Miyako-jima, Japan

Tuesday, 26 Mar 2019 – We docked at Miyako-jima, Japan, at 10:00 AM.  Initially, we had not booked an excursion because the older excursion brochures did not include excursions for this port.  But yesterday, we booked a 3.25-hour excursion, “Miyako-Jima Panoramic Drive.”  After breakfast, we stood in line for about 45 minutes in the Horizons for Japan’s Mandatory Guest Inspection.  The line zigzagged through rows of chairs, many of which Sally used as seats at every opportunity.  We first passed a Quarantine Officer who measured our body temperatures with what appeared to be a camera.  And finally, we each met with an Immigrations Officer, who took our fingerprints and photographs.

Japan is an island country in East Asia.  Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies off the eastern coast of the Asian continent and stretches from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea in the south.  It is a stratovolcanic archipelago consisting of about 6,852 islands.  Its economy is the world's third-largest by nominal GDP and the fourth-largest by purchasing power parity.  The population of 127 million is the world's tenth largest and enjoys the highest life expectancy and third lowest infant mortality rate in the world, but is now experiencing issues due to an aging population and low birthrate.

Miyako-jima lies approximately 190 mi southwest of Okinawa Island and 250 mi east of Taipei, Taiwan.  Miyako is the fourth-largest island in Okinawa Prefecture.   The island is triangular in shape with an area of 61.27 sq mi and is composed of limestone.  Miyako-jima is subject to drought and is frequently struck by typhoons.  Miyako-jima is well known for its beauty and is considered by many as one of the most beautiful spots in Japan. There are three islands nearby which are connected by bridges to Miyako-jima, Irabujima, Ikema Island, and Kurima Island.

            We met for our excursion in the Insignia Lounge at 12:20 PM.  After boarding the bus, Jesse realized that he had forgotten his camera!  So photos for today would be taken with our I-Phone.  According to the excursion brochure, we would be crossing several modern bridges that connect the islands of the Miyako Island Chain, pausing for photos and to enjoy the stunning scenery.

Local Park

            Our tour guide’s nickname was “I,” and our driver was Yoki.  After departing from the pier, we drove toward the picturesque northern tip of Miyakojima Island, where crossed the lengthy Ikema Ohashi Bridge that connects Miyakojima with Ikema Island.  There was a beach below the bridge which involved descending numerous steps.  We decided to settle for the distant photos.   Next, we drove to the scenic southwestern portion of Miyakojima Island, where we made a restroom stop at a playground and watched boys playing baseball.  We crossed the Kurima Bridge for the ultimate view of the rocky coastline and the shimmering sea, which seemed to change colors as we passed over it.  Kurima Island is largely agricultural with the main crops being sugar cane and leaf tobacco.  Lastly, we crossed the Irabu Ohashi Bridge.  Constructed in 2015, it is Japan’s longest toll-free bridge and a marvel of engineering with several unusual dips as it stretches across the sea.  In truth, we both thought today’s tour was rather boring.  Sally actually napped a little, and Jesse a lot.

            We returned to the ship a little after 4:00 PM; having missed lunch, we attended an afternoon tea instead.  This time, Sally ate a little more than the first time, and Jesse stuffed himself with desserts again.

Since we would be disembarking the ship on 31 Mar 2019, Jesse became concerned that we had not heard anything about the procedures.  Upon checking with the Insignia reception desk, we discovered that we were not booked on a transfer from the ship to the airport!  Although we had missed the deadline for reservations, we were allowed to purchase the transfers.  Another disaster averted!  Before dinner, we danced for 45 minutes.