Japan is home to four main islands, but it’s also dotted with a multitude of archipelagos and smaller islets that stretch from the north to the southern tip of the country, which you can hop around to enjoy a plethora of sceneries beyond the largest main island, Honshu. From dense jungles to lush forests and beaches that stretch across the horizon, island hopping in Japan offers travellers a unique worldview beyond bustling cities and traditional Japanese architecture.
In mid to late spring, the warm temperatures and agreeable climate make it an ideal time to explore the hidden Japanese islands that line the Pacific Ocean and beyond. So ditch the swimming pools and water parks because here are some of the must-visit smaller islands you can’t miss on your next trip to Japan.
Ten Japanese Islands, from Art on Naoshima to Volcanoes on Hachijojima
- Ten Japanese Islands Compared: How to Get There and How Long to Stay
- Naoshima Art Island
- Awaji Island (Onion Island)
- Okunoshima Island (Rabbit Island)
- Ao Island (Cat Island)
- Miyajima Island (Itsukushima)
- Hashima Island (Gunkanjima)
- Tsushima Island
- Yakushima Island
- Ishigaki Island
- Hachijojima
Ten Japanese Islands Compared: How to Get There and How Long to Stay
| Island | Prefecture | Known for | Getting there | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naoshima | Kagawa | Benesse Art Site museums and outdoor art | Train to Uno, then a 15 to 20 minute boat (¥370) | A full day, ideally a night |
| Awaji | Hyogo | Creation myths, sweet onions, Nijigen no Mori | Bus from Sannomiya, or a 13 minute ferry from Akashi | A day |
| Okunoshima | Hiroshima | Wild rabbits and wartime ruins | Train to Tadanoumi, then a 12 minute ferry | A day trip |
| Aoshima | Ehime | Cats that outnumber residents | Ferry from Nagahama Port, two sailings each way a day | Between the morning and afternoon boats; no shops or hotels |
| Miyajima (Itsukushima) | Hiroshima | Itsukushima Shrine’s sea torii and Mount Misen | JR to Miyajimaguchi, then a 10 minute ferry (¥200) | A day, or a night in a ryokan |
| Gunkanjima (Hashima) | Nagasaki | An abandoned coal mining island | Booked tour boat from Nagasaki, about 50 minutes each way | A half-day tour |
| Tsushima | Nagasaki | Ancient fortresses, wildlife and Ghost of Tsushima | 30 minute flight from Fukuoka, or 2 hours 15 minutes by jetfoil from Hakata | Several days, with a hire car |
| Yakushima | Kagoshima | Ancient cedar forest and the Jomon Sugi hike | 40 minute flight from Kagoshima, or 2 to 4 hours by boat | Two days or more |
| Ishigaki | Okinawa | Manta rays, Mount Omoto and island hopping | Direct flights from Tokyo, Osaka and Naha | Several days, with a hire car |
| Hachijojima | Tokyo | Volcanoes, hot springs and exile history | About an hour’s flight from Haneda, or the overnight ferry from Takeshiba | Two days or more |
Naoshima Art Island
Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Naoshima, located in the Seto Inland Sea, is home to the renowned Benesse Art Site, which spans the entire island, offering visitors art that covers sculptures, paintings, architecture, and installations that turn the 8-square-kilometre island into a visual wonderland. With over 10 acclaimed art sites and a plethora of exhibits that include Yayoi Kusama’s iconic giant pumpkin, Naoshima is a dreamy world where art lovers can enjoy a creative respite away from the bustling metropolis. There is no other place in the world that houses the same amount of artistry as Naoshima, whether in a museum or idling in nature.
Within Naoshima, you’ll find a curation of museums and art galleries, including the compelling Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery: Time Corridors, which was designed to mimic the serene experience of traversing through time through a pathway surrounded by shallow waters. The Glass Tea House, “Mondrian,” which has been exhibited across the world through its elevation of the act of entertaining guests through tea, is the centrepiece of the exhibition.
Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
The island is also home to the Benesse House Museum, a facility that doubles up as a museum and hotel designed by the acclaimed Japanese architect Tadao Ando and opened in 1992. It boasts a collection of contemporary artwork both within and outside the building, with installations that stretch across the forests and shorelines. Yayoi Kusama’s yellow pumpkin sits at the end of a pier on the shore nearby.
Naoshima New Museum of Art, Tadao Ando’s Tenth Building for Benesse Art Site
The newest addition opened in spring 2025 on a hilltop near the Honmura district. Naoshima New Museum of Art is Tadao Ando’s tenth building for Benesse Art Site, a three-storey museum with two floors set underground, and it is the first museum to carry the island’s own name. It collects and commissions work by artists from across Asia, including Japan, and its opening line-up includes Cai Guo-Qiang, Takashi Murakami, Do Ho Suh and Aida Makoto. The current exhibition runs until 23 November 2026.
- Hours: 10:00am to 4:30pm, last entry 4:00pm
- Closed: Mondays (open on public holiday Mondays, then closed the next day)
- Entry: ¥1,500 booked online or ¥1,700 at the museum; free for children aged 15 and under
Tickets for all the Benesse Art Site museums are sold online, so book the New Museum alongside the Chichu Art Museum if you want to see both on the same day.
These two otherworldly experiences barely touch the surface of the artistry that can be explored on the island. For a full list of museums and attractions within and around Naoshima, visit the official website for more information.
How to Get to Naoshima Island
To get to Naoshima, start by taking a shinkansen to Okayama, which is about three and a quarter hours from Tokyo, around 45 minutes from Shin-Osaka in Osaka, and about an hour from Kyoto. From Okayama, take the local JR Uno Line train or an express bus to Uno, where you can buy tickets for Miyanoura Port on Naoshima Island. The car ferry takes about 20 minutes and the passenger boat about 15 minutes, and both cost 370 yen one way for adults. The last car ferry back to Uno leaves Miyanoura at 8:25 PM, with passenger boats at 9:15 PM and just after midnight (the late boat charges a higher night fare), so we recommend staying at a hotel in Naoshima if you want to enjoy the island after dark. View the ferry timetables here.
While Naoshima features plenty of modern art attractions, many local shops and some exhibits may only accept cash, so make sure to bring plenty of cash in case an ATM is not easily accessible from your location.
Awaji Island (Onion Island)
Photo: Mti, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Deeply rooted in ancient Japanese legends, Awaji Island is believed to have been the island of the Gods. An early Japanese chronicle, the Kojiki, told about the formation of Awaji by the gods Izanagi and Izanami, turning the Japanese island into an important spiritual and mythological destination. Naturally, it houses cultural attractions for those keen on immersing themselves in ancient Japanese mythology. On a lighter note, Awaji is also known as the onion island due to its unique local speciality: ultra-sweet and plump onions!
Some of Awaji’s most popular sites include Izanagi Jingu, one of the oldest shrines in the country. It is known as the resting place of the god Izanagi. Visitors interested in the ancient creation myth also typically go on a pilgrimage toward Onokorojima Shrine, Eshima, and Nushima, which are believed to have potentially made up the legendary Onokoro Island, an important location in Shinto that is said to be the birthplace of Japan.
Apart from destinations known even to legends, Awaji Island has made a name for itself among otaku and gamers for Nijigen no Mori, a theme park with areas for Godzilla, Naruto and Boruto, Dragon Quest and Crayon Shin-chan, plus a time-limited Attack on Titan area that runs until 13 December 2026. The massive theme park offers recreations of fan-favourite spots across Konoha (including the iconic Hokage Rock!).
It features a Dragon Quest Island that teleports you into memorable locations in the game. One of Nijigen no Mori’s most popular attractions is the Godzilla Interception Operation Awaji, where you can ride a zipline that flies into Godzilla’s body and perform missions within.
Image Credit: Nijigen no Mori
Additionally, due to the abundance of high-quality onions in Awaji, it hosts yearly onion-related festivals, including the Onion Slime Harvest Festival in the Dragon Quest Island in Nijigen no Mori and the Awaji Island Onion Festival, a spring menu of burgers made with Awaji onions that Mos Burger serves in its Kansai shops from late April, when onions are at peak harvest. The island is best visited in the spring and early summer to fully enjoy these festivities.
How to Get to Awaji Island
Awaji Island can be found in the Kansai region, close to Osaka. If you’re coming from Tokyo, you’ll have to head to either Osaka or Shin-Kobe via bullet train before transferring to the next mode of transport.
- By bus: From the Kobe Sannomiya Station, ride the bus bound for the Sumoto Bus Center in Awaji Island. Refer to this website for the timetables and pricing.
- By ferry: From Osaka, ride a train to Akashi, then ride a ferry bound for Iwaya on Awaji Island. The crossing takes about 13 minutes and passes under the scenic Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and you can bring a bike on board for 300 yen. Visit the website for timetables.
Okunoshima Island (Rabbit Island)
Photo: そらみみ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Okunoshima Island, located within the Seto Inland Sea a 12-minute ferry ride from Tadanoumi on the mainland of Hiroshima Prefecture, is marked by a history of producing chemical weaponry during World War II and the events that followed. Today, it is known as Rabbit Island, home to several hundred wild rabbits that freely roam around the area. Numbers rise and fall from year to year: the Ministry of the Environment counted 449 in early 2025.
Within the territory, you can directly interact with the wild rabbits, particularly around Kyukamura Okunoshima, the island’s resort hotel, but they roam across the expanse of the island. Feeding is allowed, but the visitor rules drawn up with the Ministry of the Environment ask you to stay and watch while the rabbits eat and to pick up any food they leave behind, because leftovers attract wild boar.
For a more scenic experience, rent a bike to enjoy the stunning shorelines, which are largely uncontaminated with brick-and-mortar views. Okunoshima has plenty of beaches, hiking trails, and campsites with paved paths, such as one that leads up to the Hyokkori Observation Deck for some of the best panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea.
Photo: Addy Cameron-Huff, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Despite being largely visited by animal lovers and rabbit enthusiasts, Okunoshima Island is also home to a variety of historical sites connected to World War II, such as the Okunoshima Poison Gas Museum and the ruins of the power plant that served the wartime gas factory. You’ll also find a ton of abandoned facilities from the war, bringing a new light to a piece of history marred with controversy. While it’s not possible to enter some facilities due to contamination, they are visible within sightseeing paths and can be viewed from a distance. Being a relatively small island, Okunoshima is a fantastic reprieve from the monotonous cityscapes and is small enough for a one-day experience.
How to Get to Okunoshima Island
Okunoshima Island is located in proximity to Hiroshima, which is about 1.5 hours away from Osaka by train. If you’re planning to visit the island from Tokyo, you may want to dedicate a few days to the Osaka/Kansai area, given the travel time.
Start by heading to Mihara Station via bullet train from Hiroshima or Osaka. From Mihara Station, take a train to Tadanoumi Station, walk to Tadanoumi Port, and purchase tickets for the ferry to Okunoshima, as well as rabbit food if you want to interact with the rabbits. The boat ride takes about 12 minutes, and timetables can be found on the official site.
Ao Island (Cat Island)
Photo: 暇・カキコ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Aoshima Island (commonly referred to as Ao Island or Cat Island) is one of the smaller islands in the country and is famously known as Japan’s cat island, where felines outnumber residents by anywhere from 10 to 36 times. The tiny island off the coast of Ozu in Ehime Prefecture was once a quiet fishing village where feline friends were introduced to take care of mice, but it has since become a popular destination frequented by cat lovers from all over the world. Do note that another Aoshima Island, known as the “devil’s washboard” and without the sought-after cat population, exists in Miyazaki Prefecture, so be careful not to confuse the two with one another.
Ao Island is a small one-mile strip that hasn’t been developed as a tourist attraction. With mostly shorelines, remnants of a once-thriving fishing village, a small shrine, and more cats than one can count, there isn’t much to see in this quaint destination, but it remains an incredibly well-loved place due to its massive population of cats, which visitors are free to interact with gently. While small, the island has influenced popular media, such as the Asase Shrine in Genshin Impact’s Inazuma.
Ao Island is a great place to enjoy the beautiful shoreline and a quiet, mostly abandoned neighbourhood. Cats are fed by the locals so feeding them is only permitted in a designated area in the community centre. We recommend bringing a toy to play with the felines to avoid overfeeding. Do note that due to the lack of development in the area, there are no restaurants or hotels to accommodate guests. Make sure to bring your own food and drinks, and carefully plan around ferry timetables to avoid getting stranded at night.
How to Get to Ao Island
Ehime Prefecture is generally quite far from popular tourist spots, but if you happen to be visiting the area, head to Matsuyama Station and board the train toward Iyo-Nagahama Station. From there, walk toward Nagahama Port, where you can ride a ferry to Aoshima Island. There are only two departure and return schedules, so be careful to plan your trip accordingly:
- Nagahama Port to Aoshima Island: 8AM and 2:30PM
- Aoshima Island to Nagahama Port: 8:45AM and 4:15PM
The boat carries only 34 passengers and runs on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early, especially at weekends.
Photo: 暇・カキコ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Alternatively, Japan is home to larger cat islands that offer more developed amenities. The feline population may not be as large as Ehime, but consider these options if you’re looking for somewhere closer to your intended destination:
- Ainoshima Island: Shingu, Fukuoka
- Tashirojima: Ishinomaki, Miyagi
- Enoshima: Kanagawa, close to Tokyo and Yokohama
Miyajima Island (Itsukushima)
Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Itsukushima, alternatively called Miyajima Island, is a small island off the coast of Hiroshima Prefecture. It’s situated within the Seto Inland Sea, which serves as a connection between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. Itsukushima Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is largely known for its iconic torii gate, which appears to float on water during the high tide and stand on land at low tide. Since the beginning of history, Itsukushima has been renowned for being a sacred place that holds religious significance, so the influences of Shinto can be seen throughout the island.
Image Credit: Miyajima Matsudai
While Miyajima Island is best known for the famous Itsukushima Shrine, it is also home to plenty of other historical sites, including the Buddhist Daisho-in Temple and the grand Senjokaku Hall that stands beside a five-storey pagoda. It’s also home to Mt. Misen, which has multiple scenic trails that offer visitors the chance to explore the beauty of Itsukushima’s natural environment. The Miyajima Ropeway also carries visitors up over the forested slopes of Mt. Misen, which are lined with beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring and incredible foliage in the autumn. Being a developed tourist destination, you’ll also find plenty of options for shopping, dining, hot springs, and accommodation.
Image Credit: Dive Hiroshima
Miyajima is an incredibly picturesque destination, with preserved Japanese architecture and narrow shopping streets that look like they’ve been taken out of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. Most tourists stop by for a few hours to catch the ferries to and from the island, but it’s worth spending a night in a traditional ryokan to experience the wonders of Japanese accommodation and private onsen. Under the moonlight, Miyajima turns into a quiet, dreamy town with lantern-lined paths.
How to Get to Miyajima Island
Itsukushima is located close to mainland Hiroshima, which is close to Osaka. Due to the travel time between cities, you may want to depart early if you’re staying in Osaka. A day trip is possible with careful planning.
Start by heading to Hiroshima Station and take the JR Sanyo Line toward Miyajimaguchi Station, which is the fastest option. From there, walk toward the pier, where you can board the JR Miyajima Ferry directly to Miyajima Island. The ferry crossing takes about 10 minutes and runs from early morning until late evening: the first boat leaves Miyajimaguchi at 5:00 AM and the last at 10:00 PM, and an adult one-way ticket costs 200 yen. Sailings that leave Miyajimaguchi between 9:10 AM and 4:10 PM follow the Great Torii route, which passes close to the floating gate.
Hashima Island (Gunkanjima)
Image Credit: Japan Travel
Hashima Island, commonly referred to as Gunkanjima (literally “battleship island”), is an abandoned, ruined island off the coast of Nagasaki. While there are over 500 abandoned islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, Gunkanjima is known for its battleship-like appearance, attracting many visitors for its historical intrigue. In 2015, it was inscribed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution, reviving its position in the tourism sphere.
Gunkanjima was a coal mining island from 1890 to 1974, its coal primarily fuelling the country’s thriving shipbuilding industry, hence why most of its perimeter is surrounded by destroyed concrete structures. At its peak in 1960, the tiny island housed 5,267 people, making it one of the most densely populated places in the world. The mine closed in 1974, and the island was abandoned altogether. Due to being surrounded by the ocean, Gunkanjima has experienced deterioration from natural disasters like typhoons, forming a post-apocalyptic-like landscape.
Photo: Nsxbln, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Today, you can go to Gunkanjima on a short day trip alongside a touring cruise. Being a highly conserved UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s not possible to explore the island outside of a tour. Outside of travel, the tour itself takes about an hour and is fully administered by a guide, so there are no opportunities to explore the island alone, primarily due to its crumbling state. There is a single route to explore the entirety of the battleship grounds, which takes you across abandoned facilities where you’ll primarily be viewing the exterior facades of the buildings, as entry may be dangerous. Hashima Island is a wonderful experience for people passionate about its historical roots and fans of post-apocalyptic sites, but do note that it is not a family-friendly destination.
How to Get to Gunkanjima
Gunkanjima is close to Nagasaki, which is about an hour and a half by train from Hakata in Fukuoka (limited express to Takeo-Onsen, then the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen) or a 4.5-hour bullet train journey from Osaka. The only way to get to the island is by booking a tour, which is inclusive of a 50-minute ferry ride to and from Gunkanjima. We recommend doing so in advance to ensure that you and your travel companions secure enough slots.
Tour groups operate across various ports around Nagasaki, some common areas being Nagasaki Port and Tokiwa Port. If you don’t have a reservation, it may still be possible to approach a ticketing office in either port and get same-day tickets if available. Some options for reservations include Gunkanjima Landing & Cruise and Klook. Due to the distance between Gunkanjima and other sightseeing spots in Japan, this island is best for visitors who are exploring the Nagasaki and Kyushu areas.
Tsushima Island
Image Credit: Hey Poor Player
Tsushima has a history of being a trading port, so it became a gateway for foreign influences to enter the country. Its position shows in the island’s unique flora and fauna, many of which are more closely related to species on the Asian mainland, including the Tsushima Yamaneko (the Tsushima leopard cat), which looks like a hybrid between a leopard and a cat. Visitors can enjoy a rare chance to see the beautiful feline in the Tsushima Wildlife Conservation Center in Saozaki Park.
Image Credit: Discover Nagasaki
Tsushima Island is also brimming with attractions, including the Kaneda Castle Ruins, the stone ramparts of a mountaintop fortress built in 667 overlooking Aso Bay. The island is also home to Watatsumi Shrine, a Shinto shrine to the sea god known for the torii gates that stand in the water of the bay. Since 23 March 2025 the shrine has refused entry to anyone who is not a parishioner or worshipper, and it has banned photography and filming of its sea torii and buildings, so it is no longer a stop for sightseers.
Tsushima is surrounded by uninterrupted nature, making it a dreamy destination for visitors who love hiking mountains, camping, kayaking, and exploring the woods and beaches. There are plenty of activities that can be done on the island, and amenities are relatively developed, making a multi-day stay possible. Despite the tourist-friendly accommodations, Tsushima largely feels like Japan from decades ago, especially in how newer architecture blends into the background, forging an old-world experience that isn’t quite like anywhere else.
Photo: irisgazer, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Due to Tsushima’s geographical distance away from other tourist sites, it’s relatively off the beaten path and doesn’t get too cluttered with tourists, even during peak seasons. However, it is a popular spot among Ghost of Tsushima fans who pooled over $250,000 to rebuild the torii gate of Watatsumi Shrine after it was damaged by a typhoon. You’ll find influences of the video game throughout the island; souvenir shops even sell Ghost of Tsushima merchandise! In Tsushima, we suggest renting a car or hiring a taxi as a chauffeur to help you explore every facet of the island, as scenic spots are far apart and public transport is only offered across limited routes. Guided tours are available, but mainly in Japanese and Korean.
How to Get to Tsushima Island
Tsushima Island is part of Nagasaki Prefecture, which is geographically closer to Fukuoka compared to other major tourist destinations like Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. You can get there via plane or ferry.
- By plane:
- Head to Nagasaki Airport or Fukuoka Airport and take a plane to Tsushima Airport. ANA and JAL fly from Fukuoka in about 30 minutes, and ANA flies from Nagasaki in about 35 minutes.
- By ferry:
- From Fukuoka Hakata Port, ride a ferry to Izuhara Port, calling at Iki on the way. The car ferry takes 4 hours 40 minutes and the high-speed Venus jetfoil only 2 hours 15 minutes, which we recommend taking.
- Alternatively, there is a route from Fukuoka Hakata Port to Hitakatsu Port (also in Tsushima), but it takes 5 hours 50 minutes, so we don’t recommend taking it.
Alternatively, Tsushima Island is closer to South Korea than to mainland Kyushu, and high-speed boats can take as little as 70 minutes to and from Busan. This route may be useful if you plan to hop between Japan and Korea. For more information about booking procedures and access, head to the Tsushima Tourism Association site.
Yakushima Island
Photo: Σ64, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yakushima Island makes up a portion of the Osumi Islands and is renowned for its large population of thousand-year-old cedar trees, mountain peaks, and a biodiverse natural environment that spans forest paths, mountain vegetation zones, and coral reefs. Around a fifth of the island is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On Yakushima Island, visitors can experience a plethora of natural wonders, such as the Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine, a natural park field with cedar trees and hiking trails, and a great diversity with a climate that ranges from subtropical to temperate. This forest served as inspiration for the acclaimed Studio Ghibli film, Princess Mononoke, where you’ll find an atmospheric resemblance between the movie and the real world.
Image Credit: Harvard Arboretum
The main attraction on the island is, fittingly, a giant cedar tree called Jomonsugi, which is believed to be between 2,000 and 7,000 years old. To get there, you’ll have to commit to a hike of about 10 hours that follows two trails: the old Anbo forest railway track from the Arakawa trailhead, then the Okabu trail. Along the way, you’ll encounter other plant life with historical significance, such as Wilson’s Stump, the stunning heart-shaped remnants of a giant cedar felled in 1586 on the orders of the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Due to the duration of the hike, overnight camping is permitted in designated huts around the perimeter of the Jomonsugi, such as the Takatsuka Hut. The scenery of Yakushima is cinematic year-round, with forested paths that make you feel like you’re exploring an overgrown elven forest amid the mystic fog.
For more laid-back travellers, Yakushima Island also offers a plethora of family-friendly activities. Pay a visit to the Yakushima Sea Turtle Hall, which houses extraordinary exhibits about sea turtles and marine conservation. A nature preserve called Yakusugi Land offers easy, scenic hiking trails that even kids are welcome to partake in. You can also enjoy the lush beaches and marine life on the island, with activities that include kayaking around the Anbo River or snorkelling to explore the underwater coral reefs.
How to Get to Yakushima Island
To get to Yakushima Island, you must first get to Kagoshima Prefecture via plane or shinkansen. The closest major tourist hub would be Fukuoka, and it takes less than 1.5 hours by shinkansen from Hakata Station to Kagoshima-Chuo Station. From Kagoshima Prefecture, you can take a plane or boat to Yakushima Island:
- By plane: Ride a 40-minute plane from Kagoshima Airport to Yakushima Airport. Flights are operated by Japan Air Commuter, part of the JAL group.
- By ferry: Ride a ferry from Kagoshima Port to Miyanoura or Anbo Port on Yakushima. The trip takes 2-4 hours, depending on the boat you choose. View ferry options and timetables here.
The cost of the fastest boat is similar to the cost of plane tickets, so travelling by plane is ideal if you don’t want to spend hours in a boat (approximately 12,000 to 14,000 yen as of March 2025). There are plenty of hotel and resort options on the island, so consider staying for more than a day to make the cost of the trip worth it.
Ishigaki Island
Image Credit: Visit Okinawa Japan
Ishigaki Island is situated within the Okinawan archipelago called the Yaeyama Islands, which make up Japan’s southern islands. Ishigaki serves as the primary transportation hub in the archipelago, with a more developed infrastructure to serve a larger number of inhabitants. The charming island is home to a variety of natural landscapes, from lush forests to incredible beaches where you can snorkel, dive, and participate in various watersports. It’s an enjoyable destination in the spring and summer.
Ishigaki is particularly known for the Manta Scramble, which sits at the northwestern point of the island where manta rays often congregate. It’s a popular spot among divers hoping to chance upon the majestic marine creatures. The island is also home to Mt. Omoto, the highest peak in Okinawa Prefecture. The two-hour hiking trail offers scenic views of the lush environment, from waterfalls to greenery, with steep ascents that challenge daring hikers.
Image Credit: Photo: Kugel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
While Okinawa Prefecture is dotted with islands, Ishigaki is an attractive option for travellers who want to visit a less crowded destination away from the hustle and bustle of the main islands. It’s also an incredible destination for hiking enthusiasts, as it’s one of the best islands in Japan to visit for hilly terrain and difficult hiking trails. Apart from its beautiful natural environment, Ishigaki Island also serves as a key destination for island hopping in Okinawa Prefecture, as it offers plane rides and ferries to other Yaeyama Islands, including Taketomi Island, Iriomote Island, Kohama Island, Hateruma Island, and Yonaguni Island.
How to Get to Ishigaki Island
There are no passenger ferries to Ishigaki from Okinawa’s main island, so you will need to fly. Direct flights run to Ishigaki Airport from Tokyo, Osaka and Naha, among other cities, where you can take a bus to the main city or a taxi to your accommodation. There aren’t a lot of public transport options in Ishigaki, so renting a car is highly recommended to get to sightseeing destinations.
From Ishigaki, you can ride a plane or ferry to nearby destinations within the Okinawa islands that make up the Yaeyama archipelago. You can also travel directly to Miyako Island, which is known for its incredible white sandy beaches.
Hachijojima
Image Credit: Tokyo Islands
Located within relative proximity to Tokyo, Hachijojima is a wonderful destination for taking a break from the concrete sights of the big city. It belongs to the group of Izu islands, which are known for their volcanic activity. With dramatic views where volcanoes and the sea converge, the volcanic island offers enchanting viewpoints, from lighthouses to historical monuments and unique flora and fauna. While Japan is brimming with unique islands, volcano islands like Hachijojima offer a beauty unknown to the typical tropics.
The island is home to the Hachijo-Fuji, a volcano that last erupted in 1605 and is still classed as active by the Japan Meteorological Agency, accessible by car or through various hiking trails, which range from two to seven hours. At the summit, you’ll be greeted by the stunning horizon and the magnificent crater, which has formed a lush forest after years of dormancy. Another area of interest is the Nambara Senjojiki, a scenic coastline with a field of lava that was formed during an eruption over 3,000 years ago.
Hachijojima is also home to various hot springs strategically close to sightseeing spots and a Botanical Park where you can find species unique to the island. In addition, the island is rich in history, with roots that date back to the Edo period, when criminals and political prisoners were exiled to the island. Visitors can experience remnants of its roots by visiting the Hachijo Island Museum of History and Folklore, where the island’s unique cultural, historical, and volcanic heritage is preserved.
How to Get to Hachijojima
Hachijojima is accessible via air or sea from Tokyo:
- By plane: From Haneda airport, take a one-hour plane ride to Hachijojima airport.
- By ferry: Tokai Kisen’s large passenger ship leaves Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo every evening at 22:30, calls at Miyakejima and Mikurajima overnight and reaches Hachijojima at 8:55 the next morning. The return sailing leaves Hachijojima at 9:40 and arrives back in Tokyo at 19:50. These are the times from 1 October 2026 to 4 April 2027, and sailings can change with the weather. The pier also services boats with destinations to the Ogasawara Islands. Visit this website for timetables.
There are limited bus routes in Hachijojima, and many parts of the island consist of unpaved roads, so it would be difficult to traverse by bike. We strongly recommend renting a car or, alternatively, joining a tour group to get around. From Hachijojima, it’s possible to go island hopping across other Izu islands, including Mikurajima and Miyakejima, by boat or helicopter.
