The Miyara River is a scenic river on Ishigaki Island in southern Okinawa, famous for the mangroves that line its tidal stretch, and is among the island’s top natural attractions.  Along its lower reaches around the river mouth, dense mangrove forests (locally called hirugi) grow naturally on both banks, creating an almost jungle-like landscape. The grove includes several species of mangrove, such as Yaeyama hirugi, ohirugi, and mehirugi. The mangrove ecosystem along the Miyara River is designated as a national natural monument of Japan, recognized for its ecological value and biodiversity.