Oki area

Sightseeing spots (priority areas)

Jodogaura Coast (Okinoshima Town)

  • 浄土ヶ浦
  • 浄土ヶ浦
  • 浄土ヶ浦

The northeastern part of the coast, displaying several islands of varying shapes and colors modified through processes of weathering and erosion, is a national place of scenic beauty. It is said that when the Buddhist monk, Ikkyu Soujun visited, he extoled the beauty of the place, calling it a paradise, hence the name ‘Jodogaura’.

Kuniga Coast (Nishinoshima Town)

  • 国賀海岸
  • 国賀トレッキング
  • 通天橋

The whole northwestern side of the coast of Nishinoshima is made up of cliffs and caves that were formed from coastal erosion. You can enjoy magnificent scenery stretching for 7 meters, including the 257-meter-high precipice ‘Matengai’ and the giant arch-shaped rock ‘Tsutenbashi’. Around the top of the towering cliff there is gently sloping terrain where cows and horses are grazing. Also, you can enjoy trekking along the path between Kuniga beach and Matengai cliff.

Sekiheki cliff (Chibu Village)

  • 赤壁
  • 虹の赤壁
  • 赤壁

Along the west coast of Chibu Village you can enjoy the brilliantly-colored red and white wall surface, formed from volcanic activity, of several cliffs varying in height between 50 and 200 meters. At the center is the Sekiheki cliff, whose rock surface, when bathed in the light of the evening sun, shines a bright crimson red.

Akiya Coast (Ama Town)

  • 明屋海岸 ハート岩
  • ハート岩
  • ハート岩

There is a myth surrounding Akiya Coast that a goddess gave birth here.  Also, the strangely-shaped rocks of Tarai-iwa and Byoubu-iwa can be seen. The Byoubu-iwa that hollowed out due to erosion forming a heart-shaped rock has become popular as ‘The heart rock’. In Summer, the place is ideal for bathing, and has a municipal campsite. Many visitors from inside and outside of the prefecture come here.

Recommended sightseeing spots

Shirashima Coast (Okinoshima Town)

At the northernmost point of Dogo Island, the contrast of the white color of the rock surface and the blue color of the sea is beautiful. The area is dotted with the islands of Okinoshima, Matsushima, and Shirashima, and many marine caves can be seen. Also, from Shirashima Coast Lookout, the mysterious sight of various types of plants, for example, northern and southern hemisphere, and continental types, can be enjoyed.

Rosoku-jima ‘Candle Island’ (Okinoshima Town)

This small island located in the Ojirobana Offing northwest of Dogo Island resembles a candle when the evening sun rests on top, hence the name ‘Candle Island’. This scene can be seen from the sightseeing boat.

Shizen-kaiki-no-mori Forest (Okinoshima Town)

Around Mt. Daimanji and on the northern side of Washigamine Peak, there is a natural forest of cedar trees between 300 and 400 years old. A natural growth area for Oki rhododendron, and a treasure trove of wild plants and animals, along the mountain path you can enjoy the fantastically-shaped rocks of Byobu-iwa and Tokage-iwa.

Oki rhododendron (Okinoshima town)

Endemic to Oki, the rare species of Oki rhododendron growing around the Mt. Daimanji area is a designated prefectural nature conservation area.  The pretty pink color of the flower can be seen between the months of April and May.

Yui Pond (Okinoshima Town)

Yui Pond is an almost circular pond of 250 meters in diameter that formed after a landslide. A habitat of wetland plants and dragonflies, it is also a landing zone for wild birds. An excellent wetland for plant and animal watching, daffodils blossom between the months of January and February.

Dangyo-no-taki Waterfalls

This waterfall has been listed as one of the best 100 waterfalls of Japan and one of the best 100 natural water sources. There are two waterfalls, the smaller one Medaki, being of 40 meters, and the larger one Odaki, of 50 meters. Odaki is a type of Urami-no-taki, where you can go to the basin of the waterfall and watch the water fall from behind.

The Katakuri (dogtooth violet) of Ozuku (Okinoshima Town

Close to Yui Pond, in the evergreen forest area of Ozuku over an area of 3000 square meters, 10,000 Katakuri (dogtooth violet) flowers grow gregariously. The charming pink color of these flowers can be enjoyed from March end to mid-April.

Chichi-sugi Japanese Cedar (Okinoshima Town)

This old cedar of 800 years having sprouted 15 new roots, is a mysterious tree. The atmosphere surrounding the tree after it is wrapped in a fog when the rain has lifted, is a particularly magical scene.

Takuhi shrine (Nishinoshima Town)

Takuhi Shrine on the mountainside of Mt. Takuhi, 452 meters above sea level, is, since the Heian period, believed to be the guardian deity of marine safety. It became a national important cultural asset in 1992.

Saburo-iwa Rocks (Ama Town)

At the northeastern side of Hishiura port, the three rocks standing vertically of large, medium and small sizes are commonly known as Saburo-iwa by the islanders. They can be seen from the Amanbow underwater viewing boat.

Mt. Akahage (Chibu Village)

The highest peak on Chibu Village known for its beautiful pastureland landscape. From the mountaintop observatory, accessible by car, a beautiful 360°panoramic view of the Sea of Japan can be enjoyed, and on a clear day you can see Shimane peninsula. The ground being covered in a riotous profusion of No-daikon in Spring, and Tsurubo (Japanese jacinth) in Summer, is a spectacular sight to see.

The Yao-sugi of Tamawakasu-no-mikoto Shrine (Okinoshima town)

According to legend, the long-lived Buddhist priestess Yaobikuni planted the seeds of the cedar and said ‘in 800 years, we’ll come here again’ hence the name Yaosugi (literally 800-year-old cedar). This large cedar, said to be several hundred years old, won’t fail to impress.

Kabura-sugi Japanese Cedar

38 meters in height and with a trunk circumference of 9.3 meters, this Kabura-sugi is a prefectural protected species. Sprouting six roots from the trunk and shooting straight up into the sky, it is said to resemble a Kabura-ya (turnip-headed arrow), hence the name.

Yononaka Zakura

15 and 13 meters high, with a trunk circumference of 4 and 3 meters, the Yononaka Zakura comprises the white flowered O-Zakura and the light pink flowered Me-Zakura. A sakura thought to forecast the year’s harvest by the nature of the flowers’ blooming, it was even known by the Edo Shogunate as ‘Yononaka shirase Zakura’.

Geopark Center

1 min. on foot from Saigo Port, the facility introduces the characteristics of the natural environment of Oki Islands Global Geopark and guides tourists.

Shimazushima Island

An elongated uninhabited island 1 km long and 500 meters wide with a campsite and seaside swimming areas. There is also a walkway where you can enjoy flower- and tree-viewing and great sunset-viewing spots.

Gourmet

Seafood

Iwagaki Oysters called ‘the milk of the sea’. Sazae-don made with plenty of fresh Sazae (a type of sea snail). Kaisen-don made with layers of fresh fish and shellfish caught in the Sea of Japan. Oki is a seafood lovers’ paradise.

Oki- beef

Oki beef cattle raised on mineral-rich animal feed on the pastures of the Oki Islands, produce high-quality beef. This Oki beef has become otherwise known as ‘Maboroshi-no-Wagyu. You should have a taste!