An overnight Miyako trip, with soba, sea views and two evening stops
Soba soon after landing, a hot spring and a warm pool, then two places for dinner. The following day brought a drive beside the sea, island shopping and more food. Haruru's first Miyako trip fitted plenty of pleasures into one night and two days.
A personal journey through Miyako and Irabu, shared in September and October 2024.
Irabu Soba Kame, recommended on the flight
Haruru's first stop after arriving was 伊良部そば かめ, Irabu Soba Kame. A local woman sitting beside her on the plane had recommended it. In the entrance photo, the curtain carries the words 自家製麺: homemade noodles.
At the restaurant, a staff member showed her the noodle-making workspace. She also remembered their conversation about the owner and his approach to the food. The soba lived up to her hopes: she enjoyed the broth, noodles and pork belly, as well as the tuna nigiri recommended to her.
After lunch, she left her luggage at the hotel and set off again. The short island trip had begun with a meal suggested by someone she had just met.
Shigira Gold Onsen and an evening at Saikai
Her next stop was シギラ黄金温泉, Shigira Gold Onsen, whose name appears in the entrance photo. Alongside the hot spring, she enjoyed the warm pool in her swimsuit. Although she had been watching an uncertain weather forecast, both days of this trip turned out sunny.
After returning to the hotel, she went to the soba izakaya 彩海, Saikai, for the first evening meal. Its name is visible on the restaurant curtain. Her food photos show a salad with sea grapes and a plate of soba served with a dipping broth.
She enjoyed the food, but also wanted to try somewhere that felt closer to the places local people might choose. She searched again and headed out for another meal.
Dinner at Kappo Hama, then a leisurely hotel breakfast
The search led her to 割烹浜, Kappo Hama. She checked at the entrance that she had found the right place, then ordered Orion beer. The small bonito dish served at the start was so good that it raised her expectations for the meal.
She enjoyed the texture of the goat sashimi and did not find its flavour difficult. The horse sashimi was served in a style that reminded her of yukhoe, while island shallots came as tempura. She was pleased with both their texture and the generous portion.
She also tried Horoyoi beef sushi and sushi with local fish. She ordered more of the meat sushi and added squid she had particularly liked, finishing with udon. Awamori was part of the evening too, and she went back to the hotel very full.
The next morning, she took her time over the hotel's buffet breakfast while looking towards the sea. Her photo shows small dishes, rice and fruit spread across the table. She ate a little too much, but it was time to set off for the second day's island drive.
Sea views, island shopping and food along the drive
The next day, Haruru travelled around the island by car. The order she recorded was Imgya Marine Garden, Higashi-Hennazaki, Higa Road Park, Miyakojima City Public Market, Shima no Eki Miyako and Yonaha Maehama Beach. Clear skies and blue water made the scenery a pleasure between stops.
At Shima no Eki, she bought green papaya, unusual local vegetables, sea grapes and jimami tofu. She also chose souvenir sweets and small items. The market's name, 宮古島市公設市場, is visible across the front of the building in her photo.
Along the way she ate Blue Seal ice cream and taco rice from Ruler's. Their names appear on the ice-cream cups and the taco-rice tray liner. Views, shopping and meals built up into a full second day of the overnight trip.
A rib steak with garlic butter to finish the journey
She had not managed to eat steak during her time on Miyako, so the final dinner was at Steak House B&M. Haruru chose a rib steak topped with garlic butter.
After enjoying so much island food, it felt like a more indulgent way to finish. She was pleased with how much she had been able to see and do in a short stay, and her first trip to Miyako had left her with many happy memories.
Sources for this account
Haruru's personal accounts shared in autumn 2024, edited and shared with her permission. The official restaurant and hot-spring pages are included as references for the names.