Arriving at Miyako Airport, we quickly assembled our bicycles. We looked for a pump, but couldn't find one. I was glad I had brought a portable inflator. Kenta and Tsucchi used Ostrich's OS-500 folding bag. One large coin-operated locker at the airport could hold two people's luggage (600 yen per 24 hours).

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With a change of clothes and other belongings on our backs, we headed for today's inn, ""Kataaki no Sato,"" about 4km away. The inn is an old traditional Okinawan house in the center of the island. There are nine red-tile-roofed old houses on the premises, and they are all available to rent. After checking in and leaving our luggage at the inn, we started our first day's ride!

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It was almost lunchtime, so we first rode about 10 minutes to "Menya Summer Sun" to work up an appetite. Tsucchi had found out about this restaurant in advance and wanted to try it, and ""Miyako Shrimp Soba"" was on the menu. The ingredients looked gorgeous, the shrimp-flavored broth, and the thick, homemade Okinawa soba noodles were very satisfying. I enjoyed the prawns to the last with the help of the instructions on how to peel them.

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We stopped by a bakery recommended by word of mouth in the city for an after-meal coffee. It is a popular bakery with customers constantly stopping by. We had freshly baked chocolate bread and freshly brewed coffee. Tsucchi was so excited by the deliciousness of the bread. Kenta, whose nickname in school was ""Moja,"" felt a strong affinity with the bakery.

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After stopping by Miyako Shrine, Japan's southernmost shrine located behind Moja's Bakery, to pray for safety during the trip, we headed for today's main destination, Irabu Island. On this day (mid-January), the temperature was around 20°C, a comfortable temperature for riding. It was hard to believe that it was 3°C in Tokyo this morning.

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We arrived at the Irabu Ohashi Bridge, which connects Miyako and Irabu Islands. It is the longest bridge in Japan (3,540 meters) that can be crossed free of charge. Moreover, both sides of the bridge are turquoise blue, which is characteristic of the tropics! If the weather is clear, you can enjoy an exhilarating view. It is a privilege of bicycle travel to be able to stop pedaling in the middle of the bridge and look out over the ocean.

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Mannequins dressed as police officers stare into the distance at an intersection just after crossing to Irabu Island. Miyakojima Mamoru-kun, a specialty of Miyako Island, is a symbol installed at intersections and roads around the island to raise awareness of traffic safety. Each one has its own name, and the one I photographed this time was called "Takaya-kun."

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Leaving Miyakojima Mamoru-kun behind, the tour will continue counterclockwise around the outer circumference of Irabu Island (about 30km). The outer circle includes Shimojishima Island, which is adjacent to Irabu Island. The outer circumference is sparsely populated and there is not a single traffic light, making it a pleasant and relaxing ride!

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Stop by "Toriike Ponds" for a break at a sightseeing spot on Shimoji Island. Park your bicycle in the parking lot and walk through a jungle-like tunnel of trees for about five minutes until you come to two huge ponds. The two ponds are connected underwater and lead to the ocean. They are also popular diving spots.

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We stopped by "17END" (a combination of aviation terms meaning the orientation and end of a runway), a spot behind Shimojijima Airport. We were told that we could see planes taking off, so we waited excitedly, expecting to be treated to a powerful view, but the planes took off from the front. However, the plane took off from the front. Since no cars were allowed to enter, it was a relaxing spot where one could take it easy.

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Proceeding southwest from 17END, you will arrive at a mysterious beach with numerous giant rocks lying here and there offshore. They were carried in by the Meiwa tsunami of 1771, and were used as the location for the promotional video for Jyoshi Junirakubou. Kenta performing on his musical road bike

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A round trip around Irabu Island, including Shimoji Island, takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Finally, we went to the Makiyama Observatory, the highest observatory on Irabu Island. From the observatory, you can see the Irabu Bridge and Miyako Island, and get a bird's eye view of the day's itinerary.

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We are back on Miyakojima again. I was hungry, so it was time for my last café. I happened to visit "Banana Cake Monte d'Or" and had their most popular "Fresh Banana Cake". The fluffy chiffon sponge is filled with a whole ripe banana. I choose a "banana juice with protein" as my drink of choice in preparation for the second day's ride.

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The ride was intense for a half-day ride, with occasional sprinkles of rain, as is typical of the island weather. We left our bicycles under the eaves of the building and finished the day's ride. When we returned to the inn, we were greeted by the delicious smell of food. In the kitchen, a woman by the kappo-gai (Japanese cooking stove) is preparing dinner. These women are Anna (mothers) who have come to the inn as part of the "Anna Gohan" service, a local home cooking service. The warm hospitality of the freshly prepared dishes was a welcome treat.

For more information on Anna-Gohan, click here.

The exterior of the inn looks old-fashioned, but the rooms are new, wooden and modern, with a full range of amenities and a washing machine (with detergent!). The amenities and washing machine were perfect. We were especially impressed with the Arita-yaki open-air bath. On a clear night, you can gaze up at the starlit sky. While dinner was cooking, we soaked in the hot water to relieve the fatigue of the ride. I'm not too keen on long baths, but I really enjoyed this one.

After getting out of the bath, local Okinawan dishes such as Somen Chanpuru, Vegetable Chanpuru, Sanpai Meat, Mozuku, etc. are lined up on the table. No need to go out of town for dinner after a tiring ride, the mood is completely relaxed! Surprised by the sheer volume of food, the night went by with the optional addition of Orion beer and "Taragawa" awamori from Miyako Island.