11 Islands in Fukuoka worth your time

A small island near Kitakyushu famous for its large population of stray cats and ancient historical significance.

What it is

• A small island covering 0.68 square kilometers in the Kokurakita Ward of Kitakyushu.
• An ancient site mentioned as Aeshima in the Nihon Shoki chronicles.
• A local community supported primarily by sea bream, abalone, and sea urchin fisheries.
• A destination widely recognized for its high population of resident stray cats.

What to see

• Numerous stray cats that roam throughout the island's residential and harbor areas.
• A historical flag pole stand dating back to 1721, designated as a prefectural cultural property.
• Local island infrastructure including a single elementary school and a medical clinic.

When to go

• The Ainoshima Bon Dance is held as a city-designated intangible cultural property.

Getting there

• Take a regular ferry from Kokura for a journey of approximately 35 minutes.
• The ferry service connects the island to both Kokura and Umashima.

Read more about Ainoshima

A small island near Fukuoka accessible by foot at low tide, housing a sacred shrine dedicated to a sea deity.

What it is

• A small island located sixty to seventy meters off the Katsuma coast north of Shikanoshima.
• Home to Okitsumiya, a subsidiary shrine of the larger Shikumi Shrine.
• Dedicated to the sea deity Watatsumi to provide spiritual protection.
• A circular landmass measuring approximately one hundred forty meters in diameter.

What to see

• The Okitsumiya shrine buildings situated on the island grounds.
• A sandy beach located on the southern portion of the island.
• Rocky terrain and cliffs that make up the western side of the land.
• Dense natural vegetation growing from the center toward the northern edge.
• A temporary land bridge that appears when the tide recedes.

When to go

• Visit during low tide to walk across the sand to the island.
• Spring tides offer the best opportunity to see the land bridge fully emerge.

Read more about Okitsujima

An inhabited island in Fukuoka famous for its large population of stray cats and historic stone tumuli.

What it is

• An inhabited island covering approximately 1.22 square kilometers in Shingu Town.
• A historic port of call for Korean envoys located northwest of the Shingu coast.
• A small community home to 215 people and many stray cats.
• A nationally designated historic site featuring the Ainoshima Tumuli Group.

What to see

• Numerous stray cats living across the island landscape.
• Megane-iwa, a rock formation with a hole created by sea erosion.
• The Ainoshima Tumuli Group, which is a nationally designated historic site.
• Local primary and junior high school buildings serving the island residents.

Getting there

• Take a municipal ferry from Shingu Fishing Port to the island.
• The ferry journey takes approximately 17 minutes to complete.
• Note that cars cannot be transported to the island by the ferry.

Official site

www.town.shingu.fukuoka.jp

Read more about Ainoshima

A small granite island off the Itoshima Peninsula known for its history as a place of exile for Nomura Motoni.

What it is

• A small island covering less than one square kilometer northwest of the Itoshima Peninsula.
• Part of Itoshima City in Fukuoka Prefecture consisting mainly of granite and basalt.
• The historical site where poet and activist Nomura Motoni was exiled during the Bakumatsu period.
• A quiet community featuring a local elementary school and a junior high school branch.

What to see

• Mount Chizuyama which serves as the highest point on the island at 186 meters.
• The Hamayu welfare center which functions as a radiation emergency shelter for the community.

Getting there

• Take a municipal ferry from Kishi Port to Himeshima Port.
• The ferry crossing takes approximately sixteen minutes with four round trips available daily.
• Travel on foot as there are no buses or taxis available on the island.

Read more about Himeshima

Fukuoka's largest offshore island features a UNESCO World Heritage shrine site and is the legendary birthplace of the Tanabata festival.

What it is

• The largest inhabited offshore island in Fukuoka Prefecture covering seven square kilometers.
• Home to the Munakata Taisha Nakatsumiya Shrine and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• The legendary birthplace of the Japanese Tanabata festival.
• A community of five hundred residents focused on fishing and citrus agriculture.

What to see

• The Okitsumiya Yohaisho which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Mount Mitake which serves as the highest point on the island at 224 meters.
• A white lighthouse located near the scenic Kanzaki Cape.
• The historical remains of the Shimonoseki Fortress Oshima Battery.
• Local groves of Amanatsu orange trees across the island landscape.

Getting there

• A ferry connects Kominato Port to Oshima Port in twenty-five minutes.

Read more about Ōshima

A small fishing island in a quasi-national park offering a 1934 lighthouse and views from its 218-meter peak.

What it is

• A small island covering 1.16 square kilometers within the Genkai Quasi-National Park.
• A historic site where the Edo Shogunate established a watchpost in 1645.
• A quiet community of 353 residents primarily engaged in the fishing industry.
• A resilient location that underwent significant reconstruction following a major earthquake in 2005.

What to see

• A historic lighthouse originally constructed on the island in 1934.
• Mount Tomi, the highest point at 218 meters, offering views of the surrounding sea.
• The local fishing village and the island's elementary and junior high schools.
• A dedicated heliport used for emergency medical transport and island logistics.

Getting there

• Take a ferry from Hakata Pier for a 35-minute journey to the island.

Official site

genkaijima.com

Read more about Genkai Island

An inhabited island in Munakata known for its wild camellia forests, traditional fishing culture, and scenic hiking trails.

What it is

• An inhabited island covering 1.57 square kilometers in Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
• A fishing community of 122 people focused on sea urchin, seaweed, and abalone.
• Home to Itsukushima Shrine which enshrines the three Munakata goddesses.

What to see

• Approximately 6,000 wild camellia trees growing across the island landscape.
• Mount Tomi, the highest point on the island at 187 meters.
• A local medical clinic that has served the community since November 2016.

When to go

• Early March for the annual Camellia Festival when the wild flowers bloom.
• Late July to witness the traditional Gion Yamakasa festival celebrations.

Getting there

• Take the Munakata City ferry from Konominato Port to reach the island.

Read more about Jinoshima

A modern artificial island in Hakata Bay featuring high-rise towers, a central park, and a large botanical facility.

What it is

• An artificial island in Hakata Bay covering over 400 hectares.
• A planned district divided into residential zones and port facilities.
• Construction on the reclaimed land began in 1994.
• Home to major institutions including a children's hospital and a university campus.

What to see

• Several high-rise residential towers exceeding 150 meters in height.
• A central park and a dedicated botanical facility for visitors.
• The Fukuoka City Produce Market located within the port area.
• Three bridges and an expressway route connecting the island to the mainland.

Getting there

• Nishitetsu Bus provides public transportation services to the island.
• Fukuoka Urban Expressway Route 6 offers direct vehicle access since 2021.

Official site

island-city-miryoku.city.fukuoka.lg.jp

Read more about Island City

A historic island in Hakata Bay famous for seasonal flower displays, ancient ruins, and a 10-minute ferry ride from the city.

What it is

• A 12-kilometer island in Hakata Bay first mentioned in literature in 731 AD.
• Shirahige Shrine on the island enshrines Sumiyoshi Okami and Empress Jingu.
• A former Edo period deer hunting ground and home to ancient burial mounds.
• The final residence of writer Kazuo Dan during his later years.

What to see

• Extensive fields of rapeseed, cherry blossoms, and cosmos flowers throughout the year.
• Ancient Yayoi period pottery and kofun burial mounds located across the island.
• A historic climbing kiln used for producing traditional Noko-yaki pottery.
• Yara Cape where Sakimori guards were stationed during the Nara period.

Getting there

• Take a 10-minute ferry ride from Meinohama Port to reach the island.

Read more about Noko Island

A coastal island connected by sandbar featuring an ancient maritime shrine and the discovery site of a historic gold seal.

What it is

• An island in Fukuoka City connected to the mainland by a natural sandbar.
• Home to Shikaumi Shrine, the main sanctuary for all Watatsumi shrines.
• The site where a famous gold seal was discovered in 1784.
• A historic battlefield from the Mongol invasions of 1274 and 1281.

What to see

• Shikaumi Shrine which enshrines the three Watatsumi Sanjin deities.
• The three main local settlements named Shika, Hiro, and Katsuma.
• A bridge connecting the island to Saitozaki that has been open since 1930.

When to go

• Visit in April or November to witness the Kimi ga Yo kagura performances.

Getting there

• Take the Fukuoka City Ferry from Hakata Pier directly to the island.

Read more about Shika Island

A 24-hour offshore airport on an artificial island serving as a hub for Star Flyer and international cargo.

What it is

• A 24-hour facility built on an artificial island in Fukuoka Prefecture.
• The primary hub for the airline Star Flyer since opening in 2006.
• A backup landing site for Fukuoka Airport after its nightly curfew.
• An active base for the Japan Coast Guard and international cargo operations.

What to see

• A figure of Maetel from Galaxy Express 999 greeting visitors in the terminal.
• A long bridge connecting the artificial island to Kanda Town.
• Ongoing construction to extend the runway from 2,500 to 3,000 meters.

When to go

• The terminal and flight operations are accessible 24 hours a day.

Official site

www.kitakyu-air.jp

Read more about Kitakyushu Airport