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 travelers 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.
- 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
Naoshima Art Island
Image Credit: Conde Nast Traveler
Naoshima, located in the Seto Inland Sea, is home to the infamous Benesse Art Site, which spans the entirety of the island, offering visitors art that spans sculptures, paintings, architecture, and installations that turn the 8-square-kilometer 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 reprise away from the bustling metropolitan. 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, 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 centerpiece of the exhibition.
Image Credit: urbanNext
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. It boasts a collection of contemporary artwork both within and outside the building, with installations that stretch across the forests and shorelines. It also owns Yayoi Kusama’s giant pumpkin installation segmented in a nearby wharf.
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 accessible via a two to three-hour ride from popular destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. From Okayama, take a taxi, train, or express bus bound for Uno, where you can purchase tickets bound for Miyanoura Port on Naoshima Island. The ferry only takes approximately 20 minutes to arrive, but the last ferry back to Okayama usually leaves at 8 PM, so we recommend staying at a hotel in Naoshima if you want to enjoy late-night attractions. 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)
Image Credit: Tasting Table
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 specialty: 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.
Image Credit: Awaji Island West Coast
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 exhibits for Godzilla, Monster Hunter, Naruto, Dragon Quest, Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba), Crayon Shin-chan, and other popular titles. The massive theme park offers recreations of fan-favorite spots across Konoha (including the iconic Hokage Rock!).
It features a Dragon Quest Island that teleports you into memorable locations in the game and a Monster Hunter Field where you can team up with others to hunt down monsters in a life-sized virtual experience. 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 held by Mos Burger annually in mid-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 and is within proximity 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. This route will take you across the scenic Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and it’s possible to bring a bike on board for a small fee. Visit the website for timetables.
Okunoshima Island (Rabbit Island)
Image Credit: Country Life
Okunoshima Island, located within the Seto Inland Sea just 15 minutes away from mainland Hiroshima, is marred with a history of producing chemical weaponry during World War II and the events that followed. Today, it has been rebranded into a rabbit island that houses over 1,000 wild rabbits that freely roam around the area.
Within the territory, you can directly interact with the wild rabbits, primarily within the vicinity of the National Park Resort Hotel, but they roam across the expanse of the island. Unlike the cat island, where feeding is limited due to concerns around overfeeding, you can bring as many pellets as you’d like to feed the rabbits of Okunoshima.
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.
Image Credit: Mad or Nomad
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 Poison Gas Museum and remnants of a chemical power plant. 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)
Image Credit: Skratch
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 between 10 to 36-fold. 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 care. 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 neighborhood. Cats are fed by the locals so feeding them is only permitted in a designated area in the community center. 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
Image Credit: Japan Cheapo
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)
Image Credit: Amnet Travel
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. The location has been branded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is largely known for the iconic torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, which appears to float on water during the high tide and stand on land on the 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 Kisen Tourist Ship
While Miyajima Island is best known for the infamous 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-story pagoda. It’s also home to Mt. Misen, which has multiple scenic trails that offer visitors the chance to explore the beauty of Itsukishima’s natural environment. Multiple ropeways are also available to view the forested trails leading up to Mt. Misen, which are lined with beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring and incredible foliage in the fall. 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 departs in multiple time slots between 9:10 AM and 4:10 PM, so plan your travel time accordingly.
Hashima island (Gunkanjima)
Image Credit: Japan National Tourism Organization
Hashima Island, commonly referred to as Gunkanjima (literally “battleship island”), is an abandoned, ruined island within proximity to 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 branded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reviving its position in the tourism sphere.
Gunkanjima has roots as a coal mining site in the 1800s, primarily for fueling the country’s thriving shipbuilding industry, hence why most of its perimeter is surrounded by destroyed concrete structures. At its peak, the tiny island housed over 5,000 people, making it one of the most densely populated places in the world. In the late 1900s, the coal eventually ran dry, 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.
Image Credit: Gakuranman
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 accessible via a two-hour train from Fukuoka or a 4.5-hour bullet train 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
Nestled between the Kyushu and Korean Peninsula, Tsushima Island has historical significance through the Battle of Tsushima during the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. It also influenced a popular video game called Ghost of Tsushima, where many of the in-game locations mimic those in the real world.
Tsushima has a history of being a trading port, so it became a gateway for foreign influences to enter the country. This is evident in the island’s unique flora and fauna, many of which were introduced from other parts of Asia, including the Tsushima Yamaneko (also called the Tsushima 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––a remnant of an ancient fortress that features a coliseum-like facade––and the sacred Watatsumi Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sea god, with five torii gates that appear partially submerged in water during the high tide, and on land in the low tide. If you’ve played Genshin Impact, you may be familiar with the similarly-named Watatsumi Shrine in Inazuma, which is conceptually similar to the one in Tsushima.
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.
Image Credit: Klimbing Korean Mountains
Due to Tsushima’s geographical distance away from other tourist sites, it’s a relatively off-beaten path that 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 offers flights with these routes.
- By ferry:
- From Fukuoka Hakata Port, ride a ferry to Izuhara Port. There is a slower boat that runs for 4.5 hours and a high-speed Jetfoil that only takes 2.25 hours, which we recommend taking.
- Alternatively, there is a route from Fukuoka Hakata Port to Hitakatsu Port (also in Tsushima), but it takes 5.5 hours, so we don’t recommend taking it.
Alternatively, Tsushima Island is closer to Korea than Japan, and it 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
Image Credit: Remote Lands
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, vertical plantations, and coral reefs. One-fifth of the island has been branded 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: Arnold 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 10-hour hike that includes two trails: Anbo and Okabu. Along the way, you’ll encounter other plant life with historical significance, such as Wilson’s Stump, the stunning heart-shaped remnants of a cedar tree that reportedly fell over three hundred years ago. 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 travelers, 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 snorkeling 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 JAL and ANA.
- 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 traveling 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 Mantra 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: One Ocean Expedition
While Okinawa Prefecture is riddled with islands, Ishigaki is an attractive option for travelers 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
The only way to get to Ishigaki is by plane from Tokyo, Osaka, or Okinawa. From any of the three hubs, ride a plane to Ishigaki Airport, 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 dormant volcano 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.
Image Credit: Tokyo Cheapo
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 Japanese criminals and political exiles 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: From Takeshiba Pier, ride an overnight boat to Hachijojima’s Sokodo Port. The ride takes 10.5 hours. 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.
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