Settle in for a remarkably panoramic drive around Miyakojima and two neighboring islands with frequent stops at the most naturally beautiful attractions. Water views are plentiful as you will discover while pausing at bridges leading to the islands off Miyakojima and at Higashi Hennazaki, a low rocky cape that juts into the typically crashing sea. Similarly, water is the prominent feature at scenic Maehama Beach, the pair of brilliant blue Tooriike Ponds on Shimojijima Island and at the Miyakojima Marine Park, where you will observe a spectacular array of marine life through large underwater windows. Perched atop a hill, Makiyama Observatory offers an all-encompassing view of the area and some of the attractions that you will have already seen up-close. A leisurely tour of Yuki Shio will reveal how the saltworks factory removes mineral-rich sea salt from the ocean. The company’s name means “snow salt,” a reflection of the salt’s brilliant white color.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Admire the natural beauty of Miyakojima and other islands from the best vantage points.
• Behold the unexpected dips in Irabu Ohashi Bridge, the longest toll-free bridge in Japan.
• Observe unusual sea creatures through the viewing windows at Miyakojima Marine Park.
• See how salt is extracted from the sea and gaze out of the ocean at lovely Maehama Beach.

See southern Miyakojima Island from every angle, beginning with an aerial view from a gondola on the Shigira Lift Ocean Sky. It will be easy to get your bearings of the surrounding area as the gondola glides over the lush landscape toward the ocean that rims the southern shore. For a look at the marine life along the southern coast, you will ease into the Sea Sky Hakuai, a semi-submersible vessel with viewing windows just below the water’s surface. Visibility is usually excellent so you can expect to see everything from colorful clown fish to graceful sea turtles swimming about the reef. You will be treated to other outstanding seaside views at park-like Imugya Marine Garden and from the rocky cape Higashi Hennazaki. The latter is a lengthy finger of land that juts into the sea on the island’s southeasternmost point. A bit of free time for shopping will round out the island tour.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Enjoy an aerial view of the southern coast from a gondola on the Shigira Lift Ocean Sky.
• Observe the teeming marine life by cruising the southern coast in a semi-submersible.
• Gaze out over the ocean from a beautiful seaside park and a long rocky cape.

Explore highlights that define Miyakojima’s northern half, many of them manmade as a counterpoint to the island’s natural resources. Yuki Shio saltworks is particularly noteworthy, as the Guinness Book of World Records certified its salt as the world’s best because of its extraordinarily high mineral content. The product is extracted from deep in the ocean through a complex process that yields a powdery dust-like salt. You will observe some of the creatures that inhabit the surrounding sea through the underwater windows at Miyakojima Marine Park, a star attraction on the island’s northern peninsula. As you will see from the scenic lookout, a lengthy bridge connects the peninsula to Ikema Island. Nearby, you will find the expansive Shimajiri mangrove forests that line the brackish waterways that extend inland. As you meander along the wooden boardwalk in Shimajiri, the guide will point out the various species of trees, including the loop-root mangrove.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• View the factory that produces a mineral-rich sea salt certified to be the world’s best.
• Observe unusual sea creatures through the viewing windows at Miyakojima Marine Park.
• Take in the area’s striking natural beauty from the observation platform at Ikema Bridge.
• Walk along a boardwalk that winds through a pristine mangrove forest.

The emerald-green sea captures the spotlight on this jaunt around Miyakojima and its neighboring islands that presents one picturesque setting after another. Not far from port, you will pause at Maehama Beach, a four-mile stretch of white sand that consistently ranks among the finest in all of Japan. The island that you will see to the north is Irabu, which you will reach by crossing the Irabu Ohashi Bridge. The span was constructed with a double-hump design and curved shape so it looks more like a natural feature than a concrete bridge. It leads to Makiyama Observatory, which offers spectacular sweeping views as well as Irabu Ohashi Bridge. From the sea, the observatory looks like a bird spreading its wings in flight. The twin Toriike Ponds are the must-see attraction on Shimojishima Island. An underground channel connects the ponds, and you may see adventurous divers emerging from it. Be sure to ask the guide about the mermaid legend associated with the Toriike Ponds.

Enjoy a panoramic and wonderfully circuitous drive around Miyakojima Island and two neighboring islands, taking in a remarkable diversity of sights. Before crossing the Irabu Ohashi Bridge, you will pause to admire the unusually curved, double-hump concrete span. Continuing on across Irabu and Shimojijima islands will bring you to twin Toriike ponds, a gorgeous natural attraction known for its mermaid legend. Another stop at inspiring, white-sand Maehama Beach will present an excellent view of low-lying Kurima Island, much of which is agricultural. You can’t help but notice the clarity of the surrounding waters, which are teeming with brightly colored marine life. The best perspective to observe the creatures underwater is through the dozens of windows below the surface in the Miyakojima Marine Park, which was constructed on the ocean floor. You will also discover how mineral-rich salt is removed from the seawater at Yuki Shio, an innovative saltworks factory.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Admire the natural beauty of Miyakojima and other islands from the best vantage points.
• Cross Irabu Ohashi, a bridge with double dips that is the longest toll-free bridge in Japan.
• Admire the gorgeous Toriike Ponds, whose water frequently changes colors.
• Observe unusual sea creatures through the viewing windows at Miyakojima Marine Park.
• See how salt is extracted from the sea and gaze out of the ocean at lovely Maehama Beach.