'''Minamidait?''' is an island village in Okinawa, located about 400km east of the Okinawan mainland. The island is known as ''Minamidait?-jima'' (________) and the village is ''Minamidait?-son'' (________). The name is also sometimes written as ''Minami Daito'', or ''Minamidaitou''. With 1400 inhabitants, it has about twice the population of nearby Kitadaito.

Minamidaito was first discovered in 1820 by a Russian ''Borodino''-class marine vessel and named '''South Borodino Island''', then in 1900 a Japanese pioneering team from Hachij? Island became the first human inhabitants of the island, using the land to grow sugarcane. Minamidaito continues to produce sugarcane as its main source of revenue; it also runs factories for refining the sugar and producing a unique brand of rum called ''Cor Cor''.

As a tourist destination, Minamidaito is one for the adventurous - flight tickets are not cheap, but the fascinating ethnic nature, culture and hospitality of the place can easily make it worth the cost, even just for a weekend visit. Everything about Minamidaito is unique, from the unique cultural blend between Okinawa and its ancestral Hachijo to the unique plant, fish and animal species. It's home to Japan's largest weather station and Japan's shortest airline flight.

Get in

The only way to get to Minamidaito is from Naha or neighboring Kitadaito either by plane or ferry. There are two flights per day from Naha, which can be reserved up to two months in advance from Naha Airport or by telephone or internet with Japan Airlines. Round-trip flights cost \45,200 (in 2008) and last about 70 minutes. The ferry costs around \10,000, but has a sporadic timetable and takes 12-17 hours each way.

The flight between Minamidaito and Kitadaito lasts for three minutes, and is the shortest airline flight in Japan.

Get around

The main village complex is easily navigable on foot. For the outer sights there is a rental service for cars and bicycles, but locals are always happy to offer a lift.

The first place to stop by is the Visitor Center (''bijitaa sentaa'') from which the manager, Kazuaki Higashi (Higashi-san), will help to organise your sightseeing needs.

Talk

If you cannot speak Japanese, it will be important to bring a phrasebook. Almost all of the native islanders have virtually no comprehension of English. On the other hand, due to the presence of school staff, university students and migrants from the Philippines, there should be one or two English speakers somewhere to be found.

Eriko Yoshizato, the manager of Yoshizato Hotel, speaks good English and will be able to help with any queries.

If you have studied Japanese, you will have a great opportunity to practice the Okinawan dialect and the rarer Hachijo dialect.

See

  • '''Bats''' - Daito's unique bat, the ''okomori'', will usually be eating fruit in the ''fukugi'' trees at night. Ask Higashi-san about where to look.
  • '''Whale-watching''' (''hoeru wotchingu'') is also possible in the winter, while during the summer tsunami season you can watch the enormous waves crashing into the rocks.
  • '''Daito Shrine''' (''Daito Jinja'') is hidden away in a beautiful forest setting. There is a large ''torii'' gate, a pathway around the forest walk, and a sumo stage used during the Honen Festival.
  • '''Daito Culture Center''' (''bunka sentaa'') is not far from the village office, and hosts numerous artefacts from the island's history. Information is in Japanese, but the photographs speak for themselves. Entry \200.
  • A view of 70% of the island is available at '''Hinomaru''' observation tower.
  • The best place to investigate Minamidaito's unique plant species is next to Kaigunbo pool.
  • '''Taiko drumming''' - The young traditional drumming group '''Daito Taiko''' practices hard every evening from 6.45pm-7.30pm at the ''sogo'' center. If you turn up to watch, they will probably do a performance just for you.
  • The multiple prize-winning ''sanshin'' girl group '''Borojino Musume''' likes to perform for visitors. Ask ahead.
  • Do

    The visitor center can help you with all the activities and getting hold of any equipment. Services are very inexpensive, or free.

  • '''Fishing''' is possible at all the ports, though there are good and bad days for fish. On a good day you have a better chance of catching an enormous fish than anywhere else in Okinawa.
  • '''Caving''' - There are two major caves - '''Hoshinodo''', a pink rock cave which is easily navigable with installed staircases and costs \800, and the impressive '''Chiteiko''', which requires a tour from Higashi-san costing \4000.
  • '''Canoeing''' - The ponds on Minamidaito are naturally networked, creating a large canoe course.
  • '''Diving''' lessons are available from Borodino Diving Service, and gives a close-up view of the island's unique sea life. Prior diving experience is necessary.
  • '''Swimming''' - There are two natural swimming pools carved into the rock next to the sea, '''Kaigunbo''' and '''Shioya'''. During the low tide in spring and summer these are available for snorkeling and regular swimming.
  • '''Bird watching''' can be enjoyed from an observation tower next to one of the ponds, or from various other locations.
  • '''Work out''' - The sports center is free to use and has a weights room, running balcony, and a weekly schedule of sports including basketball, volleyball and badminton.
  • Daito celebrates most of the annual festivals of both Okinawa and Hachijo, the main event being the Honen Festival on September 22-23, featuring a shrine-bearing parade, a sumo tournament and a stage show.
  • Buy

    Most souvenirs are available at the airport.

  • Minamidaito's ''Cor Cor'' rum is one of the only brands of rum in Japan. There are two labels; red, made from the cane sap, and green, made with the refined sugar.
  • '''CD recordings''' of local talent, including Borojino Musume, are available.
  • Sea salt, sea essence, pressed local plants, sea jerky, t-shirts and picture books are amongst other memorabilia.
  • Eat

    Eating on Minamidaito is highly affordable and very good quality. Most meals only cost \300-1000. Fish is usually served on the day it is caught, and is well known on Okinawa for this.

    There are numerous eating houses, but they all offer roughly the same menu.

    Groups usually share their food and drink, as well as the cost.

  • '''Daito Soba''' (available at a restaurant of the same name) is highly reputed. A big bowl of thick ''soba'' noodles with a buffet selection of meat and vegetables costs only around \700.
  • '''Daito Sushi''' has a unique taste and a high reputation.
  • Vegetables are generally sweeter than in other places. Pumpkin and potato are the main vegetable produce.
  • Nawakiri soup (fish) is often the dish of the day.
  • Drink

    Beer and ''awamori'' are the favorites on Minamidaito. In the bars most beer is Okinawa's Orion Beer, although Yebisu can also be found. Most locals tend to have one glass of Orion then share out a big bottle of awamori.

    Chu-hi, the vodka fruit drink, is also in supply, and most bars also have other drinks if requested.

    The island's own produce, Cor Cor rum, is available but not often seen, probably because rum is unpopular with Japanese people.

    As for soft drinks, look for Daito's fresh shikwasa (bitter orange) juice.

    Sleep

    There are a few small hotels on Minamidaito, but the best choice for non-Japanese speakers is the larger Yoshizato Hotel, which is located in the centre of the village. Ask about a hotel package when booking your flight tickets.

    Contact

  • Minamidaito Visitor Center - Tel: 0980222432
  • Yoshizato Hotel - Tel: 0980222511
  • Get out

    There are two flights per day to Naha, with one connecting through Kitadaito. The ferry is cheaper but longer and with an unpredictable schedule.

    Flights occasionally do not run if the weather is bad - if an afternoon flight is canceled, then you will have to wait until the next day. Be careful about making reservations for immediately after your trip.