Miyakojima City Museum (宮古島市総合博物館), located around 1km from Miyakojima Tropical Botanical Garden, is where the island’s important historical materials and daily utensils are stored and exhibited. Miyako Island‘s culture and tradition are introduced in a simple way that can be easily understood. Although all notations in the museum are in Japanese, there is an English pamphlet you can refer to.
The museum is divided into four themes. Many of the customs and cultures are shown by dioramas and realistic figures.
- History and archeology: Exhibits range from when people settled on Miyako Island to World War Two.
- Customs and culture: Introducing traditional customs, lifestyles, and annual events.
- Nature: Miyako Island’s nature, animals, and ecological system.
- Traditional artifacts: Introducing Miyako Island’s distinctive textiles and pottery.
Note the taxidermy placed in the museum may make animal lovers uncomfortable.
Miyako Island’s Oldest Human Remains
Some exciting things you will find in Miyakojima City Museum include the oldest human remains on Miyako Island. Apparently, the bones belonged to humans from more than 26,000 years ago! This means the remains are the second oldest human remains in Japan.
The most surprising fact is probably that those remains were deemed to belong to people from Southeast Asia, around Malaysia. This means the Southeast Asians managed to travel all the way up to Okinawa hundreds of thousands of years ago!
Miyako Island and Paantu
At Miyakojima City Museum’s entrance, the Paantu mask might give you a shock. Paantu is the god that descends to Miyako-jima to chase the evil spirits away. The ritual occurs three times a year, with the dates not announced in advance. So if you are lucky to be on Miyako-jima when the ritual is held, don’t be afraid to get muddy. Paantu put mud on people to bring them good fortune (^_-)-☆.
Historically, Paantu rituals take place during the below period of the year. The dates are in the lunar calendar year.
- From the end of March to the beginning of April
- From the end of May to the beginning of June
- September
Tip: The wooden Paantu masks hung on the wall at the entrance area are for your photography sessions.
Tattoos Were a Part of the Islanders’ Custom?
Another surprising fact is about the tattoo. While most Japanese still hold a negative image of tattoos, the tattoo was a part of Miyako Island’s customs. This custom was only lost in the Meiji period when the government banned the practice.
Miyakojima City Musem’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Miyakojima City Museum is open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm except for Mondays.
- The last admission is at 4 pm.
- If Monday is a public holiday, the museum will close on Tuesday as well.
- The museum is closed on public holidays.
- The admission fee is
- 300 yen for adults
- 200 yen for university and senior high school students
- 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students
- The closest bus stop, Don Kihote-mae (ドンキホーテ前), is around a 30-minute walk away from Miyakojima City Museum.
Tip: School students can enter Miyakojima City Museum for free on weekends and during school breaks. This might only apply if you attend a Japanese school.
Discover Other Stunning Beaches on Miyakojima Island
Speaking of Miyakojima Island, it is a destination filled with amazing beaches! In fact, whenever TripAdvisor announces Japan’s top 10 beaches, Miyako-jima often fills up most of their list! The beaches are also one of the main reasons the Japanese relocate to the enchanting island. So if you plan on visiting Okinawa soon or are keen on doing some watersports on your next Japan trip, Miyako Island should be your must-visit destination!
For more information, refer to our article on The Beaches on Miyako-jima Island!
