Close to the entrance of Nishihennazaki Cape, there is a salt museum you will want to drop by for the award-winning Miyako-jima Snow Salt! Miyakojima no Yukishio Museum (雪塩ミュージアム) may not seem big to you, but on weekends and public holidays, it can receive more than 1,000 visitors a day!
The most natural product from the blessing of the ocean is salt. Okinawa’s top-quality salt is produced on Miyako Island. The salt manufactured on Miyako-jima is so fine that it is named “snow salt”, and in 2012, Mode Selection awarded the salt a gold award!
Moreover, it is recognized by Guinness World Records for containing the most different types of minerals!
In Museum Lounge (ミュージアムラウンジ), where drinks and desserts are served, a video introduces how Yukishio is made. After you have a rough understanding of the production process, you can take a peek into the factory at the back. Of course, there is a shop selling Yukishio-related products.
Tip: If you speak Japanese, you can join the free guide tour for further details about Miyakojima’s Yukishio when you get there.
How Yukishio Salt Is Made
Although Yukishio Museum is located close to the beach shore, it sources the seawater from 22 meters underground. So the raw ingredient contains 14 minerals from the Ryūkyū Limestone (琉球石灰岩) layer. The benefit of using the seawater below the Ryūkyū Limestone layer doesn’t just stop at the rich mineral contents. The limestone is also a great filter to remove impurities!
After the seawater is pumped up, water is instantly evaporated using a heated metal board. And that is it! The resulting salt has a diameter of only 96 micrometers. Compared to normal salt with a diameter between 200 to 400 micrometers, Yukishio is much finer.
Because the salt is so fine, Yukishio melts quickly and is attached to any ingredient easily. So it is not only nutritious, it makes the food tastier!
The Special Yukishio Soft Serve Ice Cream
The must-try when you visit Miyakojima no Yukishio Museum is their Yukishio Soft Serve Cream. There is a moderate taste of saltiness buried in the sweetness of the milk ice cream, making the aftertaste refreshing.
But that is not it!
Plenty of salt bottles are placed on the table in different flavors. This is when you get adventurous and sprinkle the flavored salts onto your ice cream. We guarantee you will have so much fun with these salt bottles and the ice cream in your hand (≧▽≦).
Other Yukishio-Relative Products
Needless to say, flavored salt isn’t the only product in the shop. You will find plenty of sweets and beverages that Yukishio have added.
In addition, although it might not seem natural to some to add salt to cosmetic products, the Yukishio skincare range is one of the best-sellers in the shop!
Head to the Yukishio Lab (雪塩ラボ) and try their fine products out!
In fact, just grab a bag of Yukishio. The salt itself is the perfect natural skincare product! Plus, you will need it if you cook too!
If you are after something fancier, how about a box of Yukishio Mineral Home Spa? Whether you just want to rub it onto your skin or use it to massage your body, it will surely make your skin healthier and look brighter afterwards (^_-)-☆.
Tip: The handmade Yukishio Soap is the perfect souvenir for sensitive skin.
Miyakojima no Yukishio Museum’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Miyakojima no Yukishio Museum is open daily from
- 9 am to 6:30 pm from April to August
- 9 am to 5 pm from September to March
- It is around a 20 to 30-minute drive from Hirara Port (平良港).
- You can also take Miyakojima Bus’s (宮古島 バス) Ikema Loop Line (池間一周線) and get off at Karimata (狩俣). It is then a 15-minute walk to the museum.
- Refer to HERE for the service’s timetable. You can translate it to English using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar.
Discover Other Awesome Attractions on Miyako Island
On top of the breathtaking beaches, Miyako Island also has a couple of attractions in other categories. There are, of course, farmers’ markets and food-related spots on the island that await your visit!
For more information, refer to our article on Miyako Island (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
