Kinkasan

What it is

• A holy island in the Pacific Ocean with a circumference of twenty-six kilometers
• One of the three holy sites of Oshu and part of Sanriku Fukko National Park
• Home to Koganeyama Shrine and a small population of five Shinto priests
• A protected habitat for wild deer and monkeys living across the island

What to see

• The Koganeyama Shrine complex located on the island slopes
• A historic lighthouse first lit in 1876
• The highest peak on the island reaching 444.9 meters
• The shrine reception hall which serves as the only local lodging

When to go

• October for the annual deer antler cutting ceremony

Getting there

• Ferries connect the island to Onagawa Port and Ayukawa Port

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.