Congratulations: If you’ve even started ponder the Ishigaki vs Miyakojima debate, you’ve gotten farther than most prospective travelers to Okinawa. In many cases, even making it the main island is a heavy lift.
Of course, as wonderful as a trip to said main island is, it is only you start to explore Okinawa off the beaten…ferry route that you get a true sense of how special the archipelago is. And I’m not just talking about how much better Okinawan beaches are than you’re probably expecting!
On the other hand, I will be up-front that whether you visit Miyako island or Ishigaki, you need to be much more mindful than you would be if you were simply taking day trips from Naha City. But we’ll get to those details later!
Why Okinawa is So Exciting for Beach Lovers
Whether you visit Ishigaki or Miyakojima, you’re in for a treat: Okinawa is home to the best beaches not only in Japan, but in Asia, and some of the best ones in the entire world. This is due to a number of factors, including how shallow and calm the water tends to be, as well as the fact that the white sand is largely made of coral, which means that even when it gets stirred up, it does not cause the water to be cloudy.
Now, it’s not all great news. The most beautiful beach in Okinawa (Ishigaki’s Kabira Bay) is actually completely off-limits to swimmers in order to protect its delicate ecosystem; the only way to enjoy it is to admire it from the shore, or to take a glass-bottom boat tour. Likewise, although both Miyako island and Okinawa can be warm throughout the year, lifeguard-protect swimming it generally only available from about April until October.
Ways to Compare Ishigaki with Miyakojima
Beaches
The good news? If you visit Ishigaki, you’re guaranteed to see the beach that is often named Japan’s best, i.e. Kabira Bay. The bad news? Unlike many other excellent beaches on the island, it isn’t open for swimming, ostensibly to protect its coral reef ecosystem. Miyakojima, in my opinion, has more excellent beaches that are easy to visit, including Yonaha Beach and Sunayama Beach.
Getting there and around
Both Ishigaki and Miyakojima have nonstop flights not only from Okinawa’s main island, but also from major airports in Tokyo (HND) and Osaka (KIX). In terms of getting around, you realistically need to rent a car on both islands, though this in more useful on Miyakojima; it’s connected via bridges (which are themselves an attraction) to all its peripheral islands. To get off Ishigaki, meanwhile, you must take a passenger-only ferry.
Cuisine
Both of these islands have excellent food, though I wouldn’t characterize either as a culinary hot spot. If I did, it would probably be Ishigaki, which is ostensibly a hub of Yaeyama cuisine, with Yaeyama-style soba being the most popular example. The most delightful meal I had on Miyako island, meanwhile, was at a Hawaiian-inspired shrimp truck; both islands are home to pan-Okinawan delights, including iconic Blue Seal Ice Cream.
Hotels and resorts
Whether you stay on Miyakojima or Ishigaki, you can find all manner of places to stay. These range from beach resorts like Blue Ocean Hotel & Resort Miyakojima or the ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort, to simple city hotels such as Hotel Pink Hibiscus Miyako and Hotel Patina Ishigakijima. Do note that to echo a section above, the best way to enjoy flexibility in terms of where to stay is to make sure to rent a car. Otherwise, you’ll be at the mercy of convenience to very limited bus routes.
Day trips and excursions
The most popular day trip from Ishigaki is the primitive island of Taketomi, which is a short ferry ride (but a whole world) away. There are very few cars on the island; the most popular way for tourists to get around (apart from alking, and limited shuttle bus service) is to ride in a buffalo-drawn carriage. From Miyakojima, meanwhile, travelers usually take “day trips” over bridges to smaller islands like Irabu and Ikema.
Other Destinations in Okinawa (and Beyond)
Okinawa is the best single Japanese prefecture for beaches, but it’s not the only place you can find islands that seem like they couldn’t possibly be part of Japan. Kagoshima prefecture in particular is a strong second-place contender. Viral Yoron island is so beautiful that people often confuse it for Okinawa; the Amami islands (and, in particular, Amami Oshima) islands aren’t as postcard-perfect, but as still compelling.
Beyond the Miyakojima vs Ishigaki debate, the Japanese mainland has some amazing beaches as well. I’m thinking first and foremost about Shirahama Beach in Shimoda (which is probably the best beach near Tokyo) and also about Shirarahama Beach in Wayayama, which has a different name from the one in Shimoda (see the extra “Ra”?), in spite of seeming almost the same. This is to say nothing of all Japan’s other outlying islands.
Other FAQ About Miyakojima and Ishigaki
Which is better, Ishigaki or Miyakojima?
Ishigaki is smaller than Miyako (well, the main island at least—this doesn’t include nearby Taketomi) and as a result, is easier to navigate quickly; it’s also home to Kabira Bay, which many people rank as the best beach in Japan. Miyakojima, by contrast, is virally famous for its gorgeous, bright “Miyako Blue” waters, and for the bridges that connect its many islands.
Does Ishigaki or Miyakojima have better beaches?
Both Ishigaki and Miyako islands have amazing beaches—no matter which one you choose, you’re in for some truly postcard-perfect swims. However, while Ishigaki’s famous Kabira Bay is off-limits to swimmers due to the delicate ecosystem it supports, you can swim most anywhere on any of Miyako’s islands.
How do I get from Ishigaki to Miyakojima?
In the past, there were ferries that could take you between Ishigaki and Miyako islands in about 6-7 hours. These days, however, a 30-45 minute direct flight is the only realistic way. Absent this (in other words, if prices or high or you can’t get a seat), you can connect via Okinawa’s main island.
The Bottom Line
When comparing Ishigaki vs Miyakojima, rest assured: There is no “wrong” answer. Okinawa is paradise no matter where in the archipelago you venture—it’s just a matter of degree and direction, like different colors of hibiscus or palm frond shapes. The issue is in the details. While both of these islands really require a rental car to enjoy to the fullest extent, I’d argue that Ishigaki requires a bit more forethought, since many excursions you can take from there (namely, Taketomi) require a subsequent ferry ride; on Miyako island, you can drive everywhere on account of its iconic bridge. Need personalized help planning your island adventure? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
