Miyako Island Introduction
The Southern Island of Everlasting Summer
* Miyako Island
Far in the distance south approximately
2100 km from Tokyo, approximately 1700 km
from Osaka, approximately 1800 km from Nagoya,
and over 3000 km from Hokkaido is where Miyako
Island is situated.
B It is situated at lat. 24 degrees N.,
which is about the same as Taipei City in
Taiwan. There are direct flights from Tokyo
and Osaka daily, and it only takes about
a 2 and a half hours flight, which is about
the same amount of time it takes to go to
work in the morning in the metropolitan cities.
The climate is subtropical and the yearly
average temperature is around 23 degrees
Celsius.
Even in February, which is mid-winter, the
temperature rarely ever goes below 12 degrees
Celsius.
Special local products are sugar canes,
mangos, and melons, but mass production of
green peppers has recently begun, due to
its becoming famous after it was introduced
as the highest class of its product on the
popular television program, gThe Iron Chefh.
Many homes plant banana, papaya, and guava
trees in their gardens and you can even see
wild banana, wild papaya, and wild guava
trees on the roadsides as well.
Research and development of other tropical
and subtropical fruit trees, vegetables,
and medicinal herbs are being conducted as
well and there is much expectation regarding
these projects.
As Miyako Island is an island of everlasting
summer, you can see numerous angelfishes
and other colorful tropical fishes swimming
in the beaches and reefs. World famous diving
spots are located in many areas surrounding
the island as well.
There are no mountains on the island and
the highest hill is only about 100 m above
sea level. Therefore, there are no rivers
on the island either.
Due to this, compared to the nearby islands
of the Yaeyama Archipelago, such as the Ishigaki
Island and the Iriomote Island, the natural
landscape is undistinguished. However, beautiful
sceneries such as the shoreline of Higashi
Henna Cape, and the breathtaking view from
the bridge that unites the remote islands
of Ikema and Kurima, are sure to leave strong
impressions in the hearts and minds of all
who visit there.
B Tourists come to the island, fascinated
by the islandfs pure white beaches, the
emerald green oceans, the cobalt blue oceans,
and the oceans that changes into the 7 colors
of the rainbow. Not only that, but the tourists
that visit the island, with a wish to conduct
warm and pleasant exchanges with the friendly
people of Miyako Island as well as the many
who have moved here from all over the nation
and from foreign countries, grows annually.
Due to this the number of tourists who visit
our island has grown to over 300,000 people.
As the island has no rivers, the ocean is
rarely contaminated. Therefore the clarity
of the ocean water is world eminent and the
ocean floor is blessed with many varying
points. Thus over 30,000 divers visit the
island annually and because most of them
become repeaters, the number continues to
grow every year.
@ At the beaches, the shorelines, and the
nearby reefs, it is even possible for small
children, old people, and beginners to snorkel
and frolic with beautiful tropical fishes
and small animals such as cute crabs and
hermit crabs. There are also beaches, where
it is possible to conduct barbecues for free
and where showers and bathrooms are also
available for free as well, all over the
island. So it is possible to pleasantly enjoy
ocean leisure activities even if diving is
not your purpose.
Fishing at Miyako Island is not only popular
to the general anglers, but it is also popular
among show business entertainers, such as
Tatsuo Umemiya and Hiroki Matsukata, men
of culture, and sports athletes as well.
For beginners, fishing in the payao area
is recommended.
Payao is a raft like object, which is situated
approximately 30 minutes to an hours distance
by fishing boat, offshore of Miyako Island.
Algae and seaweed cling to this and grow
and from the law of the food chain, large
fish gather at this spot to eat the small
fishes that swarm to eat the algae and seaweed.
Near the payao, with medium sized fishes
like leatherfish and blue mackerel scads,
you can catch a fish for every cast of your
fishing line, choosing which fish you want
from among the thousands that swarm beneath
and to which you have a birdfs-eye view.
@ The moment you drop your fishing line
into the water, you will have an instant
catch.
Near this area, you can also catch such
big fishes as bonitos, big eye tunas, yellow
fin tunas, marlins, and Mahi mahi the size
of a few kilograms to some that weigh more
than 10 kilograms.
With big game fishing, it is hard to insure
that you will always be able to get a catch,
as much depends on the winds and the water
currents, but there is a 50% possibility
for even beginners to get a catch. So, please
come out and take at least one shot at big
game fishing.
At Miyako Island, it is common for beginners
to fish big games the size of 50 to 60 kilograms
on their first try.
It is possible to get on a bonito pole and
line fishing boat and experience bonito pole
and line fishing first hand.
The boat leaves the dock at early morning
daybreak and your return will, if early,
be around noontime and, if late, after dusk.
Itfs a pretty tough schedule, but the experience
should be priceless.
If under the blazing sun, which surrounds
you 360 degrees, in a world where there is
only the sky, the clouds, the wind, and the
sea, you discover a flock of birds flying
over a spot in the ocean, beneath that spot
swims a large school of bonitos.
Simultaneously ground bait scattering and
water sprinkling begins, and itfs the start
of pole and line fishing of the gallant bonitos.
For both the payao fishing and the bonito
pole and line fishing, including the equipment
rental fee and the lunch and drink fee, the
total fee for a dayfs fishing for 1 person
is only about 10,000 yen.
With regards to the bonito pole and line
fishing boats, usually general fishers are
not allowed on board the boats. However,
with an introduction from the gSeafood Tavern
Tyuzanh, you will be able to board the biggest
bonito fishing boat, the gHoukoumaruh,
where they will take very good care of you.
@ Also with regards to the payao fishing,
with an introduction from the gSeafood Tavern
Tyuzanh, you will be able to board Captain
Ikeifs, Tyuzanfs exclusive fisher and one
of Miyako Islandfs master big game fishermen,
fishing boat, the gChiakimaruh. Aboard
this boat, not only will you very rarely
come back without a catch, but you will be
able to anticipate a big catch.
For other types of fishing, we will introduce
you to the professional guide, Gala Fishingfs
Captain Tora-bo.
‚g‚… is Miyako Islandfs number one fishing
guide, who is trusted by show business entertainers
and professional fishermen as well.
The gSeafood Tavern Tyuzanh will gladly
assist you in snorkeling, diving, and other
tourist attractions at Miyako Island, as
well as with business and information on
moving to the island as well.
All information pertaining to Miyako Island
is of course free of charge, so please feel
free to contact us at any time.
gUnmya-chih (Welocme) to Miyako Island
*** delicious dishes are prepared and ready
to serve and we look forward to your visit.