A must-see for those who want to fully enjoy Miyako Island with their children!
From beautiful, shallow beaches and family-friendly activities to comfortable hotels and spots that kids will love, we introduce Miyako Island's tourist attractions and attractions.
To ensure a wonderful family trip to Miyako Island and create unforgettable memories, let's do some thorough preparation.
▶1. Recommended activities in Miyako Island that are safe even with children!
▽Snorkeling in the crystal-clear sea
▽Kayaking: A way for everyone to enjoy the sea.
▽A classic way to create memories: "Craft and Handcraft Experiences"
▶2. Top 3 Miyako Island Hotels Recommended for Families with Children
▽ Allamandaingya Coral Village
▽Miyakojima Tokyu Hotel & Resorts
Hilton Okinawa Miyakojima Resort
▶3. Recommended spots to visit on a family trip to Miyako Island!
▽3-1. Yonaha Maehama Beach, offering stunning views of Miyako Island's blue waters.
▽3-2. Imgya Marine Garden: Enjoy both the beach and a stroll.
▽3-3. Go into the sea fully clothed! Miyako Island Underwater Park
▽3-4. Completely smitten with the adorable goats ♡ Shiro Farm go at cafe
▽3-5. Delicious! Fun! Blue Seal Painagama Store
▶4. Useful tips for family trips to Miyako Island
▽4-1. Don't forget to check the age restrictions for marine activities beforehand!
▽4-2. Sunscreen is essential for both adults and children!
▽4-3. It's better to make a reservation for dinner.
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Provided by: AQUA BASE
We offer marine activities that even beginners can enjoy with peace of mind, focusing on Miyako Island's two major marine spots, "Yabiji" and "Pumpkin Cave."
Last-minute and same-day reservations are welcome! We also have excellent facilities including parking and hot showers!Formula HPBooking through us is the most economical option!
1. Recommended activities in Miyako Island that are safe and enjoyable even with children!
There are plenty of activities in Miyako Island that can be enjoyed with children.
Many companies offer these activities, and some tours are available for children as young as three years old, depending on the company and plan.
Snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.
Miyako Island has several snorkeling spots where you can see tropical fish right off the beach, without even having to go out to sea by boat.There are only a handful of snorkeling spots in Japan where you can enter the water from the beach.It is a prime example of an activity you'll want to experience in the seas around Miyako Island, surrounded by coral reefs.
▲Yonaha Maehama Beach▲
Three beaches that are particularly recommended for snorkeling with beach entry are Yonaha Maehama Beach, Imugya Marine Garden, and Aragusuku Coast.
Miyako Island boasts many natural beaches, but these three locations offer the beautiful scenery unique to natural beaches, while also having parking and restrooms nearby, and shallow waters where even small children can swim safely.
The experience of encountering a variety of colorful fish will be a valuable one for families with children.
▲Shigira Beach▲
If you'd like to see sea turtles, Shigira Beach is highly recommended.
The best spots to see sea turtles vary depending on the tide level, so be sure to check with the beach staff.
*Please note that since these are wild sea turtles, sightings are not guaranteed. If you spot a sea turtle, please do not approach it unnecessarily and observe it from a distance.
*A parking fee will be charged for visitors using Shigira Beach.
No matter which beach you go to, be sure to have the necessary equipment such as life jackets, inflatable rings, and water shoes, and keep a close eye on your children while you enjoy yourselves.
Kayaking is a great way for everyone to enjoy the ocean.
Kayaking (canoeing), where you slowly paddle across the sea and enjoy the scenery of Miyako Island, is a recommended activity for families.
In the crystal-clear waters of Miyako Island, you can enjoy watching the fish and coral reefs underwater even from a kayak.
Furthermore, some marine shops offer packages where the kayak itself is made of clear plastic, allowing you to experience what it's like to float on the sea!
Tours vary in content, including the type of kayak used, the location, and whether or not drone photography is included, so try to find a tour that suits your preferences.
Kayaking is a great activity for those who aren't confident swimmers, as you can enjoy it without getting too wet. Another advantage is that it makes it easy to plan your schedule after the activity.
Craft and handcraft experiences: A classic way to create lasting memories.
▲Image▲
If you're looking for a craft experience in Miyako Island, Miyako Island Craft Village is highly recommended.
Located within the Miyako Island Tropical Botanical Garden, about a 10-minute drive from Miyako Airport, admission is free.
At the Craft Experience Village, you'll find nine different workshops spread across a spacious, nature-filled area. There are plenty of experiences to enjoy, from island sandal making and pottery to shell crafting, cooking, Miyako weaving, cogon grass weaving, kaleidoscope making, and art workshops, so that people of all ages can have fun.
At the seashell workshop "MOKUPUNI," all items on the menu can be made by children as young as 3 years old. It would be wonderful to create matching mementos of your family trip using materials from the island.
Take a leisurely stroll through the botanical garden and try out your favorite experience course!
*Opening hours and closing days vary from workshop to workshop, and some workshops have irregular closing days, so advance reservations are recommended.
Top 3 Miyako Island Hotels Recommended for Families with Children
When traveling with children, choosing the right hotel is crucial, isn't it?
To ensure the whole family enjoys their trip, there are various factors to consider when choosing a hotel, such as services for children and location.
Miyako Island has many wonderful hotels, but I've picked out some of my recommendations.
Allamandaingya Coral Village
Plenty of privacy
Located within the Shigira Seven Miles Resort in southern Miyako Island, Alamanda Ingya Coral Village is a recommended accommodation for families with children.
Each guest room is a detached cottage type.And you can spend your time there as if you were in a vacation home.
Dividing the space into zones for relaxing, playing, and sleeping is convenient.
The first floor features two bedrooms, a living room, an open-air terrace, and even a jacuzzi. The second floor is a loft space, allowing you to separate your relaxation area from your sleeping area.Since you take off your shoes at the entrance, you can rest assured even if the kids roll around and lie down♪
If you request a Welcome Baby room, the loft will be transformed into a child's room with a safety railing!
Each guest room is equipped with a washer and dryer.
And, much to the delight of mothers, the rooms are equipped with a washer and dryer! Family trips inevitably mean a lot of luggage for everyone, but being able to do laundry at your destination means you can pack lighter! This is a big plus, wouldn't you say?! They also have a wide selection of baby and kids' items available for rent.
You can get around within the Shigira Resort by shuttle bus.
Just a few minutes' walk from the hotel is Imgya Marine Garden, a seaside park located in a cove. The beach is in an inland sea with almost no waves, so children can enjoy it safely. There are well-maintained walking paths and an observation deck that is often seen on social media, making it a great place for a stroll.
またIt's very convenient because you can get to restaurants and beaches within the Shigira Resort by shuttle bus!
- Address
- 542 Tomori, Gusukube, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 0980-77-8200
Please make your hotel reservation here.
Rakuten Travel
Jalan net
One restMiyakojima Tokyu Hotel & Resorts
A truly unique location. A stunning beach is right in front of you.
Miyakojima Tokyu Hotel & Resorts is said to be the best in the OrientYonaha Maehama Beach is right in front of you.Guests can access the beach by walking through the hotel garden.
The garden features a swimming pool and a grassy area, allowing children to run around freely within their parents' sight.
The location is also a plus, being only about a 10-minute drive from the area (Kugai) where Miyako Airport and supermarkets are located.
A wide variety of children's amenities and rentals are available.
The appeal of Miyakojima Tokyu Hotel & Resorts lies in its location and its extensive range of amenities for children.
Children's amenities include rentals of cribs and strollers, bathroom steps, baby bath chairs, children's amenities in restaurants, toys for sand and water play, and even diapers and baby wipes (for a fee)! The hotel's gift shop is also quite well-stocked.
When you travel, you often find yourself taking longer to adjust to unfamiliar routines or making mistakes, but thanks to various travel gadgets, you can relax and enjoy your trip!
Furthermore, since it is a sufficiently large hotel, you can rest assured that the hotel facilities are also excellent.
This hotel is wonderful because of its thoughtful touches, such as having a restaurant where you can bring your stroller right in, and providing baby food at the breakfast buffet!
- Address
- 914 Yonaha, Shimoji, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 0980-76-2109
Please make your hotel reservation here.
Hilton Okinawa Miyakojima Resort
A breathtaking view that will move both adults and children.
The Hilton Okinawa Miyakojima Resort just opened in June 2023. It boasts a convenient location, about a 10-minute drive from the city center, and is adjacent to the beach.
The rooftop, offering stunning sunset views including the Irabu Bridge, is a breathtaking Miyako Island experience enjoyed exclusively by hotel guests.
The outdoor and indoor pools are excellent.
At Hilton Okinawa Miyakojima Resort, you can borrow baby amenities such as a baby crib, diaper disposal bin, children's slippers, children's toothbrush, mini towel set, and pajamas. They even provide pool gowns! It's truly wonderful hospitality that anticipates every need.
When you're with children, you might often choose to play in a pool rather than the beach,Hilton Okinawa Miyakojima Resort has a total of five swimming pools, both indoors and outdoors.There are three outdoor pools, separated for families, kids, and adults, and the outdoor kids' pool even has a slide! There's also a shallow indoor pool where babies can play. It's great that you can let your kids play without worrying about sunburn or bad weather!
Enjoyable indoor services even in bad weather
There's also a kids' room (for a fee) that can fulfill your wish to let your kids play indoors and relax for a while. The Kids Club "Splash" is available for children aged 0-9 (children aged 0-3 must be accompanied by a guardian). There are plenty of toys and activities for your children to enjoy, so they can run around and have fun even on rainy days!
The breakfast buffet is also highly recommended, with a great selection including waffles that kids can make themselves and pork and egg dishes that are sure to get them excited. Both adults and children are sure to have a fun time without getting bored.
- Address
- 550-7 Hirara Kugai, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 0980-75-5500
Please make your hotel reservation here.
Recommended spots to visit on a family trip to Miyako Island!
Miyako Island has plenty of tourist spots that are fun for families with children! This time, we'll introduce five carefully selected spots!
Yonaha Maehama Beach
Yonaha Maehama, also known as Maehama Beach, is one of the most popular beaches on Miyako Island, located on the southwest side of the island, about a 15-minute drive from Miyako Airport. The pristine white sand stretches for about 7km and is made of fine, powdery sand. It feels wonderful to walk on it barefoot. Even children can walk on it safely. The beach is relatively shallow, so the contrast between the blue sky and the crystal-clear sea is beautiful.
The view of Kurima Island and Kurima Bridge right in front of you is like a painting, making it a truly relaxing place to simply unwind on the beach. During the swimming season (April to October), you can rest assured knowing that free parking, toilets, showers, and changing rooms are available.
Imgarma Marine Garden
This is a beautiful beach park located in the southern part of Miyako Island, featuring a natural cove. The calm cove has almost no waves, making it like a natural swimming pool. It's a safe place for families with children to enjoy for hours. There's also a reef, so you can encounter fish, making it a popular snorkeling spot.
Another key feature of Imgya Marine Garden is that you can enjoy it even if you don't swim. The rocky hills surrounding the cove have beautifully maintained walking paths, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely stroll. If you climb to the observation deck, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the East China Sea horizon.
Miyakojima Underwater Park
Miyakojima Underwater Park is a particularly popular spot for families with children. Even those who are not comfortable swimming or entering the sea can enjoy the ocean, from children to seniors.
Located about 25 minutes from Miyako Airport, just before Ikema Island on the north side of Miyako Island, this facility is situated underground. Descending a long staircase to the main underwater observation facility, you enter a world of the sea approximately 4 meters below the surface. The building is designed like an aquarium, and through 24 windows, you can see colorful fish and various marine creatures. Sometimes, you might even encounter octopuses, sea snakes, or sea turtles.
The facility also features exhibits about the marine ecosystem, and there are staff members who are happy to teach you various things, so you can learn about marine life in a fun and educational way!
- Address
- 2511-1 Karimata, Hirara, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 0980-74-6335
- Business hours
- 9: 00-17: 00 (last admission 16:45)
- Remarks
- Admission fees: Adults 1,000 yen / High school students 800 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 500 yen / Children under 6 years old free
＼Check out these related articles as well／
How to enjoy Miyakojima Underwater Park | A spot where you can explore a fantastical underwater world "while fully clothed". We'll give you a detailed look inside the park.
Shirou Farm go at cafe
Shirou Farm is a goat petting farm and aloe farm cafe. Located in the southern area of Miyako Island, the entrance fee is 300 yen for adults (as of June 2024) and allows visitors to interact with goats.
There is a fee, but you can have some valuable experiences such as feeding the goats milk and taking them for a walk! There is also something called a "goat pyramid" in the park, and strangely enough, the goats gather around this pyramid. You can't help but wait for the pyramid to be completed (lol).
In addition to goats, there are also dogs, rabbits, hamsters, and more. At the adjacent Shirou Farm Petting Ranch Goat Cafe, you can enjoy an aloe drink made with plenty of freshly grown aloe vera, so be sure to visit and relax.
- Address
- 214-1 Ueno Miyakuni, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 0980-79-7900
- Business hours
- 9:00-17:00
Blue Seal Painagama Store
Blue Seal Ice Cream, a popular ice cream shop born in America and raised in Okinawa, has a Painagama Beach location that's a really fun place with photogenic spots and a kids' play area!
Located just a 5-minute walk from Painagama Beach, it's the perfect place to take a break! The colorful array of flavors and the theme park-like interior are sure to get kids excited! Let them play to their heart's content in the kids' space!
- Address
- 654-23 Hirara Kugai, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture
- TEL
- 0980-79-0310
- Business hours
- 10: 00-20: 00
Useful tips for family trips to Miyako Island
To make your family trip to Miyako Island safer and more comfortable, let's review some preparations and precautions for traveling with children.
Don't forget to check the age restrictions for marine activities beforehand.
There are many attractive marine activities such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, SUP, and banana boating, but many have age restrictions, such as being 3 or 4 years old or older. To avoid being unable to participate or make a reservation at the last minute, be sure to check the minimum age requirement in advance.
Sunscreen is essential for both adults and children.
The UV rays are strong in Miyako Island throughout the year, so don't let your guard down even on cloudy days.
Children's and babies' skin is especially delicate and sensitive, so they can get burned even after spending a short time at the beach.
When going outside, be sure to use sunscreen, and when playing at the beach or pool, take precautions such as finding shade and avoiding the times when the sun is strongest.
It's better to make a reservation for dinner.
It's best to make dinner reservations in Miyako Island. Especially during the summer season, popular restaurants get fully booked. If you're traveling with children, it's recommended to reserve restaurants with tatami seating or hotel restaurants that provide high chairs and cutlery for children as early as possible.
Final thoughts
Miyako Island has many hotels with fun activities and excellent facilities, perfect for family trips! Do your research and preparations thoroughly, and enjoy your Miyako Island trip to the fullest! We hope this article will be of some help to moms and dads!
