List of recommended places to visit and things to do in Shimojishima!

What is Shimoji Island?

Shimoji Island, one of the outlying islands belonging to the Miyako archipelago and adjacent to Irabu Island, was once famous for its powerful "touch-and-go" airplane takeoff and landing training, but a new airport facility has been built and will be open for private use on March 30, 2019.

It is an island that cannot be missed on a trip to Miyakojima, dotted with tourist spots such as Nakanoshima Beach, a popular snorkeling spot, and Dori Ike Pond! We will guide you to such Shimoji Island.

 

Geographic and Statistical Information

Shimoji Island is located about 8 km northwest of Miyako Island, adjacent to the southwest of Irabu Island across a channel several tens of meters wide and 3 km long, with an elevation of about 21.6 m, an area of 9.54 km2, and a circumference of about 17.5 km. It is the 17th largest of the islands of Okinawa and the 4th largest of the Miyako Islands.

Because the island was formed by the uplift of coral reefs, it has no mountains and is very flat, with a maximum elevation of 21.6 meters. It is connected to Miyako Island by the 1425-meter-long Ikema Ohashi Bridge, which opened in February 1992. The number of inhabitants is less than 50, and is decreasing in inverse proportion to the ever-increasing number of tourists.

 

Access

1. Access to Shimojijima and Miyakojima by air

(1)Flight to Miyako Airport

JAL and ANA offer direct flights between Miyako Island and major airports in Japan, with one outbound and one inbound flight per day. If it is not a direct flight, it will be a transfer flight with a change of planes at Naha Airport. ANA offers 6 daily flights between Naha Airport and Miyako Airport, and JAL offers 9 daily flights between Naha Airport and Miyako Airport.

 

(2)Flight to Shimojijima Airport

Starting March 30, 2019, you can directly access Shimojishima via Jetstar, an LCC that began operating flights to Shimojishima Airport. There is one direct flight per day between Shimojishima Airport and Narita International Airport for both outbound and inbound flights. From July 3, 2019, Jetstar will also operate a daily direct flight between Shimojishima Airport and Kansai International Airport, both on the outbound and inbound routes!

 

2. Transportation on the island

There are three options for transportation within Shimoji Island, including within Miyako Island: rental cars and other vehicles, local buses, and bicycles.

 

(1)Car rental

When traveling to Miyako Island, which is connected to the other islands by bridges, it is common to rent a car! Once you rent a car, you can get around Miyako Island as well as the islands connected by bridges without any problems. A nonstop trip around Miyako Island takes about one hour, while Shimoji and the other islands can be covered in 15 to 30 minutes. Shimoji Island can be reached in 30 minutes from Miyako Airport by crossing the Irabu Bridge!

 

Started handling rental cars!

We'll also reserve a rental car, which fills up quickly!
↓Click here for more information.

 

(2) Bus

Miyako Kyoei Bus Route 9 (Miyako Shimojishima Airport Resort Route)
Miyako Shimojishima Airport Liner by Miyako Chuo Kotsu Co.

The above two companies operate between Shimojishima Airport and within Miyakojima Island and between Miyakojima Airport and Ueno. The outbound and inbound routes have almost the same departure time and almost the same route.

Currently, both flights are only one round trip in the morning to coincide with Jetstar's arrivals and departures. (With the launch of the KIX service in July and the overseas LCC Hong Kong Express service, we may be able to have an afternoon flight as well!)

The Airport Liner costs 100-200 yen more than the Route 9 bus and arrives a little earlier. Note that while you can get on and off at any bus stop of your choice on Route 9, you can only get off at the last stop of the Airport Liner when departing from Shimojishima Airport, but cannot get on during the trip!

 

(3) Bicycle

If it is not raining, bicycles are also recommended. There are a couple of bike rental stores in the town of Hirara. Crossing the 3.54-km Irabu Bridge by bicycle is also refreshing and easy, so it is recommended, but be careful not to get sunburned.

 

Popular Spots on Shimoji Island

Shimojishima Popular Spots 1. Shimojishima Airport

Opened in March 2019, it is a freshly built, hot airport. The entrance is like a first-class resort hotel, and the interior is so luxurious that you will want to stay and relax the whole time.

The store sells sandwiches made with ingredients unique to Miyako Island, Irabu Island, and Shimoji Island, a souvenir store selling Shimojijima Airport exclusive products, and a bar counter serving specialty awamori (Okinawa sake)!

The check-in counters, security checkpoints, and other areas are also built with plenty of space anyway, and the colors of the buildings and facilities make you feel at home, so this will surely become your favorite airport!

Popular Spots on Shimoji Island 2. Nakanoshima Beach (Kayaffa)

Nakanoshima Beach, located on the west side of Shimoji Island, is a bay-like beach surrounded on both sides by a shore wall, and the water is a deep, beautiful bright blue! The color of the water is a deep, bright blue! The surrounding white sand beach is surrounded by rocks of various sizes, and even just looking at the scenery, you will be refreshed by the beauty of the beach.

The most noteworthy of all is the underwater scenery.♪ As soon as you enter the sea, you will be surrounded by a variety of tropical fish, which will increase your excitement. If you proceed a little further, paying attention to the rocks and corals, you will soon reach a depth that is beyond the reach of your feet. This is unusual because most of the beaches on Miyako Island have shallow waters.

Even though it is deep, the slightly enclosed cove-like area has a coral bank that is like a pool, so you can enjoy the incredibly beautiful underwater world in the absence of current! There is no need to worry about sharks or other creatures appearing.

Around a large rock in the center of the bay, a group of corals and various kinds of tropical fish swim around. You may see rare white-tip clownfish and other fish that can only be found here, as well as cuttlefish that swim in a unique and adorable manner. If you get carried away, you may find yourself spending quite a bit of time underwater!

By the way, before entering the ocean, you should also pay attention to another sign with a picture at the entrance. It reads, "No feeding, no standing, no kicking, no touching, no walking." This is a reminder to prevent fish from being deformed by artificial food such as fish sausage, and coral from dying if you stand, kick, touch, or walk on the coral.

Some corals look like rocks at first glance, so if you are not sure which is which, just assume they are all corals and do not ride on them (by the way, please note that you will be warned with a loud speaker if you ride on corals).

Although Nakanoshima Beach is such an attractive beach, it is prone to rip currents, so care should be taken during the ebb and flow of the high tide. If you want to enjoy the underwater world with peace of mind, we recommend that you join a tour!

Click here for diving and snorkeling tours at Nakanoshima Beach.

 

If you are going by yourself, park your car on the other side of the road past the beach. You are not allowed to park on the ocean side! Marine goods rentals are also available around where you park your car. There are people watching over the beach at the beach entrance, so be sure to greet them as you enter the beach.

For more information about Nakanoshima Beach, click here↓.

 

Popular Spots on Shimoji Island 3. Street Pond

The adjacent pond on the land side, with a diameter of 55 m and a depth of 25 m, and the pond on the sea side, with a diameter of 75 m and a depth of 45 m, are connected by an underground section, and the pond on the sea side is also connected to the sea through a cave. The depth of both ponds changes with the ebb and flow of the tide, and the color of the water appears to change as the water of different temperatures comes into contact with each other.

The mysterious scenery of a pond filled with blue seawater suddenly appearing amidst the black rocks is very rare not only in Okinawa but also in Japan. It is a popular spot among divers, and is called "Japan's Blue Hole" because of its fantastic blue color. Advanced divers come to enjoy the blue-based water color, which changes with depth, the variety of fish, corals, and the topography.

If you want to try diving, click here↓.

 

There is a large paved parking lot in the area and clean restrooms. There is also a concession stand.

For more information about Street Pond, click here↓.

 

Popular Spots on Shimoji Island 4. Obi Iwa

It is said that Obiwa Iwa, a huge rock on Shimoji Island, was washed up when Shimoji Island was submerged in the Meiwa Tsunami that followed the Yaeyama Earthquake in 1771, but there is another theory that it was washed up by a much earlier tsunami. The height of the rock is about 12.5 m, its circumference is about 59.9 m, and its weight is unmeasurable.

A red torii gate stands in front of the obiwa, creating a solemn atmosphere. It is called Obi-iwa (belt rock) because the center of the large rock is hollowed out and looks just like a kimono sash.

For more information about Obiwa, click here↓.

 

Popular Spots on Shimoji Island 5. Uogaki (Nagaki) - Sawada no Hama

In the shallows on the beach side of Sawada, where you can see the underwater rocks strewn in the distance along the perimeter road around the airport, which is now closed to vehicular traffic, you will find what looks like a stone pile and a channel.

It is said that this method was started by taking advantage of the large amount of stones left by the tsunami of 1771. It is still used today to provide tourists with a hands-on fishing experience.

For more information on Sawada beach, click here↓.

 

Popular Spots in Shimojishima 6.17 END

17END is located at the northern end of Shimoji Airport and offers a beautiful contrast between the red pier leading to the runway, the gradient of the ocean, and the beach, which appears only at low tide. The waters in this area are so clear that it is considered a sanctuary for diving, and the abundance of coral reefs and tropical fish attract many divers to this area every year.

At low tide, the white sandy beach emerges from the cobalt blue ocean, changing its appearance with each incoming wave, making it a spectacular spot. The beach is surrounded by tetrapods and is slippery in many places, so it is best to avoid this spot if you are with small children.

In addition to diving, SUP and snorkeling are also offered, and this is one of the spots where you can enjoy activities while enjoying one of the most spectacular views in the Miyako Archipelago.

 

Popular Spots on Shimoji Island 7. Nabesoko Pond

Nabesoko Pond is located just south of the Street Pond and is a limestone cave with a strong image of rugged rocky terrain. The name "Nabesoko Pond" comes from the fact that it looks as if it were boiling when the sea conditions are rough.

In contrast to the Street Pond, it is said to be the birthplace of a dragon due to the rough atmosphere of the rocky terrain, and is also known as a power spot. It is said to be a good place to visit when you want to try something new. This is a good place to visit when you come to Doriike.

Recommended Food in Shimojishima and Surrounding Area

Recommended Dining in Shimojishima and Surrounding Area 1.Restaurant Sashiba

Restaurant Sasiba is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy Shimoji's gourmet food. The name "Sasiba" comes from the name of a migratory bird that flies to Shimoji Island, the sasiba. The sasiba is an internationally protected bird that visits Shimoji Island in the fall to rest its wings before flying from Japan to the Philippines.

Restaurant Sasiba offers an island menu that includes tuna, bonito, and other seafood caught in the waters around Shimoji Island, as well as Irabu soba noodles. You can enjoy them with Awamori and other typical Okinawan alcoholic beverages. You can also enjoy barbecue on the terrace!

Related Rankings:Set menus and cafeterias | Miyakojima City

 

Recommended gourmet food in and around Shimoji Island 2.BOTTA

BOTTA is a pizza specialty restaurant located near the beach of Sawada on the border of Shimoji and Irabu Islands. The dough is mainly light and thin, making it so addictive that you can go for as many slices as you like. Reservations are required during busy seasons due to the restaurant's popularity. Reservations are especially required for the terrace seats.

From the terrace seats, you can enjoy your pizza while soaking in the sea breeze and looking out over Sawada beach, selected as one of the 100 best beaches in Japan. The sight of rocks lying in the clear water is beautiful.

Related Rankings:pizza | Miyakojima City

 

Recommended food in and around Shimojishima Island3.Nakaikui Shoten

Nakayukui Shoten is a tempura restaurant loved by the locals. The owner, a grandmother, opened the restaurant because the tempura she served at local events was delicious and well received.

All tempura is delicious, but the most popular is the red sweet potato sata andagi. The sweetness of the red sweet potato is well balanced by the light aftertaste, making it easy to overindulge. Enjoy the unique texture and taste of the surface of the sata andagui, which is crispy on the surface and moist on the inside. It is a standard travel companion.

Related Rankings:tempura | Miyakojima City

 

summary

How was it? With the construction of the Irabu Bridge and Shimojishima Airport, Shimojishima is now the island that is changing the most. We invite you to visit Shimojishima, which has begun to change, and to visit its many beautiful sightseeing spots, which we hope will never change.