Irabujima Island

　　We moved from Miyakojima Island to Irabujima island crossing Irabu bridge, which was built 4 years ago. At first, we visited Makiyama lookout, which is located at the highest point on the island. The following first picture shows the map of the island. The second one was shot on the bridge. I was able to see the whole view of the bridge and the Diamond Princess from the outlook. If you look at the third picture closely, you can see Kurimajima Island at the back of Irabu bridge.
　　Look at the map. You'll know two islands are on the map. The big one is Irabujima Island and the other is Shimojijima Island, on which a fairly large-scale airport is built. Its size seems to be wastefully big for this tiny island.To be honest, this airport was being used for training commercial pilots. I heard that lots of aviation fans had visited this tiny island to see the scene of touch-and-goes of big airplanes like the Boeing 747, what you call the Jumbo jet. I imagined its spectacular scene and detonating sound. FYI, the flight simulation device was developed and the trainees don't need to operate real planes now. So, this airport is used for public transport now.

宮古島から伊良部大橋を渡り伊良部島へ　まずは展望台へ向かう　１枚目は伊良部島の案内板。２枚目は橋の上で運転中に撮ったもの。展望台に上がると、伊良部大橋とその向こうに先ほどまでいた来間島が見える。また、ダイヤモンド・プリンセスも。

案内板をよくみると、これは一つの島ではなく、二つの島が載っている。大きい方が伊良部島で、小さい方は下地島Shimojijima。ここには立派な空港があり、かつては旅客機の操縦訓練に使われていた。今は操縦訓練はシミュレーション装置で出来るようになり実際に飛行機を飛ばさなくても訓練できるようになり、この空港は民間空港として利用されているが、有事の際には当然ながら軍事用にも使われるはず。ここではかつてはジャンボジェットのタッチ・アンド・ゴーなどを見ることができ、航空ファンを魅了したらしい。