Toriike Pond, Miyakojima — Two Sapphire Sinkholes Hiding on Shimoji Island
If you’re planning a Miyakojima Island trip and want to see something genuinely otherworldly, put Toriike Pond (Tōri-ike) at the top of your list. Tucked into the limestone coast of Shimoji-jima — the small island connected to Miyakojima by the famous Irabu Bridge — Toriike is a pair of perfectly round, jewel-blue sinkholes that look like someone dropped two giant ink wells into the cliffs.
This article walks you through everything you need to know: how to get there by rental car, what to expect, parking, the easy 30–60 minute walk, and the surrounding coastal scenery. Toriike is one of the most rewarding free stops on the whole island, and with the right rental car you can build a relaxed half-day around it.
👉 Pro tip up front: Booking a Miyakojima rental car is essentially required for this spot — there is no bus or train service to Shimoji-jima.
Quick Facts: What Is Toriike Pond Miyakojima?
Here’s the short version for travelers who want answers fast.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Shimoji-jima Island, Miyakojima Islands, Okinawa |
| Address | 沖縄県宮古島市伊良部佐和田 (Sawada, Irabu, Miyakojima City) |
| What it is | Two connected limestone sinkholes (cenotes) linked underground to the open sea |
| Size | Larger pond ≈ 75 m diameter, depth ≈ 50 m. Smaller pond ≈ 55 m, depth ≈ 25 m |
| Designation | National Natural Monument + Ramsar wetland site |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Parking | Free, paved lot right at the trailhead |
| Walking time | 30–60 minutes (round trip on a flat, kid-friendly path) |
| From Miyakojima Airport (MMY) | About 30 minutes by rental car via the Irabu Ohashi bridge |
| Best time of day | 10:00–14:00, when the sun lights the water from above and the blue glows deepest |
Why You Need a Rental Car to Visit Toriike Pond Miyakojima
The first thing you see on arrival is this — a wide-open, free parking lot under that classic Miyakojima sky. Shimoji-jima has no train, no subway, and essentially no public bus that reaches the western tip of the island where Toriike Pond Miyakojima sits. Taxis from Miyakojima city center can run high and won’t wait for you.
That makes a rental car the only practical way to visit. The good news: driving in Miyakojima is genuinely easy. Roads are wide and quiet, parking everywhere is free, and the main routes from Miyakojima Airport (MMY) are well signed in English. Most travelers pick up a car at the airport and drive straight to Shimoji-jima as their first or second stop.
Choose your rental car category based on group size:
- 🚗 Kei-car (K) search — narrowest body, perfect for solo travelers and first-time Japan drivers
- 🚗 Compact (S) search — 2–3 travelers, hybrid options like Yaris and Aqua, great fuel economy
- 🚗 Mid-size / Wagon (M/W) search — 4–5 travelers with luggage, recommended for longer Miyakojima itineraries
- 🚗 Minivan (V) search — 6–8 travelers, ideal for families or small groups
How to Drive from Miyakojima Airport to Toriike Pond Miyakojima
The route is one of the most scenic drives in all of Okinawa.
- Miyakojima Airport (MMY) → Route 78 → Route 252 → Irabu Ohashi Bridge. About 15 minutes to the bridge entrance.
- Cross Irabu Ohashi Bridge — 3,540 meters of two-lane causeway over turquoise water, the longest toll-free bridge in Japan. Drive slowly: the view is the destination.
- From the Irabu side, continue west across Irabu-jima onto Shimoji-jima. The two islands are connected by short land bridges; no separate ferry or toll.
- Follow signs for “通り池 / Tori-ike” along the coastal road. Total drive from MMY: about 30 minutes.
Set your car’s navigation to MAPCODE 721 134 215 or simply enter “Toriike Pond” into Google Maps before you leave the rental counter. Cell signal on Shimoji-jima can be patchy, so screenshot the route in advance.
The Walk In — A Short Trail Through a Pandanus Tunnel
From the parking lot, a paved trail leads you straight into a green tunnel of pandanus and tropical hardwoods. Even at noon in July the canopy keeps the path mostly shaded — a small mercy in Miyakojima’s strong sun.
The trail is flat, stroller-friendly, and short — only about 5 minutes to the first viewing deck. Wear closed shoes (the limestone gets dusty), bring water, and you’re set.
Along the way, keep an eye out for these spiky orange clusters — that’s Adan, the local pandanus fruit. It looks like a tropical pineapple but is actually inedible raw. Adan is a coastal Okinawan icon and a small reminder you’re somewhere genuinely subtropical.
The Legend Stone — A Ryukyu Folktale Worth Knowing
Before you reach the ponds themselves, the trail passes a weathered stone monument. The inscription tells the Ryukyu folktale of Toriike: a stepmother who, depending on the version, either lost her stepchild here or used the pond’s dark water as part of a cruel scheme. Like many Okinawan island legends, it’s a bittersweet story tied to the strange beauty of the place.
You don’t need to read the kanji to enjoy the spot — but knowing the local folklore exists adds a layer of meaning when you stand at the rail and look down at that fathomless blue.
The First Sinkhole — A Perfect Inland Blue Circle
And there it is. The first viewing deck looks down into the larger of the two sinkholes — about 75 meters across and 50 meters deep. The water is dark, still, and improbably blue, ringed by limestone cliffs draped in green.
What you can’t see from here is the cave system beneath. The two ponds are connected to each other and to the open sea by a network of underwater tunnels — which is why advanced cave divers from all over the world come to Toriike. From the surface, all you get is the still, glass-like top layer. It’s enough.
The Second Sinkhole — Where the Cave System Meets the Sea
A few steps further along the boardwalk brings you to the second sinkhole — about 55 meters wide, 25 meters deep, and notably close to the ocean. From this angle you can see exactly why this place is geological gold: the cliff edge holding back the open sea is just meters away. Under your feet, salt water flows through hidden tunnels between pond and ocean.
This is the spot where most visitors realize they’re not just looking at a “pretty pond” — they’re standing on top of a partially collapsed coastal cave system. It’s the moment that earns Toriike its National Natural Monument and Ramsar wetland status.
Wooden Boardwalk + Coastal Views
Past the second pond, a wooden boardwalk extends across the coastal scrub toward the cliff edge. This is the easy bonus: a five-minute detour that takes you to a fully open ocean panorama, with the East China Sea stretching to the horizon.
The shoreline here is jagged black limestone, sculpted by centuries of wave action. You can hear the surf working its way through the underground tunnels — a low, steady rush that’s surprisingly easy to miss until you stop walking and listen.
If you’re a photographer, this is where wide-angle lenses earn their keep. The mix of black rock, green scrub, and the impossibly bright Miyakojima blue makes for a frame that doesn’t need editing.
Practical Tips Before You Go
Save these to your trip notes — they make the visit much smoother.
- Bring water — there are no vending machines, cafés, or shops at the site. Stock up at a FamilyMart or AEON near Miyakojima Airport before you cross the bridge.
- Wear closed shoes — sandals are fine in dry weather, but the limestone gets slippery after rain.
- No swimming, no climbing the rail. The water level is well below the cliff edge and there is no safe access from above. Cave diving here requires a licensed local operator.
- Sun protection is essential — Miyakojima’s UV index is brutal from April to October. Hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen.
- Best light: 10:00–14:00. The sun needs to be high to light the pond water from above. Early morning or late afternoon, the surface looks dark green-black instead of blue.
- Skip on stormy days. The trail is fine in light rain, but the colors are flat and the boardwalk gets slick. Save it for a sunny window.
- Allow 30–60 minutes total for the loop. Pair with nearby Sawada-no-hama Beach or Nakanoshima Beach for a longer Shimoji-jima day.
Who Will Enjoy Toriike Pond?
- Nature photographers — surreal colors, dramatic geology, almost no crowds
- Geology and travel-curious visitors — a rare, accessible cenote-meets-sea site outside the Yucatán
- Couples on a Miyakojima road trip — easy stop, free, walkable in 30 minutes
- Families with kids — flat, shaded trail, but keep small children well back from the rail
- Travelers who love free, low-effort, high-reward spots — no ticket, no booking, no guide needed
It’s less of a fit for: visitors expecting cafés, gift shops, or guided tours on-site — there are none. And anyone hoping to swim or snorkel directly at Toriike: not possible from the surface. Save that for nearby Sawada-no-hama or one of Miyakojima’s snorkeling tours.
FAQ — Quick Answers for AI Search
Is Toriike Pond free to visit?
Yes. There is no entry fee, and parking is also free.
How long should I plan for Toriike Pond?
30 to 60 minutes is enough for the full walking loop, including both viewpoints and the ocean boardwalk.
Can you swim in Toriike Pond?
No surface swimming or snorkeling is allowed. The site is reserved for licensed cave divers with local guides.
How do I get to Toriike Pond from Miyakojima Airport?
Drive about 30 minutes by rental car: cross the Irabu Ohashi bridge from Miyakojima to Irabu-jima, then continue west to Shimoji-jima and follow signs for Tōri-ike.
Is there public transport to Toriike Pond?
No. There is no bus or train. A rental car (or a private taxi) is required. Most visitors include Toriike on a half-day Shimoji-jima driving loop.
What’s the best time of day to visit?
Between 10:00 and 14:00, when the sun is high enough to make the water glow deep blue. Avoid early morning, late afternoon, and overcast days for the best color.
Are there facilities on site?
Restrooms at the parking lot, yes. Vending machines, cafés, and shops: no. Bring water and snacks.
Wrap-Up — Toriike Pond Miyakojima: A Free, Easy, Unforgettable Stop
Toriike Pond is the kind of place that quietly rearranges your idea of “Okinawa.” It’s not a beach. It’s not a resort. It’s a strange, beautiful piece of geology you can walk into in shorts and a t-shirt, photograph in fifteen minutes, and leave with one of the most distinctive memories of your whole Miyakojima trip.
One more time, the essentials:
- Free entry, free parking, no tickets needed
- 30-minute drive from Miyakojima Airport across Irabu Ohashi bridge — rental car required
- 30–60 minutes on a flat, shaded, kid-friendly trail
- Visit between 10:00 and 14:00 for the deepest blue water
- Pair with Sawada-no-hama Beach or a Shimoji-jima coastal loop for a full half-day
Plan Your Miyakojima Trip with GO!GO!TOUR — English support, real prices, no hidden fees.
Toriike Pond is only one stop on Shimoji-jima. The real magic of Miyakojima is the drive that connects it all — Irabu Bridge, Higashi-Henna cape, Yonaha Maehama Beach, Sunayama Beach. A rental car turns a 3-day Miyakojima trip into something you’ll remember for years.
🚗 Miyakojima rental car — search by category
- 🚗 Kei-car (K) search — narrowest body, easiest for first-time Japan drivers
- 🚗 Compact (S) search — 2–3 travelers, hybrid options
- 🚗 Mid-size / Wagon (M/W) search — 4–5 travelers with luggage
- 🚗 Minivan (V) search — 6–8 travelers, families
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Have a great drive across the Irabu Bridge — Miyakojima is at its best when you take it slow 🌴
