What is Silver Week in Miyako Island? Sightseeing spots and recommended activities!
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Hello everyone! I am sure that many of you are making travel plans for the Silver Week. Especially for college students, many of them will be on summer vacation until this time. So how about Miyako Island? Among the summer season, September is the most reasonable month to go there, so it will be quite economical.
It will be cheaper than in July or August, and if you are planning a trip, why not plan it a little later in the year? The week of Silver Week, when prices begin to drop, is a particularly good target. This article introduces Silver Week in Miyakojima.
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Features and Reasons to Visit Miyako Island during Silver Week
Miyako Island is located almost halfway across Okinawa Prefecture, which stretches 1,000 km from east to west. It is about 300 km away from Naha and 130 km from Ishigaki Island.
Therefore, it is warmer than the main island of Okinawa, and the summer weather is still in the air. This is also the time of year when the sea can still be enjoyed to the fullest. Beaches are open until the end of October, so you can enjoy swimming in the sea. However, since jellyfish are on the rise this time of year, it is best to check which beaches have protective nets in place before going.
In addition to swimming, beachcombing, fishing, cruising, and other activities are also popular. There are also mountains and forests on Miyako Island, so even those who prefer the mountains to the sea will find many places to enjoy themselves.
5 Recommended Silver Week Activities in Miyako Island
Silver Week Activities in Miyako Island
(1) Fishing
There are a number of fishing spots scattered around Miyako Island, and you can choose a spot depending on your other plans and where you will be staying. Some cruising tours include a fishing course, so you can enjoy both scenery and fishing.
Other tours exist where the captain of the fishing boat takes you to multiple recommended points to fish for colorful subtropical fish. During the Silver Week, it can get chilly at sea, so be sure to bring a windbreaker and towel in advance to enjoy the activities.
(2) Starry sky & illumination photo tour
This tour will be a must-see on SNS to take fantastic photos with the beautiful night sky of Miyako Island in the background. The contrast between the stars and the moon in the distance and the illumination of the lights held by hands is mysterious. The night sky of Miyako Island with its clean air is like a natural planetarium, full of stars.
Why don't you take a memorable picture with the overwhelmingly beautiful full sky of tropical stars in the background? You can enjoy the full night sky of Miyako Island during the Silver Week because it is the time of the new moon before the Mid-Autumn Moon.
(3) Lunch cruising
Why don't you enjoy your meal while cruising the sea of Miyako Island from noon? The cruise ship "Mont Blanc," which departs from Hirara Port, has a beautiful white exterior and a luxurious interior in the main dining room. The glass-bottomed aqua lounge is a glass board that makes you feel like you are exploring in the sea water.
A delicious main meal is also included, and there are a variety of onboard activities, such as folk music live performances by the ship's crew using sanshin and other instruments. This is a very economical activity that allows you to enjoy the undersea viewing, meals, scenery, and folk music. Please join this luxurious tour to fully enjoy the sea of Miyako Island from noon.
4) Blue Cave Undersea Tour
Have you ever heard of the Blue Cave? The Blue Cave in Italy is famous, isn't it? A spot similar to the Blue Cave exists on Irabu Island near Miyako Island. The sea around the Ao no grotto is deep blue, and the appearance of the sea is like nothing you have ever seen before. This tour takes you on a glass boat to the very edge of the Ao no Tsubu (Blue Cave) and lets you enjoy the ocean floor near the cave.
The dynamic topography of the ocean floor and the ocean color of the Blue Cave are extremely beautiful and will become one of the good memories of your trip.
5) Decorate with coral and seashells! Mini seasar craft experience
When you think of Miyako Island in autumn, you probably have a strong image of typhoons. Even if it is not a typhoon, Miyako Island is often hit by sudden heavy rain like squalls.
Craft experiences are what you would like to try at such times. You can make your own original welcome board using coral, seashells, driftwood, etc. This is an indoor activity that anyone can enjoy, including families, friends, and couples, so why not include one indoor activity in your tour?
Five recommended sightseeing spots for Silver Week in Miyako Island
(1) Hora Fishing Port Beach
This is a hole-in-the-wall beach on Miyako Island. This beach is located next to a fishing port and is characterized by its silky white sand. It has well-developed coral reefs and the sea is as clean as other popular beaches. The beach is located near the lighthouse of Higashi Heiananazaki, so if you turn left at the slope before the parking lot by the lighthouse, you will find the beach next to the Hora Fishing Port.
The current is relatively calm because the large rocks are lined up as if scattered over the sea. It is fun to stroll along the beach while enjoying the unique view of the present.
Address: Aza-Hora, Jobe, Miyakojima City
Phone number: 0980-74-2212
(2) Ueno Otake Joshi Park
This park is located to the east of Nohara-dake, the highest peak on Miyako Island. It is the site of the castle of Otake Anshi, who once ruled this area in the 14th century. There is an observatory from which you can view the whole flat Miyako Island.
Nearby are the ruins of Otake Castle and an Air Self-Defense Force base. There is also a baseball field and tennis courts, making it a great place for families. The park is not frequented by many tourists and is well-liked by locals, so it is a good place to visit when you want to relax between trips.
Address: Uenohara, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
(3) Usui Utaki
Uprimizu Utaki, located near Hirara Port, the gateway to the sea on Miyako Island, is the most prestigious Utaki on Miyako Island. It is one of the few Utaki on Miyako Island where visitors are free to come and go as they please.
A precious cultural asset, Uwamizu Utaki enshrines two deities, Koikaku and Gueyotama, who are associated with the creation of Miyako. It is a sacred place of worship for the islanders, so please visit the site with good manners.
Address: 8 Nishisato, Hirara, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
(4) Kawamitsu mangrove
Kawamitsu Mangrove is a small oasis of greenery that can easily be visited during a drive. Yaeyamahirugi, Ohirugi, and Mehirugi grow in clusters, and the mangrove forest is located near a residential area, making it easy to visit.
The size of the mangroves is very small compared to the Shimajiri mangrove forests on the island or the clusters on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands, but there are wooden boardwalks and pavilions where you can take a rest and relax while looking over the mangroves.
It will be a relaxing spot where you can take a leisurely stroll. You can spend a relaxing time while feeling beautiful butterflies such as the giant tiger butterfly, wild birds alighting at the water's edge, and other creatures resting in the mangroves. Why not take a deep breath at Kawamitsu Mangrove, a green oasis in the middle of your trip?
Address: Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa
(5) Ono Mountain Forest
Onoyama forest is the only forest in Miyako Island, where the forest coverage is low, and is a valuable forest that is home to many national natural treasures and rare plants. It is well-loved by the local people and is used for walking and nature study for students.
Birdwatching enthusiasts and hiking enthusiasts will find this forest irresistible, as it is a place where they can observe red-crowned nightingales, sunbirds, and other birds, such as the kinbato, which is designated as a national natural treasure.
During the Silver Week, the heat eases up a bit, even on Miyako Island. The forest in particular is a perfect place to cool off. Please visit.
Address: Higashi Nakasone, Hirara, Miyakojima City, Okinawa, Japan
summary
How was it? Many people visit Miyako Island for this reason, as swimming can be enjoyed at beaches all over the island until around Silver Week.
However, not only swimming, but other activities are also popular, including glass boats, fishing, cruising, and stargazing. It is also fun to get in touch with the nature of Miyako Island, such as the Ono Mountain Forest and Kawamitsu Mangrove.
The island is surrounded by great nature, including kinpatoes that can only be seen on Miyakojima and mangrove forests near residential areas. Why not enjoy Miyako Island to the fullest during Silver Week?
Thank you for reading to the end!
