Q. How long does it take to drive around Miyako island?

A. It's possible to drive around the whole island in an hour. You can also find bicycles and scooters for rent.

Q. Which island is Miyako island connected to by a bridge ?

A. There are three islands connected to Miyako Island by bridge, Irabu and Shimojiji to the west and Ikema to the north. Each boasts miles of white sandy beaches and clear blue water.

Q. I would like to visit somewhere besides beaches.

A. In the center of Hirara near the port, you'll find the Tuyumya Grave. This is the shrine of Nakasone Tuyumya, the ruler of Miyako in the 16th century. There is a tropical botanical garden in Hirara with more than 1,600 varieties of plants and trees. It's a great place to spend a relaxing hour and enjoy the refreshments on offer.

Q. Please tell me about Nintozei-ishi.

A. The Nintozei-ishi, the Tax Stone. It stands 1.4 meters tall and in ancient times it was used by the tax collector. If you were taller than the stone, you were old enough to pay tax.

Q. What is the traditional way to eat Sashimi?

A. The seafood of Miyako Island is extremely famous, including its sashimi. The island's tradition is to eat sashimi with hot "island pepper" in the soy sauce.

Q. What is the stunning blue of the ocean called?

A. The stunning blue of the ocean around these islands is so distinctive it has its own shade named for it—Kerama blue. Most of the Kerama Islands are uninhabited.

Q. I heard there are many attractive leisure points on Tokashiki island.

A. There are many excellent beaches on the island, but these two have the best snorkeling locations, as well as the best facilities for tourists. The marine life here is exceptional, and the waters are home to a large number of sea turtles.

Q. When and Where can we see whales?

A. Between January and March, some other welcome guests arrive in the waters around the Kerama Islands—humpback whales. The whales feed in the waters of Alaska for most of the year and then swim down to the Kerama Islands to give birth and raise their calves in the warm waters..

LESSON-A