Nishinoshima offers many great sightseeing locations as well as a variety of leisure activities. Following the description of our most popular tourist sights is information on sightseeing courses, fishing, scuba diving, marine sports and accommodation.
The unrivaled scenic landscape of Kuniga is the symbol of Oki. Nishinoshima's entire west coast, composed of wave-eroded basalt cliffs, stretches for 7 km (4.3 mi).
In 1938, Kuniga was named a national scenic spot and natural monument, and as a national park in 1963. It is a specially protected area. The whole of the seacoast is shaped by the fierce waves of the Japan Sea and is a large-scale display of the effects of sea erosion.
The coast is dotted with magnificent cliffs over 100 m (328 ft) tall, but the masterpiece is Matengai. This cliff looks as though it were carved perpendicularly by a huge knife. At 257 m (840 ft), it is the tallest cliff in Japan and one feels dwarfed standing below it.
Tsutenkyou, literally translated, "bridge passing to heaven," is the name of the rock that bridges the arch. The arch in the center of the rock was formed by sea erosion.
A cave called Akekure no Iwaya, or "Light and Dark Cavern," extends 200 m (656 ft) into the rocks. Part of it is a sea tunnel dubbed Onigajyo or "The Devil's Realm," where the sky opens up through a gaping hole overhead.
Visitors can also see many other rock formations, such as the "Palace of the Dragon King," named for characters and places in Japanese folklore. Nothing can rival Kuniga's stunning display of nature.
It is possible to take a boat tour of Kuniga and view the breathtaking scenery from the water. A regularly scheduled tour boat leaves from Funakoshi and Urago several times a day during the summer months, and more sporadically during the winter.
The East Kuniga Seashore follows the coastline east of Sotohama Beach. In autumn the fall colors are brilliant, and the lush greenery of East Kuniga Seashore contrasts greatly with the basalt cliffs of Kuniga Seashore.
The East Kuniga Seashore is part of the sightseeing boat course. It is also home to the Mimiura Campground, fully equipped with tent sites, a cooking area, toilets, showers, and a swimming area.
Driving along the ridge of the island through Onimai and Akao, one has an unobstructed view of the skyline.
This area is well known for its exquisite natural scenery and as a place to look out over the Douzen bays and the Sea of Japan simultaneously.
It is also a pasture for horses and cows and is part of the land sightseeing course.
Emperor Godaigo is said to have been banished to Nishinoshima in the year 1332 and lived here for one year on top of a hill jutting out into the bay east of Beppu Harbor. His temporary imperial palace on top of the hill is now a historic site.
This is also the location of Kurogi Shrine, built to worship the Emperor. The palace was appointed as a Prefectural historic site in 1958. At the entrance to the trail leading up the hill is a small museum housing data and relics relating to the Emperor and his temporary palace. Today, the palace no longer remains, but the site is marked by a fence and stone monument.
Built into the side of Takuhi Mountain, Takuhi Shrine was called Takuhi Yama Unjyou (Takuhi Mountain Above the Clouds) Temple prior to the Meiji Era (1868). It is said that the shrine was established in the mid-Heian Era (between 794 and 1185) and was built by being pushed out of a huge cave in the mountainside.
Since the Heian Era, the shrine has been known nationally for housing the god of ocean safety. The shrine also used to serve as a lighthouse of sorts. A fire would burn to guide ships to the island's wide harbors to wait for more favorable wind conditions. The story goes that when ex-Emperor Gotoba had a near-disaster at sea, his boat was guided by the fire at Takuhi Shrine. Since then, the sea guardian deity has been revered at the shrine. Even in recent times, the custom continues for people from the Douzen Islands to pay their traditional New Year's visit to the shrine at Takuhi Shrine.
Today, ferries entering either harbor in Nishinoshima follow the tradition of blowing their horns as they come into sight of Takuhi Shrine. This is to show thanks to the gods, since Oki Kisen, the ferry company, was established with funds collected from the sale of trees grown on Takuhi Mountain.
The main shrine and front shrine are National Important Material Cultural Assets. The copper bell in the shrine is a Prefectural Material Cultural Asset, and the foliage surrounding the approach to the shrine has been appointed as a Natural Monument by the Prefecture.
This old shrine is home to the fishing god and the sea guardian deity.
The gate of the shrine stands in a sea inlet in front of the shrine, and this inlet is known for the squid that swim into it in large groups. In olden days, squid would swim into the seashore in front of the shrine in large numbers every year from December to the New Year. This "squid pick up" occurrence is unique to the Yurahime district. So many squid used to swim into the inlet that they could be scooped up in baskets and caught by hand.
Around 1965, this phenomenon came to an end, but in November of 1992, the squid came back for the first time in many years. It continues today, although the number of squid has declined. However, it is said that those living in the nearby area can hear the squid swimming into the inlet in the winter night.
The Nishinoshima Nature and Folk Customs Museum opened in 1994.
It houses a display of the island's nature and the life of its people.
Fishing and household implements and cultural artifacts from long ago to present day are on display.
| Course | March 21~31 | April 1~30 | May 1~July 19 | July 20~Aug 31 | Sept 1~Nov 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Course One hr 20 min Adult ¥2,040 Child ¥1,020 |
8:30~9:50 | 8:30~9:50 | 8:30~9:50 | 8:30~9:50 | 8:30~9:50 |
| 10:30~11:50 | 10:30~11:50 | 10:30~11:50 | 10:30~11:50 | 10:30~11:50 | |
| 13:00~14:20 | 13:00~14:20 | 13:00~14:20 | 13:00~14:20 | 13:00~14:20 | |
| 15:00~16:20 | 15:00~16:20 | 15:00~16:20 | 15:00~16:20 | 15:00~16:20 | |
| (Course) Urago ~ Funakoshi Canal ~ Kuniga Seashore ~ Funakoshi Canal ~ Urago | |||||
| B Course Two hrs Adult ¥3,210 Child ¥1,610 |
10:10~12:10 | 10:10~12:10 | 10:10~12:10 | 10:10~12:10 | 10:10~12:10 |
| 13:30~15:30 | 13:30~15:30 | 13:30~15:30 | ----- | 13:30~15:30 | |
| ----- | 14:00~16:00 | ----- | ----- | 14:00~16:00 | |
| ----- | ----- | 15:30~17:30 | 15:30~17:30 | ----- | |
| (Course) Beppu ~ East Kuniga ~ Kuniga Seashore ~ Funakoshi Canal ~ Urago | |||||
| C Course Four hrs Adult ¥6,100 Child ¥3,100 |
10:00~14:00 | 10:00~14:00 | 9:40~13:40 | 9:40~13:40 | 10:00~14:00 |
| (Course) Beppu ~ Kurogi Imperial Palace ~ Hishiura Port (Ama)
~ Ama Sightseeing Bus ~ Course B ~ Urago A boxed lunch (price not included in tour) will be eaten on the boat deck. | |||||
| 4/21~11/20 | 7/1~8/31 | Course·Prices |
|---|---|---|
| ----- | 8:30~10:15 | Urago ~ Akao ~ Kuniga·Matengai ~
Yurahime Shrine ~ Urago Adult ¥2,000 Child ¥1,000 |
| 10:30~12:15 | 10:30~12:15 | |
| 13:00~14:45 | 13:00~14:45 | |
| 15:00~16:45 | 15:00~16:45 |
| Times | Course | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 10:10~14:45 | Boat Course B, 10:10 departure from Beppu followed by Bus Course, 13:00 Departure from Urago |
Adult ¥5,210 Child ¥2,610 |
| 13:00~16:20 | Bus Course, 13:00 departure from Urago followed by Boat Course A, 15:00 departure from Urago |
Adult ¥4,040 Child ¥2,020 |
The fishing park features a fishing deck, where fishing enthusiasts who aren't keen on spending hours in a boat on the rough sea can still enjoy the sport. The deck can accommodate up to 100 people and is fully equipped with a water supply, electricity, toilets, a rest area, and even a small-scale kitchen suitable for simple cooking. There is also an underwater camera that allows visitors to observe all the fish beneath the deck on a monitor.
A high speed boat leaves from Urago Harbor 4 times a day and arrives at the fishing deck in 3 minutes. You can expect to catch a big one!
| Prices | Basic Fishing Price | Park Entrance Fee (for observers) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Day | Half Day | ||
| Adult (over 16) | ¥1,400 per person | ¥700 per person | ¥300 per person |
| Child (age 5-16) | ¥800 per person | ¥400 per person | ¥200 per person |
| Open | End of April through 31 October |
|---|---|
| Regular Holidays | Every Tuesday, April~ June and September ~ October (When Tuesday is a holiday, the park will be closed on the following day) |
| Closed | 1 November through April |
| Hours of Operation | |
| 30 April~30 June | 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm |
| 1 July~31 August | 8:30 am to 6:00 pm |
| 1 September~30 September | 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm |
| 1 October~31 October | 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm |
| Urago to Fishing Park | Fishing Park to Urago |
|---|---|
| 7:30 | 7:50 |
| 10:30 | 10:50 |
| 13:00 | 13:20 |
| 16:00 | 16:20 |
| 19:20 |
| Afternoon | Evening | |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 people, rate per hour | ¥5,000 | ¥7,000 |
| Each additional person | ¥1,000 per hour | |
| Afternoon (3 people) |
Inner Sea | ¥6,000 (¥2,000 per additional person) |
|---|---|---|
| Outer Sea | ¥12,000 (¥4,000 per additional person) | |
| Evening (3 people) |
Inner and Outer Sea | ¥18,000 (¥6,000 per additional person) |
Everybody loves to do marine sports in the summer. At B & G Ocean Center, both children and adults can enjoy windsurfing, canoeing, sailing, and row boating. Qualified instructors are present to teach the basic skills of marine sports, so even beginners can safely enjoy themselves here.
B & G is located in Komukai and is open from July 1 through August 31 from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, please call 08514-6-0825 (Japanese language only).
B & G is also the base site for scuba diving lessons and dives.
| Equipment | # Available | Rental Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Cutter | 1 | ¥300 |
| OP Yacht | 10 | ¥300 |
| 12 Ft. Yacht | 4 | ¥300 |
| Double Scull | 4 | ¥300 |
| Rowboat | 8 | ¥300 |
| Pair Canoe | 2 | ¥300 |
| Canoe | 10 | ¥300 |
| Windsurfing Board | 3 | ¥1,500 |
Sotohama Beach is one of the few sand beaches in the Oki Islands. It lies next to the Funakoshi Canal in the Funakoshi District. It's convenient location and wide, sandy beach make it a popular destination during the summer months. It also offers a great view of the Kuniga cliffs. A rest house is open seasonally, with snacks, showers and changing rooms available.
The newly formed Club Noa Oki offers scuba diving experiences for beginning to advanced divers. In addition to the options listed below, Club Noa also offers SCUBA licensing courses. A thorough understanding of Japanese is necessary for the course. For more information or to make reservations, please contact Club Noa at (08514)6-0825 (Japanese only).
| Course | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Experience Diving | ¥12,000 | For the first time diver, this course offers a 2 to 3 hour introduction to scuba |
| Ocean Dives | 1 boat ¥7,000 | Ocean dives are for those in possession of a SCUBA license. Guide service is included in the price. |
| 2 boats ¥12,000 | ||
| 3 boats ¥16,000 | ||
| Snorkeling | ¥1,500 | Rental fee for snorkeling set (mask, fins, snorkel) |
For more information about Nishinoshima, please contact Nishinoshima Town Hall.
Alana-Christoff, Coordinator for International Relations
Copyright © 2003, Nishinoshima Town
Revised -- 03/11/03
URL:
http://www.town.nishinoshima.shimane.jp/English/tourist.info.htm