Hirara Port is one of the main ports on Miyakojima Island in Okinawa Prefecture. Located near the island’s city center, it serves as a base for visiting Miyakojima Island’s stunning seas and resort areas.

The port boasts a very convenient location, as it is close to a tourist information center and to the city center. However, when international cruise ships arrive in port, the Hirara Marine Terminal building nearby serves as a temporary immigration office.
Conversely, the terminal faces challenges due to the lack of a large passenger terminal building and passenger waiting facilities. When international cruise ships arrive in port, thousands of tourists disembark at once, creating temporary congestion near taxis and sightseeing buses.

Support system for tourists
When cruise ships dock, staff members are stationed at the Hirara Marine Terminal nearby and provide sightseeing information to tourists. Maps of Miyakojima Island, multilingual tourist information, and brochures for hotels, rental cars, and activities are also available inside the facility.

Miyakojima Island is a charming island surrounded by beautiful seas. However, due to its large size and circumference of about 100 km, it is essential to consider transportation options within the island.

Walking and using public transportation on the island
From Hirara Port or the Marine Terminal, it takes about 15 minutes on foot to reach Miyakojima Island’s city center. Walking is feasible for a short distance, but Miyakojima Island lacks railways, so taxis, city buses, and rental cars are the main means of transportation.
However, given Miyakojima’s vast size and infrequent bus service, it is essential to thoroughly consider transportation options when planning your trip.

Noteworthy: Miyako Island Loop Bus trial service and mobile tickets for international visitors
To improve convenience for visitors on the island, particularly cruise ship passengers, the Miyako Island Loop Bus is undergoing a trial run for a limited period. This bus serves as a crucial means of transportation for efficiently touring Miyakojima Island’s major sightseeing spots.
Until February 28, 2026, the trial service primarily follows a loop route in the city, connecting locations near Hirara Port, such as the Matida Civic Theater and Pina Gama Beach, along with major department stores, the city hall, and Miyako Airport. A cost-effective ticket offering unlimited rides for 1,500 yen per day is available for purchase on the bus, at major bus offices, and online. Please check the website for detailed instructions on using the service.

You should be aware of the events happening and the crowd levels in Miyakojima Island when planning your trip to ensure a comfortable journey.

Peak seasons: Summer vacation and Obon
Many tourists visit Miyakojima Island year-round, but August is the peak season with the highest number of visitors annually. Crowd levels are considered extremely high in mid-August, when summer vacation and Obon holidays (around August 13-16) overlap. This is when the airport, hotels, popular sightseeing spots, and restaurants tend to be very crowded and when travel costs surge.
To avoid peak crowds, you should visit during weekdays in early or late August.
During busy periods, car rental reservations, which are essential in Miyakojima Island, and popular activity tours fill up quickly, so we recommend booking as early as possible.

Typhoon season occurs from July to October and brings unpredictable weather. Typhoons particularly approach the island from August to September. Those sudden weather changes can disrupt sightseeing plans, so those traveling to Miyakojima Island from July to September should keep in mind that approaching typhoons may cause flight and ferry cancellations. Certain tourist facilities may also close temporarily, and aquatic activities may be canceled. We recommend frequently checking the latest weather information when traveling and confirming hotel and airline ticket cancellation policies in case of any cancellations.
To avoid any typhoons, we recommend visiting in early to mid-May and November.

Miyakojima Island is a charming travel destination blessed with the world-renowned Miyako Blue Sea, a warm climate, and abundant nature.
When visiting the island by cruise ship, please keep in mind that congestion may occur at Hirara Port. We recommend using public transportation like the Miyako Island Loop Bus to efficiently and conveniently tour the island’s attractions.
When choosing which season you will be traveling to Miyakojima Island, please compare the summer months, which have the best weather, to autumn, which is comfortable and relatively less crowded. Booking transportation options and accommodations early is the key to getting the best experience on Miyakojima Island. Please use this guide to enjoy a memorable journey on the beautiful Miyakojima Island.