Miyakojima, a remote island in Okinawa Prefecture, is only a 3-hour flight from Tokyo and a 40-minute flight from Naha. It is a popular island not only as a tourist destination, but also as a place where an increasing number of people from Tokyo are moving to.

In this issue, we will introduce some of the best and unique local delicacies that are loved by the people of Miyakojima, and that are both delicious and comforting!


Uzumaki Pan" available at Miyako Airport and other places

Uzumaki Pan" is a traditional Miyako Island specialty made by rolling cream with bread dough. It is said that it was invented as a " cheap, sweet, and tasty " snack to be eaten by spreading butter cream used for cakes on bread, since cakes with sweet cream used to be a luxury item in the old days.


The soft, fluffy, sweet dough is chewy and looks like a high quality loaf of bread! The crunchy texture of the sugar combined with the sweet cream is addictive. You can also enjoy it in any way you like: lightly browned in a frying pan and served with fruit or ice cream, or soaked in a generous amount of milk and baked like French toast.


Incidentally, there is also "Deka Uzumaki Pan" available only at Miyako Airport. It is a big size, perhaps 40 to 50 centimeters long, so if you have room in your suitcase, you should definitely try it.


Must-try Miyako Island gourmet "Miyako Beef

If you come to Miyako Island, you must eat Miyako beef! Even if you are a herbivore, this is a must-try. Even if you are normally a herbivore, this is a must-try because it is so delicious that it melts in your mouth.

Miyako beef is served in various ways, such as grilled or shabu-shabu. However, I recommend the hamburger steak and nigiri.


The hamburger steak is soft and fluffy, and the juices are just amazing! When you put your chopsticks into the hamburger, juices of deliciousness overflow.


When you put it in your mouth, the tender meat loosens without even chewing, and the delicious flavor and sweetness of the meat spreads out all at once. The texture of the meat melting on your tongue while releasing its juices is truly exceptional!


On the other hand, the Miyako beef nigiri, with its beautifully fatty meat softly topped with rice, is a dish with just the right amount of crunchiness and deep flavor. Throw it into your mouth with a little grated garlic and enjoy!


The meat is tender, yet firm and chewy. There is no unpleasant smell at all. The more you chew, the more the deep flavor of aged meat spreads in your mouth... and it goes well with Awamori!


Mango juice "everyone raves about" at Sunayama Beach

Just before Sunayama Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Miyako Island, you will be greeted by mango juice that "everyone ra ves about.


The mango juice is golden like the sun, with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and large pieces of mango pulp. There are so many toppings that it would be a shame to call it just "mango juice"!


In addition, there is a cool, crunchy mango sorbet-like substance at the bottom. Since there is no ice, you can enjoy the rich mango flavor from start to finish! The delicious trick is to use a straw to mix the drink from top to bottom, melting the ice cream and other ingredients as you drink it.


I looked around and saw that there were "seashells" and photo frames for sale right next to the store. You may want to pick one up as a memento of your trip.


Enjoy the warmth of Ri-chan's handmade sweets!

Ri-chan-ke Cafe is located right in front of Painagama Beach, a long stretch of sandy beach near the harbor. The popular menu here is said to be omelette rice, but in fact, there is a full lineup of sweets as well! The store also offers cake classes and seems to be a place for locals to relax.


This time, I tried the moist banana cake. It is filled with softly mashed banana pulp.


One bite and you immediately feel the banana! The sweetness of the bananas, which must have been bathed in the sun, spreads in your mouth like a fresh southern breeze! The simple, yet delicious homemade taste will keep you coming back for more.


I never thought of that idea! Tuna Gunkan with sea grapes on top

We came to Usagiya, an izakaya located at the entrance of the downtown area, because we were told that we could see a live shima-uta performance. The tuna gunkan with umi budou (sea grapes) on top is also a recommended dish.


The gunkan is made by cutting red tuna into chunks and wrapping it around a large amount of umi budou. It is quite a difficult task to take a bite of the umi budou that is facing this way and that, but the moment you manage to get it into your mouth, the feeling of happiness is indescribable...! The taste of the sea water popping in little pieces, combined with the flavor of the tuna, turns your mouth into an ocean.


In fact, Usagiya has stores on Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture, as well as a sister store in Omiya, Saitama Prefecture. Who knew there was a place in the Kanto area where you could feel Miyako? The Okinawan folk song live performance where you can sing and dance together is a lot of fun, so if you are interested, please visit there!


On Miyako Island, you can see the deep and beautiful colors of the sea and the bright green sugarcane fields that cover the island, and the overwhelming natural scenery can be seen everywhere. Also scheduled for completion at the end of this month is the Irabu Bridge connecting Miyako and Irabu islands. It is said to be the longest bridge in Japan open to free passage, so bridge fetishists should not miss it!