Arrival, Information and Getting Around
There are direct flights to Miyako from Tokyo, Osaka's Kansai International Airport and Fukuoka, though the major jumping-off point is Naha . Japan Transocean Air (JTA; tel 0120-255971) and Air Nippon (ANK; tel 0120-029222) both have several departures daily from Naha (Y12,400), while JTA also flies between Miyako and Ishigaki (Y8250). A taxi into town from the airport, some 3km from central Hirara, costs about Y1300 (there are no buses), but if you arrange motorbike or scooter hire at the airport, the agents will ferry you to your hotel in Hirara for free first before you pick up your chosen mode of transport. The reliable local operator, Okinawa Rent-a-car (tel 09807/3-2774), Nippon (tel 09807/2-0919) or Toyota Rent-a-car (tel 09807/2-0100) offer both bikes and cars - expect to pay around Y4000 per day for a bike, including insurance, and Y5500 for a car. Arimura Sangyo (tel 098/860-1980) and RKK Line (tel 098/868-1126) between them run two to three ferries a week from Naha's Shin-ko or Naha Port to Miyako (from Y3810 one way; 11hr). Note that these ferries sail overnight and that you need to reserve at least two weeks in advance in July and August. On the fourth floor of Hirara's ferry terminal you'll find the tourist information office (Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-noon; tel 09807/3-1881), where you can pick up an English pamphlet and map of the island. There's also a helpful information desk (daily except Tues 9am-5.30pm; tel 09807/2-0899) at the airport. Irregular buses for the north of the island depart from Yachiyo terminal, a few blocks north  © 2003 by Rough Guides Ltd. as trustee for its Authors. Published by Rough Guides. All rights reserved. Rough Guides name is a trademark of Rough Guides Ltd. Buy the book here!
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of the central post office, while buses south to Maehama and Higashi Henna-zaki leave from Miyako Kyoei terminal on Makuramu-dori, around 1km east of the post office. If you want to rent a bicycle , head to Ryokan Tsurumi-so which charges Y500 for a day, and Miyako Taxi (tel 09807/2-4123) has a number of English-speaking drivers. Most hotels will be able to hook you up with a dive operator .
Your Tips For Miyako-jima
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