Miyakejima, Japan

Miyake-jima is an island in the Izu group, southeast of Honshū, Japan. It is located 180 km south of Tokyo and forms part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Miyake-jima is famous for its traditional taiko performances, known as kamitsuki kiyari taiko, as well as being home to the rare endemic Izu Thrush.

The island is home to an unusually rich flora and fauna with several rare species of birds and animals, although its natural habitats are constantly under threat from human and volcanic activity. Underwater, the island is valued by divers for its coral reefs and marine fauna (including the dolphin population outside nearby Mikura-jima).

Things to See & Do

* The Akakkoko-kan （Miyake-Island-Nature-Fureai-Center
* Furusato Taiken Village
* Swimming with dolphins
* Scuba diving
* Fishing

General information

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Yen (JPY)
Language – Japanese
Population – 2,406 approx
Land Area – 55.50 km2
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus hours nine hours
International Country Telephone Code – 81

Port Location – There are ports located at Miike harbor, Sabigahama harbor and Igaya harbor.

Travel Links – There are flights connecting Miyakejima Airport and Haneda Airport with an approximate flying time of 50 minutes. There are also two helicopter flights operated by Tokyo Island Shuttle which originate in Aogashima and Izu Ōshima and fly to Toshima, Miyake-jima, Mikura-jima, Hachijō-jima and Aogashima.

The island is accessible by over-night ferry, the Sarubia Maru or the Camellia, which is operated by Tōkai Kisen. The ferry departs from Takeshiba Sanbashi Pier, near Hamamatsuchō, Tokyo at 22:30 and arrives at Miyakejima at 5:00.