Things to do in Japan, Japan: The Best Islands

February 3, 2022 Tonie Szymanski

Coordinates: 35°N 136°E / 35°N 136°E / 35; 136
Restaurants in Japan

1. Shiraishi Island

Kasaoka Okayama Prefecture http://www.kasaoka-kankou.jp/island/shiraishijima
Excellent
54%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 37 reviews

Shiraishi Island

Shiraishi, a tiny island with a population of 800 on the Seto Inland Sea, is only accessible by ferry.

2. Miyajima

Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi 738-8501 Hiroshima Prefecture +81 829-30-9141 http://visit-miyajima-japan.com/en/
Excellent
73%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,815 reviews

Miyajima

Scenic site that includes the Itsukushima Shrine, Otorii Gate and visit to Mt. Misen.

Reviewed By iluv2eatntravel - San Diego, United States

It is nearly impossible to humanly describe the magnitude of what fascinating Miyajima island can offer - one has to experience it first hand. Definitely should be at the top of the list of any visit to Hiroshima. Please plan ahead as you would need a minimum of at least half a day as it should be enjoyed in a unhurried manner. It just seems that time slowed down on the island. If you can, go early and stay late. The island itself is amazingly explorable. Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes. The buildings, especially the Itsukushima Shine with its gigantic ‘floating’ torii gate and nearby temples and pagodas have beautiful architectures that blends into the natural surroundings of sea, lush forests, and the misty Mount Misen. Wild and friendly deers roam its street freely. The residents of Miyajima were super friendly. Miyajima’s quaint town is filled with rustic buildings of shops and restaurants. Seafood served in the restaurants were delicious especially the grilled oysters freshly harvested in local waters. There are also some very scenic (potentially challenging) hiking trails up Mt Misen. If time is of the essence, and you are not able to hike the entire elevation of Mt Misen, take the ropeway up to near the top and then hike the rest of the way to the summit for some spell binding views at 1755 feet.

3. Iriomote Island

Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun 907-1432 Okinawa Prefecture +81 980-82-6191 http://www.town.taketomi.lg.jp/islands/index.php?content_id=5
Excellent
68%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 494 reviews

Iriomote Island

Reviewed By CaptainJWCourtney - Severn, United States

If you are adventurous and want to really explore a beautiful place that is remote and yet a place with so many tings to do, then you really must visit Iriomote. I was there on an cultural anthropology visit with about 12 other people that was being lead by Dr. Barbara Golden. When our boat landed, the first thing I thought of was the island in the original King Kong movie, it was so remote, pristine and it was a real South Pacific / South China Sea island. We were met by a bus with several Catholic nuns in it and were taken to the other side of the island where they has several places for us to stay (boys place and the other was the girls place). We watche them make paper out of a native plant that when soaked in water for a few days in the hot sun kind of boiled the plant. Then 3 days in the sun and it was a very fiberous plant with long fibers that could be woven and beat into a very expensive paper. We also went to the beach to look for the smallest seashells in the world, we found about 10 pounds of them! Then we had several field briefings on the native plants, some were considered as extinct over 2.5 million years ago, they are a cross between a fern and a Ginko Biloba tree. they also have a cat on the island called the "Yama necko" or mountain cat. Every night we were free to walk around and visit before we had our traditional Iriomote evening meal. Iriomote is by far the one of the most beautiful and interesting Ryukyuan islands. The island north of Iriomote each have unique adventures that will await you, from an ox cart ride to seeing a "Turtle Back" Ocean floor. If you want to explore and have a very memorable time, visit this part of Japan, and please go to Iriomote as your dessert!

4. Aoshima Island

Miyazaki 889-2162 Miyazaki Prefecture
Excellent
42%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 686 reviews

Aoshima Island

Reviewed By BuccaneerDave - Nanaimo, Canada

Saw this is a guidebook and decided we must go. So happy we did. The whole community has a great laid back surfer vibe. The gardens in the town are beautiful. Countless people came up to us to have a quick chat. Wish we had stayed a night there. The washboard is fantastic. Such a unique and interesting formation that carries on down the coast for miles. This is the easiest spot to stop and have a look at. As others have done, we timed our visit for low tide to get the best effect. Daytrip from Miyazaki-shi. The temple on the island has a very lovely garden area tucked into the centre. Very interesting. Really enjoyed our day there.

5. Tomogashima Island

Kada, Wakayama 640-0103 Wakayama Prefecture +81 73-451-9018 http://www.wakayamakanko.com/sightseeing/nature2.html
Excellent
42%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 126 reviews

Tomogashima Island

6. Enoshima Island

Enoshima, Fujisawa 251-0036 Kanagawa Prefecture +81 466-22-4141 http://www.fujisawa-kanko.jp/spot/enoshima/
Excellent
44%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,093 reviews

Enoshima Island

Reviewed By DevelopmentTraveller - Tokyo, Japan

Easily done in a day if you’re based in Tokyo. Enoshima Island is fun and easy to get to on the Odakyu Line/Romance Car. The island sports a series of interesting shrines that are nestled in the serene beauty of the wooded island. There is a lot of walking involved on this island, though you can opt to take an escalator to the top shrine on the island for a few (¥370). Regardless, expect to walk. A lot.

7. Hatenohama

Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun 901-3100 Okinawa Prefecture http://www.kanko-kumejima.com/%E5%B3%B6%E3%82%92%E6%84%89%E3%81%97%E3%82%80/%E3%83%8F%E3%83%86%E3%81%AE%E6%B5%9C
Excellent
67%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 412 reviews

Hatenohama

Reviewed By letsgolabjp - Osaka, Japan

We visited a couple of months ago this stunning island, Hate no Hama! ???????? is an uninhabited island located approximately 5 km away from Kumejima, Okinawa ???? Hate no Hama Is made up of 3 Islands: ????“Menuhama” ????”Nakanuhama” ????”Hatinuhama” Is so beautiful that has appeared several times in commercials and even in Google! It’s a place that I consider you should put on your bucket list ☺️❤️???????? Access: You can visit Hate no Hama by taking a tour from Kumejima, it will take you about 30 mins by boat ❤️ (the hotel will help you arrange the tour so no worries ????) You’ll LOVE it! ????❤️ We will do a review of different hotels in Kumejima soon so don’t miss it! Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss any of our adventures! ❤️

8. Shimojiiima Island

Irabe, Miyakojima 906-0505 Okinawa Prefecture
Excellent
55%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 467 reviews

Shimojiiima Island

9. Kudakajima Island

Chinen, Nanjo 901-1400 Okinawa Prefecture
Excellent
60%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 260 reviews

Kudakajima Island

10. Zamamijima Island

Zamami-son, Shimajiri-gun 901-3402 Okinawa Prefecture
Excellent
77%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 398 reviews

Zamamijima Island

Reviewed By Excursion739114

Fab sea kayaking with Zamami's Kerama Kayaking. Great boats, equipment, and excellent service from Miami, who prepared the boats, supervised, taught, helped, cooked Okinawan lunch on remote beaches, and helped us to snorkel the corals. Her English helped a lot, with my limited Japanese.. Did 3 day tours, each stunning and great kayaking. Zamami is tiny, 600 people, village atmosphere, buzzing in summer I heard, but beautifully peaceful in January. Enough nice restaurants, bars, izakayas. Good e-bike rental to tour the very hilly landscape.

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