Miyakojima, Island city in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
Miyakojima is a city in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, that spreads across six islands, with Miyako being the largest. The administrative unit includes both inhabited settlements and smaller offshore landmasses connected by bridges and ferry links.
The city was formed in 2005 when Hirara merged with three neighboring towns and one village into a single administration. This consolidation simplified public governance and created a unified identity for the island group in southwestern Okinawa Prefecture.
The Paantu festival takes place during the ninth month of the lunar calendar and shows men covered in grass and mud walking through the streets. These participants bring blessings to homes and drive away bad spirits according to old beliefs in the community.
Miyako Airport links the islands with other Japanese cities and offers regular flights across the region. Bridges run from the main island to Ikema, Irabu, and Kurima, so visitors can reach several islands by car or bus.
A monument to the German emperor recalls a shipwreck from 1873, when local residents helped stranded sailors. This rescue led to a lasting connection between the island community and Germany, which continues today through exchanges and memorial events.
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