12 Islands in Shimane worth your time

A sacred uninhabited island and national natural monument famous for columnar rock formations and thousands of breeding black-tailed gulls.

What it is

• An uninhabited island in the Sea of Japan designated as a national natural monument.
• A sacred territory of Hinomisaki Shrine where Amaterasu Omikami was originally enshrined.
• A breeding ground for black-tailed gulls consisting of quartz keratophyre with columnar joints.
• A protected site where landing is prohibited except for specific Shinto rituals.

What to see

• Approximately 5,000 black-tailed gulls that nest on the island annually.
• Distinctive columnar joints in the volcanic rock across the island surface.
• Submerged ruins including stone steps located in the surrounding waters.
• Views of the island from a platform on the Hinomisaki promenade.

When to go

• Late November when the black-tailed gulls first arrive for the season.
• March to see the gulls laying their eggs on the island.
• Any time before July when the bird colony departs the area.

Read more about Fumishima

This uninhabited basalt island in Lake Shinji features a historic shrine and is famous for its sunset views.

What it is

• The only island in Lake Shinji, formed from basaltic lava twelve million years ago.
• An uninhabited island measuring one hundred and ten meters long and thirty meters wide.
• Home to a shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, established by Horio Tadaharu in 1611.

What to see

• A shrine dedicated to the deity Benzaiten standing on the island.
• Twenty pine trees planted across the island in 1935.
• Cylindrical Jodei stones used as wave-breaking blocks around the perimeter.
• Two Jizo statues located on the shore facing the island.
• Views recognized as one of Japan's Top 100 Sunsets.

When to go

• Visit during specific low-water events to walk directly to the island.
• Evening is the best time to view the sunset over the lake.

Getting there

• The site is a twenty-minute walk from Nogi Station.

Read more about Yomegashima

A 20-meter volcanic rock formation in Daisen-Oki National Park that resembles a lit candle when the sun sets behind its tip.

What it is

• An uninhabited island made of volcanic rock formed five million years ago.
• A natural monument standing approximately 20 meters high within Daisen-Oki National Park.
• A landmark that inspired the name of a local brand of salt.

What to see

• The sunset aligning with the rock tip to create the appearance of a burning flame.
• Distinctive geological formations across a land area of 0.0033 square kilometers.

When to go

• Sightseeing boats operate seasonally from April to October.
• Sunset is the essential time to witness the candle flame effect.

Getting there

• Paid sightseeing boats depart from Omosu Port and Fukuura Port.
• The boat journey takes approximately 20 minutes from the departure ports.
• A reservation is required to board the sightseeing boat service.

Read more about Candle Island

An uninhabited volcanic island connected by bridge, featuring ancient ruins, a shrine, white cliffs, and a scenic coastal walking trail.

What it is

• An uninhabited island in Chibu Village formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago.
• The site of Watatsu Shrine which enshrines the deities Isotakeru-no-mikoto and Chiburi-no-kami.
• A historical grazing ground for cattle and goats during the winter months.
• The location of ancient ruins where Yayoi period pottery has been discovered.

What to see

• The fifty-meter Omatsu-hashi bridge that connects the main island to this site.
• Distinctive white cliffs located along the northern coast of the island.
• A walking trail stretching over eighteen hundred meters to the tip of the island.
• The northernmost natural habitat of the Hamabou plant species.
• Watatsu Beach which is equipped with public showers, changing rooms, and toilets.
• Geological layers consisting of sedimentary rock, basalt, and trachyte.

Read more about Category:Shimazu Island

A scenic island in the Oki archipelago featuring dramatic coastal cliffs, historic shrines, and a unique man-made canal.

What it is

• A member of the Oki Islands in Shimane Prefecture covering fifty-five square kilometers.
• The primary setting for the Japanese film titled Bokuni Aitakatta.
• A rural community with a population of approximately three thousand four hundred people.
• An island known for having only one traffic light located near an elementary school.

What to see

• The Kuniga Coast which serves as a major tourist attraction on the island.
• Takuhi Shrine located within the island interior.
• The Funahiki Canal which was completed in nineteen fifteen.
• The Nishinoshima Bridge which has been open since April two thousand five.
• The Dozen Joint Government Building situated in the Urago district.

Getting there

• Ferries provide transportation between Shichirui Port and Beppu Port.

Read more about Nishinoshima Island

The largest of the Oki Islands, offering historic shrines and the temple where Emperor Go-Daigo stayed during his exile.

What it is

• The main island of the Oki Islands, covering over 241 square kilometers.
• Home to Okinoshima Town with a population of approximately 13,000 people.
• A historic location where Emperor Go-Daigo stayed at Oki Kokubunji Temple during exile.
• A coastal region featuring the important Saigo Port and a circumference of 211 kilometers.

What to see

• Oki Kokubunji Temple, the former residence of an exiled emperor.
• Tamawakasu-no-mikoto Shrine, one of the island's significant religious sites.
• Mizuwakasu Shrine, a notable spiritual landmark on the island.
• Saigo Port, a designated important port serving the Oki region.

Getting there

• Flights are available to Oki Airport from Osaka and Izumo.
• Oki Kisen operates ferry and high-speed boat services to the island.

Read more about Dōgojima

The southernmost Oki Island is a registered Global Geopark featuring dramatic red cliffs, a mountain peak, and unique local wildlife.

What it is

• The southernmost island of the Oki Islands and part of Chibu Village.
• A registered Global Geopark since 2013 covering thirteen square kilometers.
• Home to a population of approximately six hundred and twenty people.
• The only location within the Oki Islands where raccoons are found.

What to see

• Chibu Red Cliff, which is a nationally designated scenic spot.
• Mount Akahage, standing three hundred and twenty-five meters above sea level.
• Amasashihiko-no-mikoto Shrine, which enshrines the deity Okuninushi-no-mikoto.
• The endangered plant species known as Tauteyran.
• Kurii Port, which serves as the island's ferry connection point.

When to go

• Visit during April to see wild radishes blooming on Mount Akahage.

Read more about Chiburijima

Nakanoshima is a scenic Oki Island featuring the cremation site of Emperor Go-Toba and the rugged Akiya Coast.

What it is

• A major island in the Oki archipelago also known as Amatou
• The main island of Ama Town covering thirty-two square kilometers
• A historic site containing the cremation grounds of Emperor Go-Toba
• A rural community with a population of approximately twenty-four hundred people

What to see

• Oki Shrine which serves as a major facility on the island
• The Akiya Coast known as a notable tourist spot for visitors
• The historic cremation site dedicated to Emperor Go-Toba
• A coastline spanning approximately eighty-nine kilometers in circumference

Getting there

• Ferries connect Shichirui Port to Hishiura Port in three hours
• Local buses are operated across the island by Oki Ama Kotsu

Read more about Nakanoshima

A volcanic island in Lake Nakaumi famous for its extensive peony cultivation, ginseng history, and unique lava tube caves.

What it is

• A volcanic island in Lake Nakaumi with a circumference of approximately twelve kilometers.
• The primary producer of over eighty percent of the peony seedlings in Japan.
• A historic center for ginseng cultivation dating back to the Edo period.
• A landmass formed approximately 190,000 years ago featuring rare underground freshwater lenses.

What to see

• Yushien, a notable Japanese garden located on the island.
• Yuki-do Cave, a nationally designated Special Natural Monument.
• Ryukei-do Cave, a nationally designated Natural Monument.
• Mount Otsuka, the highest point on the island at 42.2 meters.
• Vast fields of peonies and ginseng crops across the landscape.

Read more about Daikon Island

A disputed volcanic island featuring steep cliffs, a lighthouse, and military facilities under South Korean administrative control.

What it is

• A volcanic island also known as Mejima or Higashijima formed millions of years ago.
• Part of the disputed Liancourt Rocks located in Okinoshima Town, Shimane Prefecture.
• A small landmass of 0.07 square kilometers reaching 98 meters above sea level.
• Site of a long-term territorial dispute with armed police stationed there since 1954.

What to see

• Steep volcanic cliffs and two large natural caves along the coastline.
• A functional lighthouse and a heliport used for island operations.
• A radar station and various weather observation equipment.
• A docking pier located 151 meters away from the neighboring West Island.

Read more about Eastern Liancourt Rocks

A volcanic island in Lake Nakaumi known for its basalt plateau and the famous steep-looking Eshima Ohashi Bridge.

What it is

• A small island measuring 1.16 square kilometers located in Lake Nakaumi.
• Part of Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture, situated northeast of Daikonshima.
• An ancient site recorded as Mukadejima in the Izumo no Kuni Fudoki.
• A volcanic landmass featuring a basalt plateau covered in volcanic ash soil.

What to see

• The Eshima Ohashi Bridge which has connected the island to Sakaiminato since 2004.
• A western plateau formed from basalt rock and volcanic soil layers.
• The surrounding waters of Lake Nakaumi visible from the island roads.
• An embankment road that provides a land connection to neighboring Daikonshima.

Read more about Eshima

An uninhabited island in Shimane Prefecture known for its lighthouse, rock fishing, and as a habitat for the Streaked Shearwater.

What it is

• An uninhabited island in Masuda City also known as Shichidojima.
• A former residential community where all inhabitants moved to the mainland in 1975.
• A natural habitat for the Streaked Shearwater bird species.
• A location consisting of two mountains with almost no flat land or rivers.

What to see

• A lighthouse constructed on the island in 1966.
• Rugged coastal areas currently used as spots for rock fishing.
• Two mountain peaks that define the island's steep landscape.

Read more about Takashima