Additional Driving Precautions for Miyako Island
We would like to point out some important things to be aware of during your trip to Miyako Island.
Things to be cautious about when driving in Miyako Island
Miyako Island is small enough to be driven around, which is why many people enjoy a scenic drive while
sightseeing.
One reason for this is that, unlike in Honshu and other areas, the transportation system is different,
making traveling by car particularly convenient.
However, while enjoying the sense of freedom during sightseeing, carefree driving can lead to accidents,
troubles, and even cause inconvenience to the local residents.
Let’s go over the important things to keep in mind when driving around the island, step by step.
Driving has its own characteristics depending on the region, not just in Miyako Island.
he same is true for Okinawa, where you may come across cars driving slowly or vehicles that don't
use their turn signals.
Please avoid getting frustrated. Driving aggressively or tailgating the car in front of you is
completely unacceptable
Pay close attention to the driving of the locals and drive carefully to avoid accidents
Also, be sure to pay attention to the behavior and movements of the locals.
Of course, be aware of pedestrians, but at night, you may also encounter people who have been
drinking walking or even lying on the road.
Each year, there are nearly 7,000 reports to the police across Okinawa about people lying on the
streets.During the year-end party season, it is reported that such incidents account for half of the
nighttime calls to the police.
When driving at night on the island, please make sure to switch between high beams and low beams
appropriately, and avoid driving at excessive speeds.
There are one-way streets and roads with poor visibility on Miyako Island.
Additionally, narrow roads are not uncommon, and you may find driving challenging at times
Make sure to pay attention to the road conditions, and prioritize safe driving without pushing
yourself.When driving in areas with poor visibility, it's important to slow down or make a full stop
as necessary, always following traffic rules.
In areas with sugarcane fields or other crops, visibility at intersections may be limited due to the
plants.
Additionally, most rural roads around sugarcane fields lack traffic lights and streetlights.
While the straight roads make it easy to speed up, extra caution is needed when driving at night.
When driving through areas with fields, be mindful of sudden appearances and blind spots.
Additionally, around the unnamed natural beaches on the island, illegal roadside parking is common,
which can narrow the roads.
While parking tickets are rarely issued outside the city areas, the narrow roads often lead to
incidents where cars scrape against each other or lightly bump into one another.
With its many beautiful landscapes, it's tempting to stop the car at tourist spots and scenic
viewpoints to take photos on Miyako Island
However, there are many places where parking is
prohibited or where the roads are narrow, and stopping your car in these areas can cause
inconvenience to others
You may feel the urge to take a photo here, but take a moment to calm
down and check if there’s a parking lot nearby or a place where you can safely park your car.It
would be helpful to check the parking lots around your destination and any no-parking zones in
advance.
Another commonly overlooked area is on bridges.Many people stop to enjoy the view along the bridge
that connects Miyako Island with the surrounding islands.
However, parking or stopping on the
bridge is strictly prohibited.If you want to enjoy the view along the bridge, it's best to park
before crossing the bridge or after you've crossed it, and then walk across to enjoy the scenery.
