Japan Guide
Okinawa
The Miyako Islands
There's a gap of nearly 300km between Okinawa-Hontō and the next link in the chain, the eight MIYAKO ISLANDS centred around Miyako-jima, the largest and most interesting of the group. In late April, you'll find Miyako swarming with athletes competing in the All-Japan Triathlon, a combination of swimming, cycling and running, and in July the Miyako Matsuri, the island's main festival, runs for three days. These aside, the prime attractions are pretty coastal scenery, quiet beaches and water sports. Anyone afraid of snakes will be glad to hear that the Miyako Islands are the only ones in Okinawa free from habu – the snakes were all wiped out in prehistoric times when the oceans engulfed the low-lying land. Having said all this,