sports_and_leisuretime

the ocean

Miyakojima is said to have the most beautiful beaches in all of Japan. Thus it features a wide variety of marine sports, such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, fishing, kayaking, jetskiing and more.

DIVING, SNORKELING AND Kayaking

Diving and Snorkeling are without a doubt the most popular activities on the Miyako islands. Most of the diving spots can be found on the western side of Irabu and Shimoji, amongst them the so called "Toriike", two ponds that are connected via tunnels with the open sea. There is also the W-Ark, two W-shaped arks at five and sixteen meter depths. Also worth a diving trip is the Yebiji Reef north of the island of Ikema. Other spots can be found east and south of Miyakojima island.

Here is a small selection of the many diving schools and watersports services on the island, as well as important emergancy procedures in case of accidents in the sea or after contact with poisonous animals.

A CHOICE OF DIVINGSCHOOLS

	Diving	Snorkeling	Canoe/ Kayak	Jetski	Other services	English speaking staff
Marine Lodge Marea Shimoji, Yonaha 847-3 0980-76-3850	O	O	O		at request	-
Carte Marine Hirara, Aza-Maezato 317-3 0980-75-2939	O	O			PADI-Diving license	yes
Blue Space Hirara, Aza-Nishizato 843-2 0980-75-3306	O	O			Diving equipment renting	yes, some
Marine Club Shimoji, Yonaha 1382-12 0980-76-3373	O	O	O	O	Para-sailing, fishing, Wakeboarding	-
Free Free Gusukube, Bora 540-12 0980-74-4533	O	O			PADI-Diving courses	-
Gara Hirara, Aza-Nishizato 237 0980-73-1744	O	O			Fishing, Boatcharter	-
Fish a go go Hirara, Nishizato 10-3-2F Higashi 0980-73-6266	O				Equipment rental	-
Good Fellas Club Hirara, Kugai 869-1 0980-73-5483	O	O				-
Aqua Base Hirara, Ikema 83-1 0980-75-2377	O	O				yes, some
Big Wave Gusukube, Bora 1422-22 0980-73-7105	O	O	O			-
Mare Cruise Hirara, Shimozato 1072-9 0980-73-5000 090-3197-9243		O			Boatcharter	yes
Seamar Diving Club Hirara, Nishizato 807-2 0980-73-6930	O	O			Wetsuit/drysuit rental, diving license courses, night diving	-
Ocean Tribe Hirara, Shimajiri 510-1 0980-74-6203		O	O			-
Marine Service Miyako Hirara, Kugai 670-1 0980-72-9383	O	O			PADI diving license	-
M-Air Shimoji, Yonaha 233 0980-76-2479					Kite surfing	yes
Wāra Kankō Gusukube, Aragusku 946 090-7586-8982 090-1944-7466		O	O		Banana boat, Wakeboading, night snorkeling	yes
Blue honu Hirara, Shimozato 1245-8-2F 090-9789-5776					Parasailing	-
Wave Saifa Hirara, Nishizato 790-3 0980-72-3012					Wakeboarding	-
Miyakojima Kankō Service Hirara, Nishizato 984-3 0980-73-9314	O	O	O		Trips, fishing
Eco Guide Cafe Hirara, Shimozato 108-11 (Hirara Port Marine Terminal 1F) 0980-75-6050	O	O	O		PADI diving license and more.	-
Miyakojima Sea Kajak Club Hirara, Shimozato 1236-1 (Turibā Beach) 090-2852-0487		O	O			-
Hakuai Marine Ueno, Miyaguni 812-31 090-9484-0831		O			Glassboat, fishing and more	-
Sea Scooter Miyakojima Gusukube, Aragusku 476-1 (Aragusku - Yoshino Kaigan) 0980-77-7840 080-5215-0943		O				yes, some
Island Depot Hirara, Aza-Shimozato 1051 0980-75-4084	O	O			PADI diving license	-

GLASSBOTTOM BOATS

Kurima

Kurimajima Kaitei Kankōsen, 0980-76-3481 and 090-7292-6613
Departure: Harbor on Kurima Island on the left hand side after the Bridge
Fee: Adults ¥2000, Childeren ¥1000

Irabu

Yūmutsu Kaitei Kankōsen, 0980-78-4367
Departure: Sarahama harbor on the Island of Irabu
Fee: Adults ¥1000-1500, Childeren ¥500-700

Ikema

Ikemajima umi no ie – Glassboat Kaitei Kankō, 090-75-2004 and 090-9786-1539
Departure: Harbor in front of Ikema Junior High School, on Ikema island.
Fee: Adults ¥2000, Childeren ¥1000

Ikemajima Kaitei Kanko, 0980-75-2871 and 090-3797-9494
Departure: Harbor (close to the fishing cooperation "Ikema Gyokyō") on the island of Ikema
Fee: Adults ¥2000, Childeren ¥1000

German Culture Village

Seasky, 0980-76-6336
Departure: Harbor at the German Culture Village
Fee: Adults ¥2000, Childeren ¥1000

Golf

Another very popular activity in Miyakojima is golfing. Miyakojima has a number of driving ranges and golf courses. In the following, we want to introduce some of those:

Shigira Bay Country Club

The Aparagi Golf Course which belongs to the Shigira Bayside Suite Allamanda Hotel has around 1948 yards of space (18 holes, PAR 71). From April to November, the daily green fee is ¥12,950 on weekdays (for hotel guests ¥11,375), on weekends ¥16,100 (for hotel guests ¥14,525). From December to March it is ¥15,050 on weekdays (for hotel guests ¥13,475) and on weekends it is ¥19,775 (for hotel guests ¥18,200). For half a course ¥6000 is charged on weekdays and it is ¥8000 on the weekend from April to November. From December to March the fee is ¥7,500 on weekdays and on the weekends it is ¥9,500 (Ueno, Shinzato 1264, Phone: 0980-76-3700).

Emerald Coast Golf Links is close to Maehama beach. The course features 18 holes (PAR 72). The weekday fee is ¥13,055 (incl. green fee, cart fee) and on weekends it is ¥16,205 (from Juli to September). During the rests of the year it is ¥15,155 on weekdays and on weekends ¥19,880-20,930 is charged. Half a course for half the price is also a possible option. Groups are welcome. (Shimoji, Yonaha 1591-1, Phone 0980-76-3232).

other activities

Self-made accessories and kaleidoscopes

Here you can make accesories out of stones which are said to have special powers ("Powerstones"), or take the oportunity to make your own kaleidoscope. Making an appointment in advance is required. (Powerstone to Tezukuri Mangekyōkan, Hirara, Shinzato 1067-7, Thu-Tue 10am -6pm, Phone: 0980-76-4646).

Playing the Sanshin

Sanshin is a three stringed plucked instrument similar to the Shamisen. It is supposed to having been imported inthe 14th or 15th century from China to Okinawa. It is easy to learn one of the most important instruments in Okinawa.

If you want to try, you can take a short-course from an experianced teacher. Making an appointment in advance is required.

Shigenobu Minyō Kenkyūsho, Hirara, Nishizato 159, daily. 10am-1pm and 3pm-7pm, Phone: 0980-75-5150/ 090-9569-4437

Shima Utakan Ayagu, Gusukube, Fukuzato 933-15, daily from 2pm, Phone: 0980-77-4006/ 090-8354-7078

Pottery

Shīsā-lions can be found everywhere in Okinawa - at entrances of houses, in front of stores and public offices or as a good luck charm. Traditionally Shīsā are gods of protection, who banish evil and attract the good.

In Miyako there are different pottery shops, where you can make your own Shīsā under supervision. It`s advised to make an appointment.

Shīsā Monogatari, Hirara, Shimozato 246, daily 10am-8pm, Phone: 0980-75-0660

Kinjōtōgei, Shimoji, Kawamitsu 803-1, daily 10am-6pm, Phone: 0980-76-6694

Miyakoyaki, Hirara, Nishizato 1292-5, daily 9am-6pm, Phone: 0980-72-3948

Seashell arts

Miyako`s uncountable beaches have a rich choice of seashells. You can make your own souvenirs or lampshades and other handy things. (Miyako Shell, Hirara, Shimozato 2719, daily 11am-8pm, Phone: 0980-73-6330/ 090-8915-9160).

The seashell museum "Kaihoukan" (Gusukube, Bora 591-1, April-October 9am-6pm, November-March 10am-6pm,Phone: 0980-77-2323) exhibits various seashells; you can make your own seashell artwork. Seashell products are sold and also a restaurant is part of the museum.

Pony-riding

The comparatively small but strong Miyako Pony was used mainly in agriculture and in 1991 was declared a natural tresure of the prefecture of Okinawa. It`s mild character makes it very popular with children. Pony riding for children and adults can be booked with Nikadori Bokujō (Hirara, Shimozato 2606-2, daily 10am-6pm, Phone: 090-9781-1977)

Internet
The Manga and Internet café "Gera Gera" on Hiraras Nishizatodōri provides internet, dinks, TV, a big choice of manga (japanese comics) and magazines to read as well as PS2-Gaming for a fee of 400 yen per hour. For an additional fee you can rent a shower or massage chairs. (Hirara, Nishizato 224, daily 24hrs open, Phone: 0980-73-1522).

Quad bike rental
If you think bicycles are too tiring and cars too ordinary, you can rent a quad-bike (a four wheeled motorbike) and discover the island on an exciting trip. You can rent these exceptional bikes (which can be driven with a standard drivers licence) at ATV Miyakojima (Hirara, Nishizato 1445-1, daily 9am-7pm, Phone: 0980-73-6466). Please bring a translation for your drivers license for renting the bikes.

Billiards
The Billiard-bar "Zorro" (Hirara, Nishizato 302, daily from 3pm, Phone: 0980-75-3277) can be found on Nishizatodōri in Hirara. The table fee is 900 yen per hour; women-only groups pay 700 yen per hour. Soft drinks prices start from 100 Yen.

Karaoke

At "Hoshi no Ōjisama" you can rent big and small karaoke-rooms. Between 6pm and 8pm, the hourly fee is 700-1000 yen. From 8pm-12pm, it is 1250-2000 Yen. (Hirara, Shimozato 567-1, Phone: 0980-73-8001).

Emergency

resuscitation procedure for heart and lungs

	1. Secure the respiratory tract Place one hand on the forehead and use your index and middle finger to pull the chin up. 2. Check respiration Place your cheek close to the mouth and nose in order to listen for or feel for respiration. Check movement of chest and abdomen. Use only 10 seconds to do this procedure.
	3. Starting of artificial respiration If there is no sign of respiration, start artificial respiration. Keep securing the respiratory tract with one hand, use thumb and indexfinger of the hand placed on the forehead to pinch the nose. Open your mouth wide and cover the mouth of the patient, blow in air once slowly. After blowing, check the patients chest movement and respiration. If there is no sign of respiration, try blowing air once again.
	4. Observation and judgement of pulse After conducting artificial respiration twice, take 10 seconds to observe any sign of recovery such as breathing, coughing or movement.
	5. Heart massage If there are no signs of respiration, immediately start heart massage. Place one hand on the center of the ribs and place the joint of the other hand on it.
	6. Resuscitation Secure the respiratory tract and conduct artificial respiration twice. Repeat 15 times of heart massage and 2 times of artificial respiration.
	Use only one hand for a child. In the case of an infant, use two fingers to pressure one finger widgt under the teat.

First aid in case of being stung or bitten by

dangerous marine animals

There are many types of marine animals and some are dangerous as they may sting or otherwise be poisonous. If you touch them carelessly, it might cause a serious injury. Also you may not notice a sting at first, so first aid becomes important. In recent years, the number of cases of jellyfish stings has been increasing. Learn how to apply first aid in order to be prepered in case of emergency.

Cone Shell and Banded Sea Snake

Suck the poison out with your mouth and get to a hospital immediately.

Sea Anemone and Portuguese Man O`War
Wash and clean the stung area and cool it with ice or cool water. Never use vinegar!

Box Jellyfish

Get out of the water as soon as you get stung. Never scrub the wound. Apply plenty of vinegar and pull out the stings carefully. Cool the affected area with ice or cool water to relieve pain.

Blue-Ringed Octopus
Because swallowing the poison is also dangerous, do not suck the poison out of the wound, but try to press it out with your hands. Go to a hospital immediately.

Stonefish, Crown of Thorns, Striped Catfish, Long-spined Sea Urchin, Lion Fish, Flower Urchin
Remove visible stings and immerse the wound in hot water (40-45 degree celsius). You may use a plastic bag of hot water placed on the wound. Be careful not to use water that is hot enough to cause burns!

In cases of emergency please contact:

Miyako Hospital
Miyakojima, Hirara, Aza-Higashi-Nakasone 807, Phone: 0980-72-3151

Emergency Clinic Miyako
Miaykojima, Hirara, Aza-Higashi-Nakasone 807-5, Phone: 0980-72-2008