List of places to go, things to do and places to visit in Ikema Island!

What is Ikema Island?

Ikema Island is a small horseshoe-shaped island in the Pacific Ocean about 1.5 km northwest of Miyako Island. Belonging to the Miyako Islands, it is about 28 m above sea level, 2.83 km2 in area, and 10.1 km in circumference, about the same size as Ikema Island. It is the 31st largest island in Okinawa and the 6th largest in the Miyako Islands.

The current population of Ikema Island is a little over 600, but the number of children, including elementary and junior high school students, is less than 30, and the aging and depopulation of the island is progressing. Ikema Island is connected to Miyako Island by the 1425-meter-long Ikema Ohashi Bridge, which opened in February 1992.

 

Access to Ikema Island

To get to Ikema Island, first fly to Miyako Airport on Miyako Island or Shimoji Airport on Shimoji Island, then go overland from Miyako Island to Ikema Island via the Ikema Ohashi Bridge.

How to travel by land,
1. Rental cars and other motor vehicles
2. Route bus
3. bicycle
The three options are

 

Access to Ikema Island 1. Car rental

A common method of travel on Miyako Island is by rental car. It takes about 30 minutes from the airport area to Ikema Island by car.

It takes only about one hour for a nonstop trip around Miyako Island, and it is easy to reach other islands connected by bridges, and it takes only 15 to 30 minutes to walk around the islands. It is the easiest and most convenient way to get around the islands.

↓ Learn more about car rentals ↓

↓ Click here to read the article in conjunction with ↓ ↓

 

Access to Ikema Island 2.

You can also take a local bus to Ikema Island! Unfortunately, there is no direct bus service from Miyako Airport or Shimojishima Airport to Ikema Island, but now that Jetstar has started service to Shimojishima, there are more ways and options to get to Ikema Island by bus.

There are two types of buses on Miyako Island: the Yachiyo Bus, which runs only to the northern part of Miyako Island and Ikema Island, and the Miyako Kyoei Bus, which runs routes to other islands on Miyako Island and to outlying islands connected to Miyako Island by bridges. First, take the Miyako Kyoei Bus to the center of Miyako Island, then take the Yachiyo Bus to Ikema in the northern part of the island!

 

Access to Ikema Island 3. Bicycle

If it is not raining, bicycles are also recommended. From Miyako Airport, you can reach Ikema Island in about 1.5 to 2 hours. There are a few bike rental stores in Hirara town. Some hotels will kindly offer you to use their bicycles if they are available.

There are few parking lots on the beaches of Ikema Island, but you can park your bicycle as you like and go see the ocean. Please be careful not to get sunburned, and try to find scenery that you cannot see when traveling at the speed of a car.

 

Popular Spots on Ikema Island

The island is dotted with stylish cafes and accommodations in the style of Mykonos Island in Greece, as well as old-fashioned guest houses and restaurants that match the shining sun. Outside the ino of Ikema Island are deep waters and sharks, so there are places in the village where shark head bones are displayed and restaurants where you can enjoy shark dishes!

There is a fishing port on the left side of the Ikema Ohashi Bridge, from where you can also take a sightseeing boat. Here are some of the recommended sightseeing spots on Ikema Island, which is full of such attractions!

 

Ikema Bridge

The Ikema Ohashi Bridge is the most famous sightseeing spot on Ikema Island! There are many roads to access the bridge, but the collaboration of the Miyako blue sea, the Ikema Ohashi Bridge, and the sky seen from the road that curves sharply to the right from Karimata on the tip of Miyako Island just before Ikema Island to the Ikema Ohashi Bridge will definitely take your breath away!

The view from the bridge is of course beautiful, but it is just as beautiful, if not more so, than the view from the road leading up to the bridge, We hope you will enjoy the view from the bridge.

When crossing on foot, from Miyako Island, there is a raised curb on the left side of the road, so you can cross safely and securely. You can also see the windmills spinning in Nishiheinanazaki, which is quite an enjoyable sight.

Cross the bridge and enter the island, and you will find a large parking space on the right side of the island.

For more information about Ikema Ohashi Bridge, click here↓.

 

Heart Rock & Ikidu Beach

This beach is home to Heart Rock, which became famous as the filming location for the NHK television series "Jun to Ai. It is called Heart Rock because the hole in the rock is in the shape of a heart. (Tilt your head back a little to see it.)

It is also called Ikidu Beach. It faces west, so it is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset. Heart Rock can only be seen at low tide, so it is best to check the tide table for the time of low tide before visiting. You will think you have improved your photography skills because it is so beautiful no matter where you take pictures.

Click here for more information on Igitu Beach ↓ Click here for more information on Igitu Beach

 

Ikema Block (Funax)

The parking lot is large and can hold nearly 15 cars, so you don't have to worry about parking with an unfamiliar car. It is called "Ikema Block" because the beach is accessed by climbing up a pile of blocks.

From the parking lot to the beach, there is a large difference in level, and those with children may feel at a loss for a moment, but it is all right. There is a ramp on the right side that can be used to access the beach, so please be calm and go down to the beach.

The beach is a cove-shaped beach with a good number of coral reefs and fish, making it ideal for snorkeling. On the right side of the beach, facing the ocean, is a tourist attraction, the whale-shaped Whale Rock. If the water is too low, you can see the base of the rock, but if the water is just right, the rock looks like it is floating.

For more information on the Ikema block, click here↓.

 

Old Ikidu Beach

This is an almost deserted, private beach.

This beach is located just north of Ikema Island, near the lighthouse. There is no parking lot, so please look for the beach by using "just north of..." as a guide. It is a rare private beach in Miyakojima, where you hardly meet other people, and it seems to be a good place for couples to spend a quiet time. The scenery and the smallness of the beach make it a great place to spend a quiet time as a couple.

 

Ikema rope (Kaganmi)

This is another famous beach on Ikema Island, but the approach to the beach is not as easy as it sounds. You will have to walk down a cliff along a rope! It may look intimidating for a moment, but once you see the beautiful ocean below, there is no way you can stop! Don't worry, once you are down, the ascent will feel easier than the descent. There is only one rope on the narrow path on the cliff, so you should share the use of the rope.

There are more fish and corals there, and it is fun to find fish hiding under the large table corals. For some reason, there are a lot of humorous-looking purple wrasses, which can be quite comforting for a moment, but they are very territorial and will chase you away or attack you if you stay in their territory, so it is better to swim away quickly and avoid eye contact if possible (laugh).

It is somewhat dangerous for children, so we recommend the Ikema block next door. There are parking spaces for 3-5 cars on the opposite side of the street from the entrance.

Click here for more information about Ikema Rope ↓ Click here for more information about Ikema Rope

 

Yabiji (Yaebiji)

Located 5-22 km north of Ikema Island, Yabiji stretches approximately 17 km from north to south and 6.5 km from east to west, and is home to more than 100 coral reefs of various sizes and is designated as a national natural monument. According to a man on the sightseeing boat, it is a "real dragon's palace! Can you imagine how amazing it is?

Yaebigase is the closest island to Ikema Island, so there are a number of snorkeling and diving tours available. The vivid, colorful corals of various species are a sight to behold, and with sea turtles and other tropical fish swimming in the corals, it is truly a dragon's palace.

Yabiji can only be reached by sightseeing boats or tours. Seeing is believing, so why not join us?

For more information on Yaebise, click here↓.

 

Ruins of Ikema Island Observation Deck

The site of Ikema Island Observatory is located on a small hill at the southern tip of Ikema Island, where the observatory used to be. From here, you can see Ogami Island to the east and the town of Taira to the south.

The remains of Ikema Island Observatory were built in the shape of a column using bedrock. The Ikema Island watchtower was manned by commoners who were in charge of the watchtower on a rotating basis, and was used to watch over ships traveling to and from Okinawa Island and the surrounding islands, and to detect and monitor enemy and foreign vessels.

At that time, there was no means of communication to distant places, so when a ship's shadow was spotted on the sea from Ikema Island's viewing platform, a wolfsbane was raised to signal the ship's presence.

 

deity enshrined at Hie Shrine (in Shiga

The Daishu Shrine is located across the Irabu Bridge, turn right, pass Sarahama Port, turn right at the public restroom, and turn left in front of the gas station. Originally, the shrine was called Ohshu Utaki, which means "Great Lord Utaki" in Japanese.

Usually there are few people and the atmosphere is quiet and serene, but during Hatsumode (New Year's visit), many locals visit the temple and many money offerings are dropped in the precincts. There is also a beach nearby, so it is a good place to visit while engaging in activities or swimming in the sea.

 

Ikema Island Lighthouse

Ikema Island Lighthouse stands at the northernmost tip of Ikema Island. Although Ikema Island is basically flat with few ups and downs, the 23-meter-high Ikema Island Lighthouse has a strong presence on this flat island. In addition to its role as a lighthouse, it also provides weather conditions.

It is a good place to take a break and stop by for a rest as it is just a turnaround point when circling around Ikema Island. After passing the Ikema Island Lighthouse, you will find beaches such as Ikidu Beach and Funakusu Beach, where you can enjoy swimming after visiting the lighthouse!

 

whale rock

Whale Rock is a whale-shaped rock located at the end of Funakusu Beach on Ikema Island. There are many oddly shaped rocks on the beaches of the Miyako Archipelago, but this is the only one that is shaped like a whale, making it a popular photo spot. At high tide, it looks like a whale immersed in the sea, making it a very photogenic spot.

Funakusu Beach is also an inlet-like area with no strong currents or high waves, and is home to a large number of coral and tropical fish, making snorkeling an enjoyable activity.

 

Alassis Hida Beach

Arassis Hida Beach is a secluded natural beach located behind Island Terrace Neela in the southwestern part of Ikema Island. The beach is characterized by coral colonies and abundant tropical fish, and snorkeling is available for underwater exploration. Its location on the west coast also offers beautiful sunset views.

 

Recommended Activities around Ikema Island

Yaehigase Tour

The recommended activities around Ikema Island are snorkeling and other activities around the Yaebise! Swim with beautiful coral reefs and colorful tropical fish in the overwhelmingly clear ocean!

For more information about tours in Yaebise and a list of plans, click here↓.

 

Fishing Tour

Fishing tours departing from Ikema Fishing Port and taking in the beautiful surrounding sea are also recommended♪ The guide will provide full support from assembling the rod to putting on the bait and removing the fish. The fish around Miyako Island are less cautious than usual, and you will have such a great fishing experience that you will spend less time waiting to catch a fish!

For more information on fishing tours and a list of plans, click here↓.

 

Let's heal your tired body in Miyako Island!
Massage that can only be experienced on Miyako Island.

For those who are a little tired because they have been over-ambitious on a trip or have been exposed to a lot of UV rays, we can help you with various problems and anxieties.

Miyakojima Island Massage and Relaxation Special page is now open. Please check it out!

 

summary

How was it? Now is the time to head for Ikema Island, when people are rushing to the Irabu Bridge.

Since you have left the hustle and bustle of the city behind... we hope that you will spend your time at your own pace, relaxing in the beautiful ocean or looking at the Dragon's Palace, and blow away your fatigue.

All the fun of Miyako Island is here↓.
Miyako Island Tours