Miyako (Shimojishima)

Beaches are definitely Miyako Island’s biggest draw card, with snow white sand and almost unfathomably beautiful turquoise waters. Maehama Beach is one of Japan’s best, famed for its sunsets, while Yoshino Beach is ideal if you want to go snorkelling amongst swathes of cute, colourful fish. Sunayama Beach is equally pretty and known for its photogenic natural rock gate that sits right at the waterfront. Just try to resist this photo opportunity!

As Miyako Island is part of a group of islands, it’s connected to surrounding areas by impressive, slender bridges that slice across the bright blue waters between. Irabu Bridge is a relatively new, toll-free bridge that spans 6.5kms from Miyako to Irabu, arching over coral reef waters. Walk the Kurima Bridge (it’s only 1690m) for some spectacular views as farmers transport their crops alongside you, or cross the Ikema Bridge and discover the scenery and wildlife of Ikejima.

Known locally as the ‘flower garden of the ocean’, Yabiji is Japan's largest group of coral reefs, with the distinction of being visible above the water during the low tide time of the year. Divers will be in seventh heaven here, with a multicoloured marine world to explore, including neon fish, coral snakes and manta rays. Don’t want to get right down amongst it? Take a glass boat tour where you can see the reef through glass sections in the boat’s floor.

Once a thick forest of ancient pines, the Miyakojima City Botanical Garden was re-landscaped in the late 1960s and is now a lovely botanical garden, laced with walking trails and designed for rest, relaxation and showcasing hundreds of tropical plants. Wander the grounds and you’ll see plant life from Japan, Hawaii, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. It’s the largest garden of its kind in the Okinawa Prefecture, with 40,000 trees and 1600 different kinds of plants.

Miyako Island has some pretty staggering sea views, but this is the big one. At the most south-eastern point of Miyako Island, you’ll find the popular sightseeing spot of Higashi-hennazaki. This cape is crowned by a lighthouse and so gorgeous it is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty. Saunter the 2km-long promontory, taking in the views of the ocean and surrounding limestone cliffs, or head up to the lighthouse to watch the sun set or rise.