Irabu Ohashi Bridge, Miyakojima, Okinawa, Japan

Bridge to paradise

The long bridges that connect one green gem to the next in this string of islands have made getting around easier, but travel writers note there is no crush of crowds in the Miyako Islands. That's good news for residents and visitors on the six major isles located in Japan's far southern Okinawa prefecture. The coastal waters here are remarkably transparent, and when the sun is shining (which is most of the time) it's hard to say which is brighter—the sea, the bright white sand, or the super-blue sky. These islands boast uncommon culinary treasures along with their natural splendor. One delicacy is 'umibudō' (sea grapes), a type of seaweed so delicately shaped and vividly colored that it’s been nicknamed 'green caviar.'