Miyako-jima (宮古島) is an island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It lies a few hundred miles east of Taipei, Taiwan. With an area of approximately 50 square miles, Miyako is the fourth-largest island in Okinawa Prefecture.

Miyako-jima is well-known for its beauty, particularly Higashi Hennazaki (Eastern Cape), which is considered by many one of the most beautiful spots in Japan. Miyako also has its own version of soba.

There is a unique festival called Pantu (パーントゥ), which occurs in the ninth month of the old (lunar) calendar. Three men dressed in grasses and mud go about smearing it everywhere. They carry sticks in one hand and a simple but scary masks in the other. Those people who have been dirtied by the Pantu will have a year of protection. Owners of new homes will also invite Pantu to give a 'blessing' to their homes.

The Miyako language, one of several Ryukyuan languages, originated here, though only a few words are in common use today.

External links

• Pantu in Japanese