{{Short description|Island within the Ryukyu Islands of Japan}} {{Redirect|Miyakojima}} {{Distinguish|Miyake-jima}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox islands | name = Miyako Island | native_name = {{transliteration|mvi|Myāku}} | native_name_link = Miyakoan language | image_name = Miyakojima sky view.jpg | image_caption = Aerial view of Miyako Island from northwest | image_size = | pushpin_map = Japan Okinawa Prefecture#Japan#East China Sea | pushpin_map_caption = Location of Miyako within Okinawa Prefecture##Location of Miyako within Japan##Location of Miyako Islands within the East China Sea | pushpin_relief = 1 | country = Japan | country_admin_divisions_title = Prefecture | country_admin_divisions = Okinawa Prefecture | location = Okinawa Prefecture | coordinates = {{Coord|24|46|N|125|19|E|type:isle}} | archipelago = Miyako Islands | waterbody = East China Sea | area_km2 = 158.87 | area_footnotes = <ref name="deptIslands">{{cite web |title=Remote island related materials (離 島 関 係 資 料) |url=https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/kikaku/chiikirito/ritoshinko/documents/h31itigatuban1syou.pdf |access-date=2020-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215124143/https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/kikaku/chiikirito/ritoshinko/documents/h31itigatuban1syou.pdf |archive-date=2020-02-15 |url-status=live}}</ref> | highest_mount = {{nihongo|Nakao|ナカオ嶺}} | elevation_m = 114.8 | population = 45,625 | population_as_of = 2015 census | population_footnotes = <ref name="deptIslands" /> | density_km2 = 275.4 | ethnic_groups = Ryukyuans, Japanese }}
{{nihongo|'''Miyako Island'''|宮古島|Miyako-jima|Miyako: {{nihongo3||ミャーク|Myaaku}}; Okinawan: {{nihongo3||ナーク|Naaku}}|lead=yes}} is the largest and the most populous island among the Miyako Islands of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Miyako Island is administered as part of the City of Miyako Island, which includes not only Miyako Island, but also five other islands.<ref name="e"/>
==Geography== Miyako Island lies approximately {{Convert|300.|km|mi}} southwest of Okinawa Island.<ref name="e"/> With an area of {{convert|158.70|km2|mi2|2|abbr=out}}, Miyako is the fourth-largest island in Okinawa Prefecture.<ref name="d"/> The island is triangular in shape and is composed of limestone.<ref name="e"/> Miyako Island is subject to drought and is frequently struck by typhoons.<ref name="e"/> thumb|left|150px|Miyako Island is the largest of the Miyako Islands
Miyako Island is well known for its beauty, particularly the {{Nihongo|Eastern Cape|東平安名岬|Higashi-hennazaki}}, a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty at the southeasternmost point of Miyako Island. It is considered by many as one of the most beautiful spots in Japan. Other notable locations include Yonaha Maehama beach, Sunayama beach, Painagama Beach and the sights on Irabu-jima. There are three islands nearby which are connected by bridges to Miyako Island, Irabujima (as of early 2015), {{Nihongo|Ikema Island|池間島|Ikema-jima}}, and {{Nihongo|Kurima Island|来間島|Kurima-jima}}.{{Cn|date=July 2021}}
Ikema Bridge connects Miyako Island and Ikema Island. It is {{convert|1,425|m}}-long and was completed in February 1992.<ref>[http://www.ikemajima.net/hasi.php "Ikema Ohashi"], ''池間ねっと'', 2018. Retrieved on 13 January 2018.</ref> Yonaha Maehama beach can be viewed from the opposite side on Kurima Island. The Miyako language is one of several Ryukyuan languages and is spoken there to some degree.{{Cn|date=July 2021}}
===Climate=== Miyako Island has a tropical rainforest climate (''Af'' according to the Köppen climate classification), because all twelve months have a mean temperature of at least {{Convert|18|C|F}}.
{{Weather box |width= auto |collapsed = Y |single line = Y |metric first = Y | location = Miyakojima (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1937−present) | Jan record high C = 27.0 | Feb record high C = 27.6 | Mar record high C = 28.6 | Apr record high C = 30.7 | May record high C = 33.3 | Jun record high C = 35.1 | Jul record high C = 35.3 | Aug record high C = 34.2 | Sep record high C = 34.2 | Oct record high C = 32.5 | Nov record high C = 30.9 | Dec record high C = 28.8 | Jan record low C = 6.9 | Feb record low C = 7.3 | Mar record low C = 8.6 | Apr record low C = 11.4 | May record low C = 15.2 | Jun record low C = 17.4 | Jul record low C = 21.4 | Aug record low C = 21.2 | Sep record low C = 19.7 | Oct record low C = 17.2 | Nov record low C = 12.9 | Dec record low C = 9.6 | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation mm = 138.8 | Feb precipitation mm = 119.8 | Mar precipitation mm = 138.7 | Apr precipitation mm = 148.7 | May precipitation mm = 222.3 | Jun precipitation mm = 194.7 | Jul precipitation mm = 151.6 | Aug precipitation mm = 257.4 | Sep precipitation mm = 259.3 | Oct precipitation mm = 157.9 | Nov precipitation mm = 139.8 | Dec precipitation mm = 147.2 | year precipitation mm = 2076.0 | Jan mean C = 18.3 | Feb mean C = 18.6 | Mar mean C = 20.1 | Apr mean C = 22.5 | May mean C = 25.0 | Jun mean C = 27.7 | Jul mean C = 28.9 | Aug mean C = 28.6 | Sep mean C = 27.6 | Oct mean C = 25.5 | Nov mean C = 23.1 | Dec mean C = 20.0 | year mean C = 23.8 | Jan high C = 20.6 | Feb high C = 21.1 | Mar high C = 22.8 | Apr high C = 25.1 | May high C = 27.7 | Jun high C = 30.3 | Jul high C = 31.7 | Aug high C = 31.3 | Sep high C = 30.1 | Oct high C = 27.8 | Nov high C = 25.3 | Dec high C = 22.2 | year high C = 26.4 | Jan low C = 16.3 | Feb low C = 16.6 | Mar low C = 17.9 | Apr low C = 20.4 | May low C = 23.0 | Jun low C = 25.7 | Jul low C = 26.8 | Aug low C = 26.5 | Sep low C = 25.6 | Oct low C = 23.8 | Nov low C = 21.3 | Dec low C = 18.2 | year low C = 21.9 | Jan humidity = 72 | Feb humidity = 74 | Mar humidity = 76 | Apr humidity = 79 | May humidity = 82 | Jun humidity = 84 | Jul humidity = 80 | Aug humidity = 81 | Sep humidity = 79 | Oct humidity = 75 | Nov humidity = 74 | Dec humidity = 71 | year humidity = 77 | Jan sun = 85.5 | Feb sun = 90.3 | Mar sun = 116.0 | Apr sun = 122.9 | May sun = 149.3 | Jun sun = 191.9 | Jul sun = 241.0 | Aug sun = 210.9 | Sep sun = 179.3 | Oct sun = 151.9 | Nov sun = 112.3 | Dec sun = 92.7 | year sun = 1743.9 | Jan snow cm = 0 | Feb snow cm = 0 | Mar snow cm = 0 | Apr snow cm = 0 | May snow cm = 0 | Jun snow cm = 0 | Jul snow cm = 0 | Aug snow cm = 0 | Sep snow cm = 0 | Oct snow cm = 0 | Nov snow cm = 0 | Dec snow cm = 0 | year snow cm = 0 | unit precipitation days = 0.5 mm | Jan precipitation days = 14.3 | Feb precipitation days = 12.0 | Mar precipitation days = 12.4 | Apr precipitation days = 11.3 | May precipitation days = 11.7 | Jun precipitation days = 11.0 | Jul precipitation days = 10.6 | Aug precipitation days = 14.0 | Sep precipitation days = 13.2 | Oct precipitation days = 11.2 | Nov precipitation days = 12.5 | Dec precipitation days = 13.9 | year precipitation days = 148.2 | source 1 = Japan Meteorological Agency<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/index.php?prec_no=91&block_no=47927&year=&month=&day=&view= |script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値） | publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency | access-date = May 19, 2021}}</ref> }}
thumb|Yonaha Maehama beach. thumb|Yonaha Maehama Beach view from Kurima Island. [[File:Miyako higashi hennazaki.JPG|thumb|Eastern Cape (Higashi-hennazaki).]]
==Culture== On Miyako Island, Miruku-potoke (Maitreya) is traditionally believed to be an ugly god who arrived from China to create humans, animals, and crops. The handsome god Saku-potoke (the Buddha) then challenges him to a flower contest and steals the flower while the other sleeps. Miruku-potoke is thus defeated and forced to return to China, which is why China is a prosperous country while Miyako is not. Nearly identical creation myths are found in Korea.<ref>{{cite journal| last= Waida| first = Manabu| title = The Flower Contest between Two Divine Rivals. A Study in Central and East Asian Mythology | journal = Anthropos | issn = 0257-9774 | volume = 86 | year= 1991 | issue = 1/3| pages = 89–90 | jstor = 40462392| url = http://www.jstor.org/stable/40462392 | access-date = June 10, 2020}}</ref>
Miyako hosts a unique festival, Paantu (パーントゥ), which occurs in the ninth month of the cultural (lunar) calendar. Three men dressed in grass, leaves and mud walk around town smearing mud on houses, cars and people. They carry sticks in one hand and an expressionless mask in the other. Legend holds that those who have been muddied by the Pantu will have a year of protection and good fortune. Owners of new homes will also invite Pantu to give a muddy 'blessing' to their homes.{{Cn|date=July 2021}}
Miyako has its own version of soba. Otōri is a custom of drinking awamori, a distilled beverage native to Okinawa, Japan. It is performed by people sitting (usually around a table). One offers a toast, drinks from a small glass, and then offers some to each person at the table making a round, and usually going to the right. When the toaster makes their way back to their spot, the person who passed the otori before pours them another glass. They then announce "tsunagimasu" and drink their second glass. After a brief interval, it is then the turn of the next person to pass the otori, which continues until the celebration is ended.{{Cn|date=July 2021}}
==Economy== Miyako is home to sugarcane cultivation, and produces brown sugar.<ref name="e"/> ''Miyako jōfu'' is a locally produced hand-woven textile made from ramie fiber. It was formerly known as ''Satsuma jōfu''. The textile traces its production to the Tensho period, 1573–92.<ref name="d"/><ref name="jobu"/><ref name="jofu-n"/>
A large tourism boom in Miyako, starting with locals and Taiwanese visitors in the early 2010s, has been steadily growing with the annual number of tourists reaching over 1 million in both 2018 and 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=入域観光客数について｜行政情報｜宮古島市|url=https://www.city.miyakojima.lg.jp/gyosei/toukei/kankouyaku.html|access-date=2021-01-11|website=www.city.miyakojima.lg.jp}}</ref> The city has been struggling to cope with cruise megaships from mainland China– currently, the central port in Hirara can only handle ships as large as 50,000 tons but port officials hope to service ships as large as 200,000 tons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/12/09/national/cruise-liner-influx-overwhelming-miyakojimas-economy/#.WgOVY9-YWwE|title=Cruise liner influx overwhelming Miyakojima's economy|date=9 December 2016}}</ref> The effects of this growing tourist industry may change the character of the island as its population is small and rural.{{Cn|date=July 2021}}
==Defense== The Miyako Strait has strategic significance. Chinese warships' passage through the straits is monitored by Japanese forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/12/18/national/china-aircraft-carrier-miyako/|title=Chinese aircraft carrier sails near Okinawa islands|newspaper=Japan Times|date=December 18, 2021}}</ref>
In late April 2015, it was confirmed that the Japanese Ministry of Defense was in advanced planning regarding the permanent deployment of a GSDF ''security unit'' to Miyako Island, to begin sometime in fiscal year 2016. This is part of ongoing efforts to improve the defenses of the Nansei Islands. A GSDF security unit is a battalion sized force, of up to 500 personnel, whose role on Miyako Island will include providing the initial response to large-scale disasters in the area as well as acting as a rapid response force to counterattacks on remote islands within its area of responsibility.<ref name=Yomiuri>{{cite news |title=GSDF unit to deploy on Miyakojima |newspaper=The Yomiuri Shimbun |date=27 April 2015 |access-date=27 April 2015 |url=http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002108747 |archive-date=20 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120200444/https://the-japan-news.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=AJW>{{cite news |title=GSDF may permanently station hundreds of troops on Okinawan island |newspaper=The Asahi Shimbun |date=27 April 2015 |access-date=29 April 2015 |url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/politics/AJ201504270028 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053122/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/politics/AJ201504270028 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The Miyako Island security unit's exact composition is unclear as of April 2015, though given its known taskings, it is likely that the TOE will include both the Komatsu LAV and soft skinned vehicles with all terrain capability.{{Cn|date=July 2021}}
Consideration is also currently being given to deploying GSDF units equipped with anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles to the island.<ref name=Yomiuri/><ref name=AJW/>
Tokyo has currently earmarked ¥21.2 billion yen ($205 million USD) in FY2021 to build new Japan Coast Guard patrol boats and helicopters for the region, with plans to assign 22 ships of over 1,000 tons in the region by 2024. Miyako Island's Coast Guard station is home to 9 ''Shimoji-class'' small patrol vessels and a ''Tokara-class'' medium patrol vessel.<ref name="CCG Confrontation">{{cite news |last1=Saitō |first1=Katsuhisa |title=The Senkaku Confrontation: Japan's Coast Guard Faces Chinese "Patrol Ships" |url=https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00698/ |access-date=14 June 2021 |publisher=Nippon Communications Foundation |date=26 April 2021}}</ref>
Positioned in between the larger commercial ports of Ishigaki and Naha, Coast Guard facilities on Miyako's neighbor islands can provide 3 ''Tsugarus'', a ''Kunigami'', and a ''Hateruma'' class patrol vessel based at the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters in Naha and 11 ''Kunigami-class patrol vessels'' and 2 ''Hateruma-class patrol vessels'' homeported at Ishigaki should the need arise. Along with facilities for housing up to 600 crew, Ishigaki is now JCG's largest base, surpassing even that of Yokohama.<ref name="Senkaku bulk">{{cite news |last1=Kanaya |first1=Shohei |title=Japan to bulk up Senkaku patrols as more Chinese ships enter area |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Japan-to-bulk-up-Senkaku-patrols-as-more-Chinese-ships-enter-area |access-date=27 June 2021 |publisher=Nikkei, Inc. |date=23 December 2020}}</ref>
==Points of interest== * Miyakojima City Tropical Plant Garden * Japan Airlines maintains a ticketing office on Miyako Island. It is only for domestic flights.<ref>"[http://www.jal.co.jp/en/information/dom/branch/ JAL Group Offices Information]." Japan Airlines. Retrieved on 22 July 2011. "MIYAKO Only Domestic Ticketing Available Address 223 Nishizato Hirara Miyako City, 906-0012" [http://www.jal.co.jp/en/information/branch/s_d/s_miyako.html Map]</ref> * Miyakojima {{convert|100|km|0|abbr=on}} Ultramarathon.<ref>[http://www.city.miyakojima.lg.jp/kanko/sportevent/100marathon.html 宮古島100kmワイドーマラソン ＜1月＞] Retrieved 20 September 2015 {{in lang|ja}}</ref> * Higashi-hennazaki Eastern Cape of Miyako Island {{clear}}
===Transportation=== ====Airlines==== *Miyako Airport
====Lanes==== *Port of Hirara *Port of Shimairi - For Ōgami-jima
====Buses==== *Miyako Kyoei Bus *Yachiyo Bus *Kyowa Bus *Chuo Kotsu - For Shimojijima Airport in Shimoji-jima
====Trains==== *The only railway on this island is operated in Shigira Resort, and conformed as a Chairlift, which connects the westernmost with the southernmost points of railway in Japan. **Stations : '''Shigira-ue''' - the westernmost railway station in Japan. '''Shigira-shita''' - the southernmost railway station in Japan.
==See also== {{Portal|Japan|Geography|Islands}} * Paantu * Miyako Airport * MIM-104F (PAC-3) * Type 3 Chū-SAM
==References== {{reflist|2|refs=
<ref name="d">{{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = Dijitaru Daijisen | title = 宮古島 | url = http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ | access-date = 14 December 2012 | year = 2012 | publisher = Shogakukan | location = Tokyo | language = ja | trans-title = Miyako-jima | oclc = 56431036 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ | archive-date = 25 August 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
<ref name="e">{{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = Encyclopedia of Japan | title = Miyakojima | url = http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ | access-date = 18 December 2012 | year = 2012 | publisher = Shogakukan | location = Tokyo | oclc = 56431036 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ | archive-date = 25 August 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
<ref name="jobu">{{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = Dijitaru Daijisen | title = 宮古上布 | url = http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ | access-date = 14 December 2012 | year = 2012 | publisher = Shogakukan | location = Tokyo | language = ja | trans-title = Miyako jōfu | oclc = 56431036 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ | archive-date = 25 August 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
<ref name="jofu-n">{{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) | title = 宮古上布 | url = http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ | access-date = 14 December 2012 | year = 2012 | publisher = Shogakukan | location = Tokyo | language = ja | trans-title = Miyako jōfu | oclc = 153301537 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ | archive-date = 25 August 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} {{Wikivoyage|Miyako Islands}} *[http://miyakojima.net/ Miyako Island Website (Japanese)] *[http://www.churashima.net/shima/miyako/pantoo/ Pantu in Japanese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205012652/http://www.churashima.net/shima/miyako/pantoo/ |date=5 February 2012 }} *[http://wlcm.net/MarkWisniewski/miyakofolklore.pdf WLCM.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226030015/http://wlcm.net/MarkWisniewski/miyakofolklore.pdf |date=26 February 2012 }}, Miyako Folklore English translation by Mark Wisniewski *[http://wlcm.net/MarkWisniewski/Natural%20Science%20Section.pdf WLMC.net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226030019/http://wlcm.net/MarkWisniewski/Natural%20Science%20Section.pdf |date=26 February 2012 }}, Miyako Natural Science English translation by Mark Wisniewski
{{Ryukyu Islands}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Miyako Jima}} Category:Islands of Okinawa Prefecture Category:Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Category:Miyakojima, Okinawa