Miyakojima Travel Guide 2026: Weather, Car Rental, Snorkeling
Dreaming of a tropical getaway? Explore Miyakojima, Japan's hidden gem! Find out why it's called 'the Maldives of Japan' and get practical tips for your 2026 trip.
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Dreaming of a tropical getaway? Explore Miyakojima, Japan's hidden gem! Find out why it's called 'the Maldives of Japan' and get practical tips for your 2026 trip.
"The Maldives in 2 Hours": Your Guide to Miyakojima, Japan,
My July Trip Review — From Weather to Rental Cars and Snorkeling!
Looking for an amazing summer travel destination in Japan?
Then Miyakojima is definitely worth a look.
Honestly, it's incredibly hot, but once you go,
you'll instantly understand why people call it "The Maldives in 2 Hours."
It's that beautiful,
and it's the kind of place that makes you book a flight back every year.
Imagine driving across Irabu Bridge, stretching over emerald waters,
seeing sea turtles swimming right before your eyes,
and a night sky absolutely filled with stars.
This time, based on my personal trip last July,
I'll put together some information on Miyakojima's weather, rental cars, attractions,
snorkeling, and more.
1. Why is Miyakojima called "The Maldives in 2 Hours"?
Honestly, at first, I thought it was just an SNS illusion
and didn't have high expectations.
But as soon as I arrived in Miyakojima,
the first thing that caught my eye was the ocean.
Clear, transparent, emerald-colored water
enveloped the entire island,
and as I drove along Irabu Bridge,
the scenery outside the window felt just like being in an exotic resort.
Seriously, the feeling of driving over an endless expanse of ocean
is an experience that photos simply cannot capture, if you know what I mean?
2. Miyakojima Weather in July: Was it Hotter Than Expected?
Honestly, while the scenery is important,
the weather matters too, right?
While I recommend it as a July travel destination in Japan,
to put it simply, it's very hot and humid.
In Miyakojima in July, the midday sun is strong,
and UV radiation is considerable.
Nevertheless, I found the July weather more
bearable than I expected, and that's
because I spent a lot of time by the sea.
Strong sea breezes blow everywhere, and jumping
into the ocean stretching before my eyes made it
surprisingly refreshing and enjoyable.
July Packing Checklist |
Sunscreen, Sunglasses |
Hat, UV Umbrella |
Rash guard, Waterproof phone case, Aqua shoes |
Portable fan |
Power bank |
Among these, make sure to pack plenty of
water play items :)
Because the underwater world is absolutely stunning.
3. Ohbaksa Tour Rental Car: A Must-Have in Miyakojima
For this wonderful trip to Miyakojima,
I used an Ohbaksa Tour rental car.
Miyakojima is definitely not a destination with
convenient public transportation like Osaka or Tokyo.
Famous attractions and beaches are scattered all over
the island, so a rental car was practically essential
for getting around freely.
(Even public transportation like buses and subways is incredibly inconvenient...)
Ohbaksa Tour is a platform where you can book not only rental cars
but also hotels, tours, and activities, so it was incredibly useful
when planning my Miyakojima trip.
In fact, I've used it many times in other regions too, which
is why Ohbaksa Tour was my go-to for Miyakojima rental cars.
✅ Korean customer service 365 days a year |
✅ Option to choose daily or hourly rates |
✅ Diverse self-damage insurance options |
✅ Car delivery & pickup available in the city |
✅ Wide range of choices from compact cars to small cars and vans |
Arriving in Miyakojima, taking the shuttle to the office, picking
up the car, and starting the trip—it's such an exciting moment!
The ocean views seen while crossing Irabu Bridge and Kurima Bridge
felt like more than just a means of transportation; they enhanced
the quality of the trip itself.
In fact, the time spent driving around is even more memorable than
the attractions themselves—it was truly wonderful.
Honestly, July and August are peak seasons, perfect for water activities
despite the intense heat, so rental car bookings can fill up quickly.
If your schedule is set, book as soon as possible!
4. The Highlight of This Trip: Snorkeling with Sea Turtles
Even though I was zipping around everywhere in our rental car,
if I had to pick just one most memorable moment
from this trip, it would be snorkeling.
Honestly, I used to think I didn't really like water activities,
but after snorkeling in Japan, I completely changed my mind!
At first, I was quite skeptical, thinking, "Can we really see sea turtles?"
But shortly after getting into the water,
sea turtles were swimming right before my eyes!
Watching them glide peacefully through the coral reefs
and occasionally swim towards me, as if putting on a show, was just wonderful.
It's truly a place popular among divers, known as a sanctuary,
even before direct flights became available.
It was a moment where I instantly understood why.
Seriously, if you love water activities (or even if you don't),
please, please add snorkeling to your itinerary!
5. Miyakojima Attractions: Even More Beautiful in Person Than in Photos
I went there just thinking about the ocean,
but there was surprisingly a lot to see.
Let me recommend a few places.
Irabu Bridge
This is an absolutely perfect course for a scenic drive.
It's a long bridge connecting Miyako Island and Irabu Island,
offering stunning ocean views on both sides.
Sunayama Beach
This is where white sands meet an emerald sea,
creating a truly impressive landscape.
Higashi-Hennazaki Cape
With an observatory situated on high ground,
you can take in panoramic views of the sea
and the island all at once.
17END
This is a coastline that meets the Shimojishima runway,
and if your timing is just right,
you can enjoy watching planes land and take off.
6. Miyakojima at Night: More Memorable Than Expected
While the ocean is the star during the day,
at night, the twinkling stars in the sky take center stage.
On my last day, I booked a guesthouse to truly soak in the local vibe,
and the stars I saw from the rooftop are still unforgettable.
I even made friends with some Japanese travelers there,
and I still remember chatting and connecting over our favorite J-POP and K-POP songs.
7. Restaurant Reservations Were Truly Important
So far, I've shared some incredible tourist spots and valuable tips.
But here's a crucial heads-up: July is Miyakojima's absolute peak season!
This means if you try to visit popular restaurants without a reservation,
waiting isn't even an option – you simply won't be able to get in.
I personally got turned away from six places before finally managing to eat,
so if you want to enjoy your meals on time, reservations are absolutely essential.
8. Wrapping Up
It's not just a beautiful place;
it's somewhere that allowed for deep relaxation and healing,
a place where you can look back on your cherished memories for years to come.
When I was running hard and felt utterly exhausted,
and wanted to give up on everything, I came here
and regained my energy and the strength to keep going.
While it's great to visit popular tourist spots,
and just as you seek out a fragrance with a lingering dry-down,
make sure you don't miss the Maldives of Japan – a place where you can cherish those memories long after your trip.
‼️ One important note: renting a car in Miyakojima isn't an option;
it's an absolute must! If you want to make the most of your trip, book it fast ‼️
For more Miyakojima travel information,
please refer to the link below :)
July and August are the peak seasons for water activities in Miyakojima, so rental cars can be booked up quickly. Ohbaksa Tour offers 365-day Korean language support, daily or hourly rates, various self-damage insurance options, and rental car search and booking are available from ~$17.
In July, Miyakojima is very hot and humid during the day, with strong sunlight and UV rays. It's especially recommended to pack plenty of water play items such as sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, parasols/umbrellas, rash guards, waterproof packs, aqua shoes, portable fans, and power banks.
July is a representative peak season in Miyakojima, so reservations are essential for popular restaurants. If you visit without a reservation, you may face long waits or even be unable to enter, so it's important to book in advance if you wish to dine out.
The author initially didn't enjoy water activities, but was deeply moved when a sea turtle swam right before their eyes among the coral reefs while snorkeling. They mentioned that the sight of the turtle approaching as if giving "fan service" was peaceful and wonderful.
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