5 Islands in Aomori worth your time

A coastal shrine and National Natural Monument where 40,000 black-tailed gulls breed on a former island connected to the mainland.

What it is

• A former island connected to the mainland in 1942 and designated as a National Natural Monument.
• The site of Kabushima Shrine, which was founded in 1269 to enshrine three goddesses.
• An annual breeding ground for approximately 40,000 black-tailed gulls within a national park.
• A 300-meter long landform featuring a shrine building recently rebuilt in 2020.

What to see

• Massive colonies of black-tailed gulls nesting across the 19-meter high island.
• The newly reconstructed shrine buildings situated at the top of the island.
• Views of the surrounding Sanriku Fukko National Park and the Hachinohe coastline.

When to go

• Late February to August to see the black-tailed gulls during their breeding season.
• The third Sunday of April for the annual Kabushima Festival.

Getting there

• A 15-minute walk from JR Same Station leads directly to the site.

Read more about Kabushima

An uninhabited reef group in the Sea of Japan known for its lighthouse and rich fishing grounds for tuna.

What it is

• A group of three uninhabited reefs located thirty kilometers west of Fukaura.
• Consists of the reefs Kamino-shima, Shimono-shima, and Jibu-no-shima.
• Officially incorporated into Aomori Prefecture in 1953 with shared fishing rights.
• A habitat for bluefin tuna and abalone that once hosted Japanese sea lions.

What to see

• The Kyūroku-jima Lighthouse which has been operating since 1959.
• Kamino-shima reef which stands five meters above the sea level.
• Surrounding waters where the island partially sank after a 1983 earthquake.

Getting there

• Visitors must charter a fishing boat to reach the islands from the mainland.

Read more about Kyūroku-jima

An uninhabited island in Mutsu Bay featuring a lighthouse and unique marine life where warm and cold currents meet.

What it is

• Uninhabited island in Mutsu Bay within Shimokita Hanto Quasi-National Park
• Designated as a marine park since December 1975
• Consists of two main parts known as Bentenjima and the Tateiwa rock
• Surrounding waters serve as a spawning ground for Pacific cod

What to see

• The Mutsu Bentenjima Lighthouse standing on the island
• The Tateiwa rock formation which underwent erosion prevention construction
• Diverse marine organisms from both warm and cold currents
• Views of the island located 800 meters off Ushino-kubi Cape

When to go

• Sightseeing boats operate annually from April 15 to October 14

Read more about Taijima

A small island at Cape Tappi featuring a shrine and legendary ties to the warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune.

What it is

• A small island located at the tip of Cape Tappi in Sotogahama Town.
• The site is a setting for legends regarding the historical figure Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
• Most of the land on the island consists of reclaimed ground.
• A concrete bridge connects the island to the mainland for cars and pedestrians.

What to see

• The Tappi Bentengu shrine located on the island grounds.
• A television relay station that began digital broadcasting in 2010.
• Views of the surrounding Tsugaru Strait and the Sea of Japan.
• The nearby staircase section of National Highway 339.

Read more about Obijima

An uninhabited island sanctuary off Oma Cape featuring a historic lighthouse, a shrine, and unique cross-regional biological species.

What it is

• An uninhabited island located six hundred meters off the coast of Oma Cape.
• A sanctuary for wild birds formerly known as Toriijima.
• The site of a shrine dedicated to the deity Benzaiten.
• A unique location where both Honshu and Hokkaido biological species coexist.

What to see

• The Oma Cape Lighthouse established in nineteen twenty one.
• A shrine dedicated to Benzaiten located on the island.
• Diverse wild bird populations inhabiting the two point seven kilometer circumference.
• The Kukido Strait which separates the island from the mainland.

Read more about Bentenjima