How to get to and play at Miyara River, a sightseeing spot in Ishigaki Island! Ishigaki Island resident staff will give you a thorough explanation.

Hello everyone!
Although few people may have an image of rivers in Ishigaki Island, the island is not only home to the sea, but also to rivers and mountains rich in nature. Among them, Miyara River, which boasts the largest basin in the island, has mangrove colonies, which are designated as a national natural treasure, and the scene is truly spectacular!
The Miyara River is an open field, so river activities can be enjoyed with a high degree of freedom.
This article introduces Miyara River, the best river in Ishigaki Island.

 

 

 

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What is Miyara River?

 

 

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the Miyara River is the largest river in the island in terms of watershed area.
Hirugiaceae, the mangroves of the Miyara River, are native to wetlands in tropical and subtropical climates, and have been found growing nearby in Taiwan, Okinawa, and southern Kagoshima.

 

 

 

SUP and canoeing are the main activities on the Miyara River. There are also caves in the backcountry, so after enjoying SUP/canoe cruising, you can go exploring in the caves.

 

The cruising experience on the vast river, surrounded by mangroves, will give you a thrilling movie-like feeling. This is a place that offers an extraordinary experience that will make you feel like you are not in Japan, so be sure to check it out!

 

If you don't have time for activities, you can see the river and mangroves from the Miyara Bridge, so it is a good idea to stop by during your drive.

 

 

Miyara River Directions

 

 

 

The vast mangrove forests of this river may give the impression that it is far from the city center, but this is not the case. You cannot observe the mangroves of the Miyara River without taking a tour, so join PiPi's mangrove canoe or SUP tour to observe the subtropical jungle!

 

 

 

Miyara River, used both as a sightseeing spot and a place for activities, is one of the very popular spots due to its accessibility.

 

More information about Miyara River

 

 

 

Miyara River, the largest river in Ishigaki Island, is home to hirugi, a national natural treasure. The hirugi forest of Miyara River extends 1,500m from the mouth of Miyara River to the upstream. It is said that the area of the hirugi forest is 225 hectares, which is equivalent to about 48 Tokyo Domes. In this large community, mangrove trees, mainly Yaeyama hirugi, Ohirugi, and Mehirugi, grow naturally.

 

Lush, jungle-like holly forests grow on both sides of the river, creating a pleasant mood for river activities. First-time visitors are sure to be surprised by the unique tropical and subtropical scenery.

 

 

At low tide, the unusual shape of the mangroves can be observed down to the roots. The shape of the mangrove changes depending on the type of mangrove. The image you may have of a mangrove is one on stilts with octopus-like legs. The species with that shape is Yaeyama hirugi, a hirugiaceous plant native to the Yaeyama Islands, and is the most common type of mangrove you will see. Other species include the knee-shaped root of the hirugi and the "pencil root" of the mehirugi, which has very thin branches.

 

 

 

The recommended activity is cruising the river by canoe or SUP, but you can also explore the surrounding area. There are stairs leading down to the river from a location at the end of the Miyawa Bridge. At low tide, you can walk around the area and observe the flora, fauna, and mangrove forests up close as mud flats with lionfish and gobies appear. Many plants and animals that cannot be seen on the mainland live and grow here.

 

How to play Miyara River

 

 

 

The standard way to play in the rivers of Ishigaki Island including Miyara River isSUP/canoe cruisingThe best way to experience the vast jungle of the river is to get in the river and do river activities! The best way to experience a river surrounded by a vast jungle is to get in the river and do river activities!

 

 

The sensation of cruising freely and leisurely in a quiet flowing river is very relaxing. SUP/canoeing in the ocean is a great way to enjoy the liberating feeling of the field and the crystal clear ocean, peering into it to observe coral and tropical fish. While marine activities have a higher sport element, river activities are surrounded by greenery and the calm atmosphere creates a healing effect.

 

 

 

Of course, cruising while surrounded by the jungle is done in a special environment where dinosaurs might appear, so you can also experience a sense of excitement. Why not try SUP/canoe cruising on the Miyara River, where such excitement and relaxation coexist? SUP/canoeing is not the only way to enjoy the Miyara River. As mentioned above, we told you that you can go down to the mud flats during low tide. This body of water is brackish and rich in nutrients from the mixing of fresh and salt water.

 

 

 

As a result, the area is home to many shellfish species, making it possible to go tiohigari hunting all year round. When people think of eggling, they often think of clams, but unlike the mainland, there, bivalve mollusks such as the Japanese mussel, the blue mussel and the isohagari clam are often targeted. However, many locals are not able to classify shellfish in detail, so bivalves caught during ebb and flow are called "clams.

 

 

 

There were many things to do to enjoy the Miyara River, such as SUP, canoeing, and tidepooling. However, there are some points to keep in mind when playing. Be sure to take these precautions into account before playing. The first is UV protection. Even though you are surrounded by mangrove forests, sunlight shines overhead. It is known that the amount of ultraviolet rays in Ishigaki Island is high all year round. Regardless of the season you visit, be sure to take UV countermeasures such as applying sunscreen and wearing a hat and sunglasses.

 

 

Secondly, Ishigaki Island has a subtropical climate and is subject to sudden heavy rains called squalls.
Even if you do not plan to go into the river, you may get wet due to sudden rain, so it is better to have a large supply of rain gear and a change of clothes.
Finally, when you go for a manlove walk, nature experience, or tidepooling, you will be walking on mud flats at low tide. Since the area used to be submerged in the sea before the tide receded, it is naturally slippery and often muddy. Therefore, it is recommended that you wear boots or marine boots that can withstand the muddy conditions.

 

 

summary

 

 

 

We introduced the Miyara River. How was it?
Miyara River is the largest river in Ishigaki Island, and the mangrove forests that grow there are as large as 48 Tokyo Domes!
Such points of the Miyara River are as follows.

 

 

Please keep the above points in mind and visit the Fukidori River.
Thank you for reading to the end.

 

 

 

This article was written by.

Hello! I'm Niwa-chan, your source for all things Ishigaki Island. I have loved to be in touch with nature since I was a child, and I am especially fascinated by the rich natural environment of Okinawa. Currently based in Ishigaki Island, I provide information on how to enjoy activities such as snorkeling, SUP, and kayaking, as well as the hidden charms of the island.

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