Okinawa · Day Tour

Miyako Island Private Car Tour with Local Guide

5.0 · 1 reviews
12 photos

Seven kilometres of white sand, and water you can see the bottom of from the bridge.

Area
Miyakojima
Duration
6 hours
Language
English
Booking
Instant confirmation

From

¥40,000 per person

approx. US$253

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before

Instant confirmation

Overview

A private Miyako Island tour with a car and a local guide. Yonaha Maehama beach, the cape and lighthouse at Higashi-hennazaki, the traditional crafts centre, Painagama beach and the Ryugujo lookout. Miyakojima has some of the clearest water in Japan and very little else on it.

Highlights

  • Yonaha Maehama, seven kilometres of white sand
  • Higashi-hennazaki, a cape with a promenade running out to sea
  • Miyako textiles, with a short weaving session if you want one
  • Painagama Beach Park, where locals watch the sunset
  • A private car for the day, from the port

Experience

The water

Miyakojima has no rivers, so nothing washes silt into the sea. That single fact is why the water around the island is as clear as it is and why the coral does as well as it does. Yonaha Maehama runs for around seven kilometres of white sand on the south-west coast and is regularly called the best beach in Japan.

The cape

Higashi-hennazaki is a narrow limestone headland at the eastern tip, with a lighthouse at the end and a promenade running out along it. The Pacific is on one side and the East China Sea on the other, and in spring the whole cape is covered in wildflowers.

Miyako jofu

The island has woven a fine ramie cloth for centuries, historically as a tax paid to the Ryukyu court and then to Satsuma. A single bolt could take a weaver the better part of a year. The crafts centre explains the process and lets you try the loom for a few minutes, which is enough to understand why it took so long.

Ending at the water

Painagama is a small beach near the port where islanders go after work rather than a resort beach. Ryugujo is a lookout above a reef-scattered stretch of coast where the depth changes colour in bands. Both are best late in the day, and your guide will time it that way.

Itinerary

  1. Hirara Port

    Meet your guide at the terminal building.

  2. Yonaha Maehama

    Seven kilometres of white sand.

  3. Higashi-hennazaki

    The cape, the lighthouse and the promenade.

  4. Traditional Crafts Center

    Miyako textiles, and a short weaving session.

  5. Painagama Beach Park

    The local beach by the port.

  6. Ryugujo Observatory

    The reef coast from above, if time allows.

Meeting point

Hirara Port terminal building, Miyakojima, Okinawa. Your guide will contact you on WhatsApp beforehand.

Includes

  • English-speaking guide
  • Private tour
  • Private transportation on the island
  • Entrance fees
  • Transport to and from the island
  • Guide's expenses during the tour

Gallery

Important Information

  • There is effectively no public transport on the island, which is why the car is included.
  • Sun and wind on the coast are strong year-round. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
  • Bring swimwear if you want to go in. Tell your guide and time will be built in.
  • Entrance fees and meals are paid as you go. Bring cash.
  • Your guide will contact you through WhatsApp before the tour, so please install it in advance.
  • We can accommodate most dietary preferences with advance notice. If you have strict requirements such as vegan, halal or severe allergies, tell us when you book and your guide will plan the day around them.

Reviews

5.0 / 5
Based on 1 reviews

FAQ

What is included in the price?

Your English-speaking guide and the private vehicle on the island. Entrance fees, meals and travel to the island are separate.

Does this work as a cruise excursion?

Yes. It starts at Hirara Port and is timed around your ship.

Can we swim?

Yes. Bring swimwear and say so, and your guide will build in time at one of the beaches.

Can we cross the Irabu Bridge?

Yes. It is one of the longest toll-free bridges in Japan and the view from it is the reason to go. Ask when you book.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Bookings are confirmed instantly.

¥40,000 From / person
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