Obsidian and the Ancient History of Exchange
In prehistoric times, the Oki Islands were known as a source of high-quality obsidian, a volcanic glass that was highly valued for making stone tools. Because of this resource, Oki became part of extensive networks of trade and exchange.
Obsidian from the Oki Islands has been found across a wide area, particularly in the Chugoku region, and evidence indicates that it even reached the Korean Peninsula. This demonstrates that the islands were connected to distant communities long before modern transportation existed.
These exchanges helped bring different customs, languages, and cultural influences to the islands. Over the centuries, a distinctive island culture developed, reflected today in the many shrines, temples, festivals, traditions, and local dialects found throughout Okinoshima Town.
Dramatic Nature and the Oki UNESCO Global Geopark
Dogo was designated as part of Daisen-Oki National Park in 1963. The island is characterized by dramatic mountains, rugged cliffs, secluded coastlines, and exceptionally clear waters, creating scenery that changes dramatically from one part of the island to another.
The entire Oki Islands were designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2013. The geopark recognizes not only the geological and geographical features of the islands, but also the close relationship between the natural environment, local communities, history, and culture.
Famous Natural Landscapes
One of the island’s best-known natural attractions is Dangyō Falls, one of Japan’s “100 Great Waterfalls.” Two waterfalls, the male and female falls, descend approximately 40 meters from a dramatic rock wall. One of its unusual features is that visitors can view the waterfall from behind the falling water, creating a memorable experience.
Candle Island is another iconic landmark. This unusual sea stack rises from the ocean off the northwestern coast of Dogo. When the setting sun aligns perfectly with its summit, the rock appears like a giant candle with a flame burning at its tip. The spectacular view can only be experienced from a sightseeing boat and is one of the highlights of an Oki Islands journey.
Other remarkable coastal landscapes include Shirashima Coast, famous for its striking white rock formations, and Jōdogoura, where numerous islands and rocky formations create a beautiful seascape.
A Dynamic Mountainous Island
Dogo has a distinctly mountainous landscape. Mount Daimanji, at 608 meters, is the highest peak on the island, while numerous mountains rising to around 500 meters extend across the interior. Mountains such as Katsurao, Yokoo, and Washigamine reach close to the coastline, creating a rugged terrain in which numerous tunnels are needed to connect communities.
Several rivers flow through the island before reaching Saigō Bay. The Yao River system also includes dam reservoirs, where the natural landscape and human infrastructure exist side by side.
A Rich Ecosystem and Natural Heritage
Okinoshima Town is home to a distinctive island ecosystem. Okinoshima, located to the north of Dogo, is known as a breeding ground for streaked shearwaters, providing an important habitat for seabirds and other wildlife.
Warm-temperate broadleaf forests also remain in parts of the island. The area is particularly associated with rhododendrons, the town flower, including the native Oki rhododendron. These plants are an important symbol of the island’s rich natural environment.
The Sacred Giant Trees of Oki
Ancient giant trees can be found throughout the island, some believed to be several hundred years old or more than a thousand years old. Among the most famous are Yaosugi and Chichi-sugi of Iwakura.
These enormous trees have long been regarded as sacred trees where spirits or deities reside. Their extraordinary size and age provide a powerful reminder of the deep-rooted relationship between the people of Oki and the natural world.
Climate and the Four Seasons
Okinoshima Town receives relatively high precipitation throughout the year, with monthly rainfall of more than 100 millimeters not uncommon. Winter brings the characteristic weather of the Sea of Japan coast, including strong winds and occasional snowfall.
From spring through autumn, the weather is generally milder, making these seasons particularly suitable for hiking, sightseeing, coastal exploration, and boat tours.
A Long History from Japanese Mythology to Modern Times
The Oki Islands appear in the Kojiki, one of Japan’s oldest surviving chronicles of mythology and history. In Japanese creation mythology, Oki is described as part of a group of islands known as the Oki Mitsugo-no-shima.
In ancient times, the islands formed the independent administrative province of Oki Province and occupied an important position in Japan’s political and transportation networks.
Oki is also famous as a place of exile. Historical figures including Emperor Go-Toba and Emperor Go-Daigo were sent into exile here. Their presence brought cultural influences from the imperial court to the islands, contributing to the development of Oki’s distinctive traditions.
Prosperity Along the Kitamaebune Trade Route
During the Edo period, Saigō Port flourished as a port of call for the Kitamaebune, merchant ships that traveled along the Sea of Japan coast. The port was used as a place where ships could wait for favorable winds, and it is said that nearly 2,000 vessels passed through the port in some years.
This maritime traffic made Oki an important center of trade and helped connect the islands with communities throughout the Sea of Japan region.
The Oki Disturbance and the Road to Modern Government
In the early Meiji period, the islands became the site of the Oki Disturbance, a local movement seeking greater self-government. For approximately 80 days, an autonomous government was established by island residents.
After a period of political change, Oki eventually became part of Shimane Prefecture, leading to the administrative structure that exists today.
Places to Visit in Okinoshima Town
Enjoy Nature and Spectacular Views
Okinoshima Town offers numerous opportunities to experience the island’s natural beauty. The Tsuma Scenic Walking Trail is an approximately one-hour hiking route where visitors can enjoy the coastline and views from observation points overlooking the Sea of Japan and rugged rock formations.
Otome Coast is known as a beautiful sunset-viewing location. Its relatively quiet atmosphere makes it a peaceful place to watch the changing colors of the sea and sky toward evening.
Relax in an Island Hot Spring
Oki Onsen Goka is the only hot spring facility on the island. Surrounded by nature, it provides a relaxing opportunity to soak in a traditional Japanese hot spring after a day of sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Shrines, Temples, and Traditional Culture
Okinoshima Town is home to numerous historic shrines and temples that preserve the island’s distinctive religious traditions.
Tamawakasu-mikoto Shrine is especially important as the provincial grand shrine of Oki Province. Its grounds are home to Yaosugi, a giant cedar designated as a National Natural Monument.
Mizuwakasu Shrine is known as the Ichinomiya, or highest-ranking shrine, of Oki Province. It has been a center of worship since ancient times, and traditional festivals held at the shrine continue to preserve the island’s cultural heritage.
Experience Oki’s Coastal Scenery by Sightseeing Boat
Boat tours are an essential part of exploring the Oki Islands. Among the most memorable experiences is the Candle Island sightseeing cruise, which takes visitors out onto the Sea of Japan to see the famous alignment of the setting sun with the sea stack.
The Yao River Kappa sightseeing boat offers a different perspective. Cruising gently along the river, visitors can see the scenery of the port town and fishing community while learning about local legends and experiencing the relaxed pace of island life.
Historic Sites and Scenic Attractions
Dangyō Falls
Located near Mount Yokoo in western Dogo, Dangyō Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the Oki Islands and is included among Japan’s “100 Great Waterfalls.” The male and female falls descend side by side from a rock wall approximately 40 meters high, creating an impressive and spiritual atmosphere.
The clear spring water around the falls has also been selected among Japan’s 100 Famous Waters, highlighting the purity of the natural environment.
Candle Island
Candle Island is a dramatic sea stack rising from the waters off northwestern Dogo. At sunset, the sun appears to rest directly on its tip, creating the illusion of a candle being lit.
This remarkable scene can only be viewed from a sightseeing boat, making the cruise an especially memorable way to experience the island’s coastline.
Shirashima Coast
Shirashima Coast stretches along the northern tip of Dogo. Its distinctive white rock formations were shaped over long periods by weathering and marine erosion. The unusual geological formations are designated as a National Natural Monument and demonstrate the powerful forces that have shaped the Oki Islands.
Jōdogoura
Jōdogoura, on the northeastern tip of Dogo, is known for its beautiful archipelago scenery, with islands and rocky outcrops scattered across clear waters. The contrast between the sea, reefs, and pine-covered shores creates an exceptionally scenic landscape.
The area is designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and is also popular for diving.
Lizard Rock
Lizard Rock is a large unusual rock formation near Mount Katsurao. Its shape resembles a lizard climbing up a rock wall, giving the formation its distinctive name. It is an amusing example of the unusual shapes created by natural geological processes.
Historic and Cultural Attractions
Oki Kokubunji Temple
Oki Kokubunji Temple was established as part of a nationwide network of provincial temples ordered by Emperor Shōmu during the Nara period. It became an important religious center of Oki Province and is also associated with the exile of Emperor Go-Daigo.
Tamawakasu-mikoto Shrine
Tamawakasu-mikoto Shrine has long been revered as the provincial grand shrine of Oki. Its main sanctuary, built in the distinctive Oki architectural style, is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
The grounds are also home to Yaosugi, an enormous sacred cedar believed to be more than 1,000 years old. Standing beneath this ancient tree offers a powerful sense of the island’s spiritual traditions.
Mizuwakasu Shrine
Mizuwakasu Shrine is the Ichinomiya of Oki Province and has served as an important center of worship since ancient times. Traditional festivals held here provide an opportunity to experience living elements of Oki’s religious and cultural heritage.
Sasaki Family Residence
Sasaki Family Residence is one of the oldest surviving traditional houses in the Oki Islands. Built in the late Edo period, the former village headman’s residence is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
The building preserves distinctive Oki-style architectural features and offers a glimpse into the daily life and construction techniques of earlier generations.
Mura Kaido and Yokai Road
Mura Kaido, also known as Yokai Road, is associated with the world of manga artist Shigeru Mizuki. Bronze statues depicting yokai, supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore, can be found along the street, creating a fun and unusual walking experience for visitors.
Recommended Places to Experience Nature
Tsuma Scenic Walking Trail
The Tsuma Scenic Walking Trail is an easy approximately one-hour hiking route in the Tsudo area. Observation points such as Ōgidaira Observatory and Suzaki Observatory offer expansive views of the Sea of Japan and the island’s rugged coastline.
Otome Coast
Otome Coast is a quiet and relatively little-known location for watching the sunset. As the sun sinks toward the horizon, the colors of the sea and sky gradually change, creating a peaceful scene away from busy tourist areas.
Chichi-sugi of Iwakura
Chichi-sugi of Iwakura is an enormous tree believed to be approximately 800 years old. Its most remarkable feature is the unusual root structures hanging down from the trunk like breasts.
The mysterious appearance of this ancient tree reflects the distinctive nature worship of the Oki Islands and has also made it a popular spiritual destination.
Mount Daimanji
At 608 meters, Mount Daimanji is the highest mountain on Dogo. It is a popular destination for hiking and trekking, with views extending across the island and toward the Sea of Japan.
Relaxation and Cultural Experiences
Oki Onsen Goka
Oki Onsen Goka is the island’s only hot spring facility. Surrounded by a natural landscape, it is a convenient place to relax after exploring the island and enjoy a quiet moment in a traditional Japanese bathing environment.
Oki Mōmō Dome
Oki Mōmō Dome is a facility where major events featuring ushi-zuki, the traditional Oki bullfighting culture, are held. The powerful encounters between bulls are a distinctive part of Oki’s traditional culture and offer visitors an opportunity to experience a custom unique to the islands.
Explore the Sea by Sightseeing Boat
Candle Island Sightseeing Cruise
The Candle Island Sightseeing Cruise is one of the most popular ways to experience Oki’s spectacular coastline. The cruise takes approximately 50 minutes, offering views of the dramatic sea cliffs and the famous moment when the setting sun aligns with Candle Island.
The fleeting combination of sunlight, ocean, and rock creates a scene that feels like a work of art created entirely by nature.
Yao River Kappa Sightseeing Boat
The Yao River Kappa Sightseeing Boat gently cruises along the Yao River, offering views of the fishing town, harbor, and everyday life along the waterfront.
The tour also incorporates local kappa legends, adding a playful element to the experience while providing a relaxed way to discover the culture and scenery of Okinoshima Town.
Getting to Okinoshima Town
Okinoshima Town can be reached by air via Oki Airport, also known as Oki World Geopark Airport, or by ferry and high-speed passenger boat arriving at Saigō Port.
Once on the island, visitors can travel around by local bus or rental car. A rental car can be particularly convenient for exploring the island’s widely scattered scenic spots, shrines, mountains, and coastal attractions.
An Island Where Nature, History, and Culture Meet
Okinoshima Town offers an extraordinary combination of dramatic natural scenery, ancient history, mythology, and living island traditions. Here, pristine coastlines and mountain forests exist alongside sacred trees, historic shrines, traditional villages, and communities that continue to preserve their unique culture.
From giant sacred trees and ancient shrines to spectacular sea cliffs and the unforgettable sunset at Candle Island, the island offers experiences that are difficult to find elsewhere in Japan.
For travelers seeking a slower journey away from Japan’s major cities, Okinoshima Town provides an opportunity to discover a different side of the country—one shaped by the sea, ancient legends, geological forces, and generations of island life.