6 Islands in Kyoto worth your time

A scenic three-kilometer sandbar in Kyotango featuring white sands, ancient pine forests, and a relaxing hot spring resort.

What it is

• A three kilometer long sandbar separating the Sea of Japan from Kumihama Bay.
• Formed by rising sea levels following the end of the last ice age.
• Home to thousands of pine and silverberry trees planted by villagers since 1602.
• Recognized as one of Japan's Top 100 White Sand Green Pines locations.

What to see

• Rare coastal plants including the blue-flowered Veronica ornata growing along the shore.
• The Mitoguchi water channel which connects the inner bay to the open sea.
• The Minato Bridge which has spanned the local waters since 1981.
• Shotenko Onsen Kirara no Yu featuring sodium chloride and alkaline hot spring water.

When to go

• Summer months when the sandbar serves as a popular swimming beach.

Getting there

• Shotenko Station is located two and a half kilometers southeast of the sandbar.

Official site

www.syotenkyo.net

Read more about Shōtenkyō

An uninhabited island in Ine Bay featuring a shrine, historical naval ruins, and a scenic walking trail accessible with local guides.

What it is

• An uninhabited island in Ine Bay consisting of two landmasses connected by a bridge.
• A location formerly used for fish farming and as an Imperial Japanese Navy torpedo base.
• A protected site where visitors must be accompanied by local guides to land.
• A destination for fishing enthusiasts known for sea bream and squid in surrounding waters.

What to see

• Ebisu Shrine located on the island grounds.
• A walking trail that circles the entire island.
• Remnants of the torpedo base built by the Imperial Japanese Navy.
• The highest point of the island reaching an elevation of 48.3 meters.

When to go

• During the Ine Matsuri festival held on the island.
• During the Obessan festival period.

Read more about Aoshima

An uninhabited island and natural monument in Wakasa Bay serving as a sacred breeding ground for Streaked Shearwaters.

What it is

• An uninhabited island in Wakasa Bay also known as Oshima or Ryugujima
• A national natural monument designated in 1924 as a major Streaked Shearwater breeding ground
• The inner shrine of Kono Shrine and a sacred site for local residents
• A volcanic landmass composed primarily of andesite and volcanic rocks

What to see

• A remote prayer site for the island located at Kasamatsu Park
• The island's highest peak reaching 169.7 meters above the Sea of Japan
• Large populations of Streaked Shearwaters nesting across the 0.22 square kilometer area

When to go

• During the annual pilgrimage known as Ojima-mairi performed by local residents

Read more about Kanmurijima

A 3.6-kilometer pine-covered sandbar in Kyoto, celebrated as one of Japan's three most scenic views for over a millennium.

What it is

• A 3.6-kilometer sandbar separating Miyazu Bay from the Aso Sea in northern Kyoto.
• One of Japan's three most scenic views and a designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
• A natural urban park formed approximately 2,200 years ago following an earthquake.
• Part of the Tango Chirimen Corridor Japan Heritage site.

What to see

• Between 5,000 and 8,000 pine trees growing across the length of the sandbar.
• The Kaisen-kyo Bridge which rotates 90 degrees to allow ships to pass through.
• The Isoshimizu well which provides fresh water despite its location surrounded by the sea.
• A scenic landscape ranging from 20 to 170 meters in width.

Official site

www.amanohashidate.jp

Read more about Amanohashidate

An uninhabited island in Wakasa Bay featuring a historic shrine and popular waters for recreational fishing and local maritime traditions.

What it is

• An uninhabited island in Wakasa Bay within Maizuru City.
• The largest remote island located in Kyoto Prefecture.
• A former site for upland farming and harvesting natural Japanese yams.
• The location of Iruka Daimyojin shrine on the southern side.

What to see

• The Iruka Daimyojin shrine situated on the southern coast.
• Large fixed fishing nets installed on the eastern side of the island.
• A landscape reaching a maximum elevation of 187 meters.
• Surrounding waters used frequently for recreational fishing activities.

When to go

• June is when representatives visit the island shrine.

Read more about Keshima

An uninhabited island sanctuary and sacred inner shrine of Kono Shrine, famous for seabird colonies and historic ink paintings.

What it is

• An uninhabited island in Maizuru City also known as Mejima or Kimonjima
• The designated inner shrine of the historic Kono Shrine
• A protected wildlife area and natural monument of Maizuru City
• Two andesite islands named Bojima and Tsuriganejima covering 9,700 square meters

What to see

• Large breeding colonies of black-tailed gulls across the island
• The Tsuriganeywa reef located at the northern end of the site
• A dedicated prayer station for the island located in Kasamatsu Park
• The landscape depicted in Sesshu's famous ink painting of Amanohashidate

Read more about Kutsujima, Kyoto