Getting from Shimojishima Airport to Irabu Island is the first thing most visitors worry about — but there's one key fact almost no guide mentions: Shimojishima Airport is actually located on Irabu Island itself. The moment you land, you're already on one of Okinawa's most beautiful outer islands, and you can reach the best beaches without crossing a single bridge. This up-to-date 2026 guide covers airport buses, taxis, car rental and "no-car" options, with real distances, fare ranges and how to drive in Japan with a foreign licence.
- Where is Shimojishima Airport (SHI)? It's right on Irabu Island!
- After you land: how to get out of the airport
- Airport buses: Resort Line & Airport Line
- Taxi fare guide: airport to each destination
- Renting a car: 4 companies & driving with a foreign licence
- Don't want to rent a car? Hotel shuttles & ride-hailing
- FAQ
- Summary
Where is Shimojishima Airport (SHI)? It's right on Irabu Island!
Many guides describe Shimojishima Airport as "Miyako's airport," giving the impression you must head to the main island of Miyako first. In fact, Miyako Shimojishima Airport (SHI) sits in the Sawada district on the west side of Irabu Island, part of the same "Irabu & Shimoji Islands" area. In other words — once you land, you're already on Irabu Island and can start exploring without crossing the Irabu Bridge. This is the blind spot of almost every other guide, and the single most useful thing to understand when planning your trip.
Distances from Shimojishima Airport to the main spots (on foot & by car)
| Destination | By car | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toguchi-no-Hama (one of Japan's finest white-sand beaches) | approx. 5 min | Closest beach to the airport |
| 17END (the spot where planes skim low overhead) | approx. 8 min | Check the low-tide timing |
| Irabu Bridge (sea-crossing bridge) | approx. 10 min | The route to mainland Miyako |
| Miyako city centre (Hirara) | approx. 25 min | Via Irabu Bridge |
Reaching a beach or the bridge within 10 minutes of landing is Shimojishima Airport's biggest advantage.
After you land: how to get out of the airport
Direct international flights now serve Shimojishima (including routes from Taipei and Hong Kong; check the airline for current schedules). The flow after landing is simple: immigration → baggage claim → arrivals hall. The airport is compact, so the car-rental counters, taxi stand and bus stops are all clustered near the exit — just follow the signs. We recommend booking a rental car or hotel pick-up in advance so you can transfer seamlessly without waiting around.
Airport buses: Resort Line & Airport Line
Shuttle buses connect Shimojishima Airport with mainland Miyako (Miyako Airport, the city centre and resort areas) via the Resort Line and Airport Line. Services are infrequent (around 3–4 per day), so match them to your flight and always check the latest timetable from the Miyakojima Tourism Association and the bus operators. Note: regular route buses do not run directly to Irabu Island's main sightseeing areas — for getting around the island itself, a rental car or taxi is the way to go.
Airport bus vs taxi vs rental car: which is best?
| Option | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport bus | Solo travellers heading to a mainland Miyako hotel | Cheap | Few services; doesn't reach Irabu's sights |
| Taxi | No driving; lots of luggage; direct to hotel | Reliable, immediate | Higher per-trip cost |
| Rental car | Couples, families, anyone touring the island | Maximum freedom | Needs a permit; drive on the left |
Taxi fare guide: airport to each destination
Online taxi fares vary widely, so here is a rough guide by area (final fare by meter):
| Destination | Approx. fare (JPY) |
|---|---|
| Short trips within Irabu Island (airport → Toguchi-no-Hama, etc.) | approx. ¥700–¥1,500 |
| Miyako city centre (Hirara) | approx. ¥2,000–¥4,500 |
| Major hotels (by distance) | approx. ¥2,000–¥4,500 |
For short hops from the airport to Irabu's beaches, a taxi is actually quite affordable; fares rise mainly when heading over to mainland Miyako.
Renting a car: 4 companies & driving with a foreign licence
Near the airport you'll find OTS, ORIX, Toyota and Pine, all of which should be booked online in advance (cars sell out in peak season). They differ slightly in language support, vehicle range and price.
What licence do you need? To drive in Japan you generally need an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, carried together with your home-country licence. (Drivers from a few countries — e.g. Germany, France, Switzerland, Taiwan and Belgium — instead need an official Japanese translation of their licence.) Check your country's requirement before you travel.
Drive on the left: Japan drives on the left, with the steering wheel on the right. If you're used to driving on the right, take extra care at intersections and with the indicator/wiper stalks — get used to the car around the airport before setting off.
The Irabu Bridge drive: from the airport to the city
From Shimojishima Airport, follow the west coast past Toguchi-no-Hama and Sawada-no-Hama, reaching the head of Irabu Bridge in about 10 minutes; cross it and you're in central Miyako within roughly 15 minutes. Irabu Bridge is the longest toll-free sea-crossing bridge in Japan (3,540 m), and the "Miyako Blue" sea views along the way make it a scenic drive in its own right.
Don't want to rent a car? Hotel shuttles & ride-hailing
Plenty of guides end with "you must rent a car," but you can still enjoy Irabu without driving. Combine three options: (1) hotel shuttles — most resorts offer airport transfers (usually by advance reservation; confirm with your hotel); (2) airport buses to mainland Miyako hotels; and (3) DiDi ride-hailing, which works on Miyako, though car numbers are limited and you may wait at busy times. Used together, these let you complete a car-free Irabu Island trip.
FAQ
Q: Does Shimojishima Airport have an airport bus?
A: Yes, but services are few (around 3–4 per day); match them to your flight and check the latest timetable.
Q: How much is a taxi from the airport to the city?
A: Around ¥2,000–¥4,500 depending on destination; short trips within Irabu Island are about ¥700–¥1,500.
Q: Can I travel Miyako without renting a car?
A: Yes — combine hotel shuttles, airport buses and DiDi.
Q: How long does it take from Shimojishima Airport to Irabu Island?
A: You're already on Irabu Island! The airport is in the Sawada district, a 5–10 minute drive from the main spots.
Q: Are Shimojishima and Irabu the same place?
A: Shimojishima is a small separate island where the airport sits; Irabu is the neighbouring island, and the two are joined by a bridge — together they're known as the "Irabu & Shimoji Islands" area.
Summary
The real appeal of Shimojishima Airport is that you "land straight onto Irabu Island." Decide your transport first — rent a car to tour every spot (sort out your IDP or licence translation beforehand), or keep it easy with taxis and hotel shuttles. Nail the first step, and your "Miyako Blue" Irabu Island trip is already half a success. Further reading: Irabu Island sightseeing guide and official Okinawa travel information.
