9 Islands in Kumamoto worth your time

A small basalt island in Kumamoto known for its large cat population and historical role in the Shimabara Rebellion.

What it is

• A flat table-shaped island formed from basalt located between Oyano Island and Shimabara Peninsula.
• Commonly nicknamed Dango Island because of its history during the Shimabara Rebellion.
• A destination known as Cat Island home to approximately two hundred resident cats.
• Part of Kamiamakusa City situated nine kilometers offshore from the mainland.

What to see

• The Yushima Lighthouse which was first lit in December nineteen sixteen.
• A local community where five surnames account for the majority of the population.
• The island landscape spanning a circumference of approximately three point five kilometers.
• Local public buildings including an elementary school and a junior high school.

Getting there

• Regular ferries depart five times daily from Ebito Port.
• The ferry journey from the port takes approximately twenty-five minutes.

Read more about Yushima

A quiet island in Unzen-Amakusa National Park known for ancient fossils, rare wildlife, and a three-hundred-year-old monument tree.

What it is

• A populated island located in the Yatsushiro Sea within Unzen-Amakusa National Park.
• The island name originates from a historic ranch owned by the Sumoto clan.
• The landscape contains geological strata dating back to the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods.
• Home to endangered species including the milky fiddler crab and diverse marine life.

What to see

• A three-hundred-year-old Ficus superba tree designated as a city natural monument.
• The Nakaseto Bridge which provides a physical connection to neighboring Goshoura Island.
• Fossil discovery sites where ammonites and Coryphodon remains have been unearthed.
• Local agricultural displays of citrus fruits such as the Dekopon variety.

When to go

• Visit during the summer months to attend the local island festival.
• The Shima-aji Marathon is held annually for runners and visitors.

Read more about Maki Island

This island in the Amakusa archipelago offers national park views, historical ties to Amakusa Shiro, and local aquaculture industries.

What it is

• The third largest island in the Amakusa archipelago within Kumamoto Prefecture.
• A part of the Unzen-Amakusa National Park featuring diverse coastal landscapes.
• The historical territory of the Oyano clan during the medieval period.
• The reputed birthplace of the historical figure Amakusa Shiro.

What to see

• Mount Tobidake which serves as the highest point at 229 meters.
• The Tenmon Bridge connecting the island to the Uto Peninsula.
• Active aquaculture sites producing prawns, yellowtail, and pearls.
• Scenic views along National Route 266 which passes through the island.

When to go

• The Amakusa Pearl Line Marathon is held annually every March.

Getting there

• Kyushu Sanko Bus provides transportation from Kumamoto and Hondo.
• Access is available via the Tenmon Bridge from the Uto Peninsula.

Read more about Ōyano Island

A rural island in Kumamoto connected by bridge, known for its orchid cultivation, citrus groves, and ancient shell mound ruins.

What it is

• A small island in the northern Yatsushiro Sea belonging to Uki City.
• A former independent village that became part of the mainland municipality in 1955.
• An agricultural hub specializing in orchids, snapdragons, and marguerite flowers.
• A center for local aquaculture producing clams and prawns.

What to see

• The Hamansu Shell Mound containing pottery and bones from the Jomon period.
• Extensive greenhouses dedicated to the cultivation of various orchid species.
• Agricultural fields growing mandarin oranges and sweet summer oranges.
• The Tobase Bridge which connects the island to the Uto Peninsula.

Getting there

• Access the island via the new bridge that opened in March 2019.
• Local public transportation is limited to a reservation-based shared taxi service.

Read more about Tobase Island

Japan's third largest island offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, warm climates, and major urban centers across seven southwestern prefectures.

What it is

• One of the four main islands located in the southwestern part of Japan.
• A region historically known in ancient texts as Tsukushinoshima.
• A large landmass consisting of seven prefectures with over twelve million residents.
• The third largest island in the Japanese archipelago bordered by the Pacific Ocean.

What to see

• Mount Aso featuring one of the world's largest volcanic calderas.
• Mount Nakadake which serves as the island's highest point at 1,791 meters.
• Fukuoka City which is the largest urban center in the region.
• Diverse coastal views along the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea.

When to go

• Summer months experience high rainfall across the seven prefectures.
• The climate is generally warm throughout the year for visitors.

Read more about Kyushu

A small uninhabited island and national scenic spot mentioned in ancient Japanese chronicles and poetry collections.

What it is

• An uninhabited island located near the Kuma River estuary in Yatsushiro City.
• A designated national scenic spot mentioned in the ancient Nihon Shoki and Manyoshu texts.
• The site where Emperor Keiko reportedly visited during his travels.
• A location historically known for a natural spring that dried up around 1955.

What to see

• A small bridge connecting the embankment to the island for pedestrian access.
• A stone monument marking the site of the former natural spring.
• Scenic views of the surrounding water and coastal landscape.

Getting there

• Thirteen minutes by taxi from Higo-Koda Station.
• Located 5.5 kilometers from the Yatsushiro-minami Interchange.
• Accessible on foot via a bridge from the mainland embankment.

Read more about Mizushima

A coastal island in Amakusa known for its medieval history as a home for interpreters and its diverse marine seagrass beds.

What it is

• A small island located at the northern tip of Amakusa Shimoshima in Kumamoto Prefecture.
• The name originates from interpreters who lived on the island during medieval times.
• Connected to the mainland by the Tsuji Ohashi Bridge which opened in 1975.

What to see

• Diverse seagrass and seaweed beds located along the coastal areas.
• The Tsuji Ohashi Bridge which allows visitors to cross onto the island on foot.

Getting there

• A thirty-eight minute bus ride on the Sanko Bus from Hondo Bus Center.
• A fifteen minute drive from Amakusa Airport to the island.
• Two and a half hours from Kumamoto City by car.
• Ferries connect Shimabara Kuchinotsu Port to Oniike Port, located six kilometers away.

Read more about Tsūji Island

An inhabited island in the Yatsushiro Sea known for its significant dinosaur fossil discoveries and Cretaceous museum.

What it is

• An inhabited island in the Yatsushiro Sea with a population of 1,786 people
• Known as Dinosaur Island and Fossil Island following major discoveries in 1997
• Home to the Goshouura Cretaceous Museum which displays local fossil finds

What to see

• A Tyrannosaurus head object located at Goshouura Port
• Karasu-toge, which is the highest peak on the island
• Fossils and prehistoric displays at the Goshouura Cretaceous Museum

When to go

• The Shima-aji Marathon is held annually every February

Getting there

• Regular ferry services connect the island to various mainland ports
• Local bus services are operated on the island by Goshouura Taxi

Read more about Goshourajima

A quiet island in the Amakusa archipelago featuring mountain peaks, ancient burial mounds, and local prawn aquaculture farms.

What it is

• A residential island in the northern Amakusa archipelago also known as Senzoku Zouzou Island.
• An independent municipality from 1881 until it merged into Oyano Town in 1954.
• A local center for the kuruma prawn aquaculture industry.
• Home to the Senzaki Burial Mounds and local educational facilities.

What to see

• The ancient Senzaki Burial Mounds located on the island.
• Mount Takayama and Mount Daikan which provide natural elevation.
• The Todai-i Bridge connecting the island to neighboring Yagyu Island.
• Local prawn aquaculture farms situated around the island coast.

Read more about Iwa Island