Extend Your Trip from Miyako Island to Remote Islands! How to Access 5 Nearby Islands

Miyako Island lies southwest of Okinawa’s main island, between the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea. Scattered around it are Irabu Island, Shimoji Island, Kurima Island, Ikema Island, and Ogami Island. Each has its own charm, distinct from Miyako’s main island. There are several ways to reach these islands, and in this guide, we’ll show you how to extend your travels from Miyako to explore all five.

1. Head to Kurima Island via the Kurima Bridge

Kurima Island is located about 1.5 km southwest of Miyako’s main island. This nature-rich island is a popular tourist destination. It’s connected to Miyako by the 1,690-meter-long Kurima Bridge, so there is no ferry service. You can cross by car, taxi, on foot, or by bicycle.
From Miyako Airport, it takes about 14 minutes by car or around 50 minutes by bicycle. If you want to travel by car rather than public transport, rent one near Miyako Airport or in the city area. There are no rental car shops on Kurima Island, so you’ll need to arrange this on Miyako beforehand.
Kurima Bridge is also famous as a scenic driving route. The beautiful ocean stretches out on both sides, offering spectacular views. On the Kurima Island side, you’ll find cafes and souvenir shops. For a relaxed sightseeing experience, cross by rental car or bicycle and enjoy the scenery along the way. Walking is possible, but it’s a considerable distance, so prepare accordingly.

2. Take a Local Bus to Kurima Island

If using a local bus, note that there is no direct route connecting Miyako Island and Kurima Island, so you’ll need to transfer. From Miyako Airport, first take the Miyako Kyoei Bus “Shinzato Miyaguni Line” (Route 5) to Hirara. The ride takes about 10 minutes. From there, transfer to the “Yonaha Kadekari Line” and get off at Kurima. The ride from Hirara to Kurima takes about 45 minutes. This is a great option for those without time constraints, as you can enjoy the scenery from the bus window.
However, be aware that there are only two buses to Kurima per day—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. If you miss your return bus on a day trip, getting back to your hotel will be difficult, so plan carefully.

3. Take a Local Bus to Ikema Island

Ikema Island is located about 1.5 km north of Miyako’s main island. It’s connected by Ikema Bridge, and there is no ferry service. While you can reach it by local bus, there is no direct route, so a transfer is necessary.
From the airport, take the “Shinzato Miyaguni Line” (Route 5) and get off at City Hall. The ride takes about 10 minutes. After getting off, walk in the direction the bus was heading, turn right at the first intersection, and continue straight. In less than 10 minutes, you’ll see the Hirara bus stop.
From Hirara, take the Yachiyo Bus “Ikema Loop Line.” In about 55 minutes, you’ll arrive at the Gakkō-ura (Behind the School) bus stop on Ikema Island. You can also get off at Gyokō-mae (In Front of the Fishing Port). The Miyako Kyoei Bus from the airport to Hirara runs four times a day, while the Yachiyo Bus to Ikema runs 6–7 times daily, making day trips possible.

4. For Sightseeing in Ikema Island, Try a Bicycle or Rental Car

There are no rental car shops on Ikema Island, so you’ll need to rent on Miyako beforehand. For active travelers, cycling across Ikema Bridge is highly recommended! If cycling, take a local bus from the airport to Hirara’s city center.
Once there, rent a bicycle and head to Ikema Island. From Hirara, it takes about 1.5 hours by bike to reach Ikema. This option is best for those confident in their stamina.
Rental shops in the city offer not just bicycles but also mopeds, electric bikes, road bikes, and rental cars. Using a bike or car means you don’t have to worry about bus schedules, making it perfect for a flexible day trip.

5. Reach Ogami Island by Passenger Boat “Ukan Kariyusu”

Ogami Island is located about 4 km north-northeast of Miyako Island. It is said to be a sacred island where gods reside, and it draws many visitors as a powerful spiritual spot.
The only way to reach Ogami Island is by sea. The ferry terminal for Ogami is at Shimajiri Fishing Port. If you’re going to the port by public transport, first take the “Shinzato Miyaguni Line” (Route 5) from the airport to City Hall. From there, walk in the direction the bus was traveling until you reach the Hirara bus stop, which is less than 10 minutes away.
From Hirara, board the Yachiyo Bus “Ikema Loop Line.” After about 25 minutes, get off at Shimajiri Port or Shimajiri Entrance. From Shimajiri Fishing Port, take the “Ukan Kariyusu” passenger boat operated by Ogami Kaiun, which makes four round trips per day to Ogami Island. The crossing takes about 15 minutes. In winter, there are also only four services, so pay close attention to return times. Since travel is only by boat, those prone to seasickness should prepare accordingly.

Information as of October 2023

6. Comfortable Travel to Irabu Island by Local Bus

Irabu Island is located northwest of Miyako’s main island. Once the only nearby island without a bridge, it became connected by the Irabu Bridge, which opened on January 31, 2015. Today, the main ways to get there are by rental car, taxi, or local bus. There is no direct bus route from Miyako to Irabu, so you must transfer at Hirara Port. From the airport, take the “Shinzato Miyaguni Line” (Route 5) and arrive at Hirara Port in about 25 minutes.
From there, take the Kyowa Bus “Hirara Line.” After another 25 minutes, you’ll arrive on Irabu Island, where you can get off at various bus stops. Irabu is one of the larger remote islands around Miyako, so buses run eight times daily, making day trips easy. From the bus window, you can enjoy views of the stunning sea beneath the Irabu Bridge. When driving, you can’t take in the scenery as deeply, but on the bus, you can savor the view in comfort.

7. Cross the Long Irabu Bridge by Bicycle

The Irabu Bridge, connecting Miyako Island and Irabu Island, stretches 3,540 meters, making it the longest toll-free bridge in Japan. While travel by rental car or bus is comfortable, crossing by bicycle is also highly recommended. The ride from Miyako Airport to Irabu Island takes about 30 minutes by bike, which isn’t as long as you might expect.
Although Irabu Island has some local bus routes, they don’t stop at tourist spots, making bicycles an excellent way to explore freely. Crossing the Irabu Bridge by bike offers a different perspective of the sea compared to a bus ride. Feeling the wind and scent of the sea during your ride will create wonderful memories. You might even stop midway to take commemorative photos with the stunning ocean and blue sky as your backdrop.

8. Reach Shimoji Island by Bus and On Foot

Shimoji Island is famous for having Shimoji Airport, the only place in Japan where pilot training takes place. There is no direct bus route to the island. If traveling by local bus, get off at the closest stops—Kuninaka Community Center or Sawada Bus Depot—and walk from there. From Kuninaka Community Center, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the island.
From Sawada Bus Depot, the walk takes about 20–30 minutes. To reach these bus stops from Miyako, first go to Hirara Port and take the Kyowa Bus “Hirara Line.” The ride from Hirara Port to Kuninaka Community Center takes about 40 minutes. Shimoji Island is also a popular scenic spot, so it’s recommended to visit together with Irabu Island. If you prefer to explore without worrying about time, a rental car is the best option.

◎ Summary

We’ve introduced the different ways to access the five islands around Miyako Island. While public transportation is often used during travel, if you want to enjoy your trip with more freedom, a rental car is highly recommended. Of course, buses and ferries can also be convenient if you follow the schedules carefully.
Cycling may require more effort, but it offers flexibility and the chance to discover detours that you might miss with a car. With so many ways to reach the remote islands around Miyako, choose the method that best suits you and set out to explore.