This island is biggest in Miyako archipelago. I think that Shimoji island is a part of Irabu island because Shimoji island separates only a few meters from the Irabu island. There is an airport in Shimoji island for training pilots. But the training airplanes is decreasing year after year. (8/98)

[TRANSPORTATION]

AIR	12 minutes from Hirara Port in Miyako Island (every 1 hour frequently)
SHIP	25 minutes from Hirara Port in Miyako Island (every 1-2 hours frequently)