Japan is an archipelago with over 6,852 islands. There are thousands of interesting islands that tourists need to visit, thinking about that we wrote this article with 11 Japanese islands for you to visit in Japan.
Read also: Discover all 6,852 islands of Japan
Table of Contents
Aogashima – The Volcano Island
The most interesting thing is that this island is a volcano within another volcano. Aogashima Island is located south of the Izu Islands, about 358 kilometers south of Tokyo. Its size is only 6 square kilometers and only 165 people reside on the island.
Despite its size, you will find hotels, hostels, and a camping site for visitors. Meals and food will not be lacking on this beautiful deserted island that inspired the movie Kimi no na Wa.
Visitors can take a plane from Haneda Airport (50 minutes) or a ferry overnight to Hachijoujima and then a helicopter or a boat to the island. Watch a video below showing a bit of the island:
Okunoshima – Rabbit Island
Okunoshima is a famous island in Hiroshima Prefecture. A famous island full of rabbits scattered all over the island, where we can feed them and pet them.
It is believed that 8 rabbits used for experiments on the island were released in 1971 and multiplied. According to reports, there are more than 1,000 rabbits freely scattered across the island.
Despite the peaceful image of adorable rabbits hopping around the island, it has a very dark history. In 1929, a factory was built for the manufacture of chemical weapons and continued to produce chemical weapons until World War II.
The rabbits were the guinea pigs, visiting the site you can also see various constructions and things that remind of the history of the time, including a small museum with a miniature of the island.
If you want to know more, read: Okunoshima the island of rabbits.
Gunkanjima (Hashima) – Abandoned Island
Hashima Island is known as Gunkanjima which means battleship island and is located off Nagasaki. It became famous worldwide when it made an appearance in the James Bond film Skyfall in 2012.
In 1886, an underwater coal mine was built, and then closed in 1974, the miners and their families lived on the island. They abandoned everything, leaving behind houses, buildings, and schools. Since 2009, tours have been organized by various companies.
Shikinejima – A Tropical Island
It is hard to believe that there is a tropical island just two and a half hours away from Tokyo. Visitors can hike, camp, dive, swim, sunbathe, or enjoy the natural hot springs on Shikinejima Island, without the need to go to distant places like Okinawa.
We also recommend reading: The best beaches in Japan to visit in summer
Tashirojima – Cat Island
Tashirojima is a small island in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture in the Pacific Ocean. This island is also known as Cat Island. With only 100 residents on the island, there are more cats than humans.
Dogs are seen as enemies and are prohibited from living or visiting the island unless they are service dogs. There are other cat islands scattered throughout Japan. Only in Japan can we find islands of cats, rabbits, deer, and foxes.
Read also: Nekojima – Discover 20 Cat Islands in Japan
Itsukushima Island and Miyajima
Itsukushima Island, also known as Miyajima, is located in Hatsukaichi and is considered a beautiful tourist destination. Itsukushima means where gods reside, this island is famous for its giant floating torii (gate) and a Buddhist temple.
Read also: Meaning of Torii – 5 Largest Gates in Japan
The island also has other attractions, such as hiking trails, deer and monkeys wandering freely, souvenir shops, restaurants, matcha ice cream, and some temples and shrines.
The island is situated in the Inland Sea of Japan called Seto Naikai [瀬戸内海], being a great destination especially in summer with its beaches surrounding the Torii. On the island, you will also find hot springs and many species of exotic birds and plants.
It is worth spending the whole day on the island, with various other attractions besides shrines and temples. On the island, you will find an aquarium, deer roaming freely just like in Nara city. Not to mention the souvenir shops and restaurants.
We also recommend reading:
- Onsen – Natural Hot Springs of Japan
- Small towns in Japan perfect for visiting
- Discover Nara – The City of Deer
You can reach Itsukushima Island by train (30 minutes) and a ferry (10 minutes) from Hiroshima city, which is only 10 kilometers from the island. The highest point of Miyajima is Mount Misen at 530 meters high.
Yes, it is normal for islands in Japan to end up having more than one name. Miyajima is the name of the town located on Itsukushima Island, but both are often called by the same name.
There are thousands of Shinto shrines in Japan, but the Itsukushima Shrine is recognized as one of the most beautiful and well-preserved, with the best example of traditional architecture and artistic technique, alongside an extraordinary landscape.
The Temple and Torii of Miyajima
Being built over the bay, it gives the impression that the shrine is floating on the water during high tide. It is a beautiful example of architecture from the Heian period. During low tide, it is possible to walk to the famous torii gate.
The temple was initially built in the 6th century and improved in 1168. The great Torii of Itsukushima is part of a Shinto shrine that was also built over the water. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
Some believe that the Itsukushima Shrine was founded in 593, but its existence was only confirmed from 811. During the Heian Period (794-1185) it was called “Shrine of the country of Aki” dedicated to the Shinto gods of the sea Ichikishima, Tagori, and Tagitsu.
The temple and torii have suffered some fires and have been rebuilt several times. The last renovations date back to 1875, but some parts are dated to 1200. Besides the shrine on the beach, another highlight is the Buddhist temple at the summit of Mount Misen.
It is good to plan your visit to the island when the local tide is high. This creates the impression that the shrine is floating on the water!! It is advisable to visit the island in the middle of the week, as it can be quite crowded on weekends.
It is hard to describe this island very well. We only recommend it as one of the tourist spots for those visiting Hiroshima. I hope you enjoyed the article. If you liked it, leave your comments and share it with friends.
Tomogashima – World War II Island
Tomogashima was used as a fortress until the end of World War II and public access was strictly prohibited. Now it is part of Setonaikai National Park and people can visit to camp and hike.
Odaiba – The famous artificial island of Tokyo
Odaiba is a very famous artificial island in Tokyo Bay, where you can find some museums, shopping malls, a giant robot statue, a famous onsen, a digital museum, and many important places.
Odaiba is one of the most interesting and touristy spots in Tokyo. There are various shopping complexes, game centers, and a beautiful promenade. If you want to read more about this great island, read our article about Odaiba.
Tsunoshima Island and the Ohashi Bridge
Tsunoshima [角島)] is an island located in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The name Tsunoshima means Horn Island, due to the large cattle farming and the shape of the island with 2 horns. On the island, you will find a grassy hill with a herd.
To access the island, you cross a bridge called Ohashi, one of the longest in Japan that crosses a beautiful cobalt blue sea and makes a gentle arc around another island called Hatoshima.
On the island, you will find a lighthouse, various paradisiacal landscapes, parks, fishing villages, campsites, beaches, and many other things that attract thousands of tourists every year.
To know more, read also: Tsunoshima Island and the most beautiful bridge in Japan
The famous island of Enoshima
Enoshima is an island located in Sagami Bay, Kanagawa Prefecture. The island has great beaches and a beautiful view of Mount Fuji. To access it, you cross a 600-meter bridge.
The attractions of Enoshima are located at the top of the hill, which can be accessed by escalators. On the hill, there is a Tropical Botanical Garden and the Enoshima Observation Lighthouse.
Read more: Enoshima Island and Love Locks
The Small Island of Aoshima in Miyazaki
Aoshima (青島) is a small and beautiful island located south of the beaches of Miyazaki, Japan. The island has an area of 4.4 hectares (10.9 acres) and a height of 6 meters (20 feet).
Aoshima is connected to the mainland by a bridge surrounded by white beaches that encircle a subtropical jungle in the center of the island. The shallow waters around the island have a geological phenomenon known as Oni no Sentakuita or Devil’s Washboard.
Rock formations created by the waves and visible at low tide. These perfectly straight lines seem to be something man-made, but they are natural formations that show the great power of nature.
Walking along the beach around the island is approximately a 1.5 km walk, and along the way, you will find small stalls selling souvenirs.
In the center of Aoshima Island, there is a shrine, and in the middle of the jungle, there is another small shrine that is said to bring luck to couples. At the small shrine, you can buy clay disks, which are thrown at a target for good luck.
Aoshima Island should not be confused with an identically named island in Ehime Prefecture, known for its population of cats. Below we will leave a video from our friend Santana Fonseca, where he shows the beauty of this small island.
These were some of the small and unknown islands of Japan. I hope you enjoyed the article, if you liked it don’t forget to share and leave your comments.
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