【Resort Travelogue】Okinawa・Miyako Enjoying the specialty "Spiral Sand" at Irabu Ohashi Umika Station during a breathtaking drive

The popular local specialty "Spiral Sand," which had been trending on social media, can be found at "Irabu Ohashi Umika Station" on Irabu Island, just across the bridge from Miyakojima. This creates a memorable travel experience of eating this spiral sand at a stunning viewpoint overlooking the magnificent Irabu Ohashi bridge.

I want to fulfill my dream of eating "Uzumaki Sandwich" at Irabu Ohashi Seaside Station

As we plan a family drive around Miyako, there was one thing we decided on. That is to eat the famous "Uzumaki Sandwich" at the "Irabu Ohashi Seaside Station," located just after crossing the Irabu Ohashi from Miyako Island.

I saw a delicious-looking photo on social media of fluffy bread with white cream spiraling around it. I was determined to try it when I got there. This trip would be our first visit to Miyako as a family, and I also wanted the kids to experience the local specialties.

Upon crossing the Irabu Ohashi to Irabu Island, a large building with an orange roof immediately caught my eye. "That's it," I said, heading straight there without hesitation. It's about a 20-minute drive from Miyako Airport (and about 10 minutes from Shimojishima Airport). It's a convenient stop along our driving route.

A stopover spot located at the gateway to Irabu Island

Upon researching, it seems that "Irabu Ohashi Seaside Station" is a relatively new facility that opened in 2020. The building is marked by a blue wave pattern on its exterior, making it bright and approachable, easily recognizable as a "Seaside Station" even from afar. Inside, there are a restaurant and souvenir shops.

And the best thing about this ocean station is the view from here. You can get a panoramic view of the Irabu Bridge you just crossed. The bridge gracefully arches over the emerald green sea, extending towards Miyako Island. As I thought about how I had just driven over it, the scenery from a different angle was exceptional.

The children also pointed and said, "We crossed that bridge," as they gazed at the sea for a while. It was a luxurious moment to re-examine the path I had taken from a slightly distant spot. Even if you're crossing the bridge from Irabu Island, I recommend enjoying the full view here before you set off.

On the first floor, there’s a shop lined with local specialties from Irabu and Miyako Islands. There seem to be about 1,000 items available, including local sweets, seasonings, and seafood, making it fun just to browse. It's convenient for buying souvenirs all at once, and it might be nice to stop by during your drive rather than waiting until the end of your trip. There’s also a restaurant floor on the second floor, where you can take your time to enjoy a meal.

This ocean station is a reliable place for shopping, dining, taking a driving break, or seeking shelter from sudden rain. Its location, just after crossing the bridge, makes it easy to stop by as a transit point for sightseeing.

When we visited, families and couples touring the island by rental car were continuously coming and going. The restrooms were clean and well-maintained, making it a reassuring place to stop with children.

Here it is! Enjoying the famous "spiral sandwich" with the whole family.

After enjoying the view for a bit, it was finally time for the much-anticipated swirl sandwich. The moment I found it at the shop, I instinctively reached out and thought, "This is the one I saw on social media."

It's about the size of my palm and priced at 160 yen. It's a fluffy bread filled with white cream swirled inside. When I looked at the cross-section, it formed a "no" shape, and just looking at it lifted my spirits. Perhaps because of its simple appearance, it also evokes a sense of nostalgia.

Since it was just before lunch, we sampled one among the four of us. Taking a bite, the bread was surprisingly light and fluffy. The cream inside had a gentle sweetness, not overwhelming at all, just as I had hoped.

The kids immediately smiled and exclaimed, "This is delicious!" and polished it off in no time. Its flavor is not too sweet and doesn't linger, making it just right as a starter before lunch. Given its affordability at 160 yen each, I bought a few, but I could have bought even more. I'm glad it's a local specialty that's easy to buy.

It's a rare find, a combination of a stunning view and an easy-to-enjoy local specialty.

The memories of the journey are marked by such stopping spots after the exhilarating feeling of crossing the breathtaking bridge. It's a small joy, but while gazing at the bridge we've crossed, we enjoy a local delicacy before heading to the next destination. I felt once again that these casual moments represent the joy of the Miyako drive trip. For the children as well, the view of the bridge and the taste of the spiral sand will likely remain as one of the memories of their Miyako trip.

When crossing the Irabu Ohashi bridge, please stop by the "Irabu Ohashi Umika Station" to experience the breathtaking view and taste the spiral sand.

Irabu Ohashi Umika Station
Location: Irabu Ikemazoe, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: 20 minutes by car from Miyako Airport, 10 minutes by car from Shimojishima Airport
Business hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (open all year round), Dining: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (L.O. 4:30 PM)

Reporting and text by SYURI

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