not you keep on Miyakojima or Ishigaki, you could find all method of locations to remain. These vary from seashore resorts like Blue Ocean Lodge & Resort Miyakojima or the ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort, to easy metropolis resorts comparable to Lodge Pink Hibiscus Miyako and Lodge Patina Ishigakijima. Do observe that to echo a piece above, one of the best ways to take pleasure in flexibility by way of the place to remain is to verify to lease a automotive. In any other case, you’ll be on the mercy of comfort to very restricted bus routes.
Day journeys and excursions
The preferred day journey from Ishigaki is the primitive island of Taketomi, which is a brief ferry trip (however a complete world) away. There are only a few automobiles on the island; the most well-liked manner for vacationers to get round (other than alking, and restricted shuttle bus service) is to trip in a buffalo-drawn carriage. From Miyakojima, in the meantime, vacationers normally take “day journeys” over bridges to smaller islands like Irabu and Ikema.
Miyakojima
Different Locations in Okinawa (and Past)
Okinawa is the most effective single Japanese prefecture for seashores, but it surely’s not the one place you could find islands that appear like they couldn’t presumably be a part of Japan. Kagoshima prefecture specifically is a robust second-place contender. Viral Yoron island is so stunning that individuals typically confuse it for Okinawa; the Amami islands (and, specifically, Amami Oshima) islands aren’t as postcard-perfect, however as nonetheless compelling.
Past the Miyakojima vs Ishigaki debate, the Japanese mainland has some wonderful seashores as nicely. I’m considering before everything about Shirahama Seashore in Shimoda (which might be the greatest seashore close to Tokyo) and likewise about Shirarahama Seashore in Wayayama, which has a unique identify from the one in Shimoda (see the additional “Ra”?), despite seeming nearly the identical. That is to say nothing of all Japan’s different outlying islands.
Different FAQ About Miyakojima and Ishigaki
Which is healthier, Ishigaki or Miyakojima?
Ishigaki is smaller than Miyako (nicely, the principle island at the very least—this doesn’t embody close by Taketomi) and because of this, is simpler to navigate rapidly; it’s additionally house to Kabira Bay, which many individuals rank as the most effective seashore in Japan. Miyakojima, in contrast, is virally well-known for its beautiful, vibrant “Miyako Blue” waters, and for the bridges that join its many islands.
Does Ishigaki or Miyakojima have higher seashores?
Each Ishigaki and Miyako islands have wonderful seashores—regardless of which one you select, you’re in for some really postcard-perfect swims. Nevertheless, whereas Ishigaki’s well-known Kabira Bay is off-limits to swimmers because of the delicate ecosystem it helps, you’ll be able to swim most anyplace on any of Miyako’s islands.
How do I get from Ishigaki to Miyakojima?
Prior to now, there have been ferries that would take you between Ishigaki and Miyako islands in about 6-7 hours. Nowadays, nevertheless, a 30-45 minute direct flight is the one life like manner. Absent this (in different phrases, if costs or excessive or you’ll be able to’t get a seat), you’ll be able to join through Okinawa’s predominant island.
The Backside Line
When evaluating Ishigaki vs Miyakojima, relaxation assured: There isn’t any “incorrect” reply. Okinawa is paradise regardless of the place within the archipelago you enterprise—it’s only a matter of diploma and path, like totally different colours of hibiscus or palm frond shapes. The problem is within the particulars. Whereas each of those islands actually require a rental automotive to take pleasure in to the fullest extent, I’d argue that Ishigaki requires a bit extra forethought, since many excursions you’ll be able to take from there (specifically, Taketomi) require a subsequent ferry trip; on Miyako island, you’ll be able to drive in every single place on account of its iconic bridge. Want customized assist planning your island journey? Fee a customized Japan itinerary right this moment!