Crossing Omatsu Bridge to Begin the Adventure
The journey to Shimazu Island begins with a walk across Omatsu Bridge, a beautiful pedestrian bridge connecting Chiburijima with Shimazu Island. The bridge forms a gentle arch over the clear blue water and is named after Omatsu, a woman who appears in the traditional Oki folk song “Dossari-bushi.”
From the bridge, visitors can look across the transparent sea toward the small islands scattered around the coast. The combination of blue water, rocky shores, and green vegetation creates an especially picturesque introduction to Shimazu Island.
Under certain combinations of weather, waves, and tide conditions, the bridge and the surface of the sea can create a rare heart-shaped view. It is not something that can be seen every time, but encountering this unusual landscape can become a memorable highlight of a visit.
A Peaceful Landscape Reminiscent of the Seto Inland Sea
The waters surrounding Shimazu Island are particularly calm compared with many other parts of the Oki Islands. With the surrounding islands acting as natural breakwaters, the sea is often peaceful and sheltered, creating scenery that can remind visitors of the Seto Inland Sea.
The contrast between the crystal-clear water and bright white rock surfaces is striking. On a calm day, the sea takes on beautiful shades of blue and green, making the island an excellent destination for photography and quiet coastal exploration.
Explore the Island on a Coastal Walking Trail
A walking trail of approximately 1.8 km runs through Shimazu Island, allowing visitors to explore its natural scenery at a leisurely pace. Following the coastline, the trail reveals constantly changing views of the sea, rocks, vegetation, and surrounding islands.
Because the landscape changes with the weather, season, and light, even a familiar route can look different from one visit to the next. The absence of large-scale development also contributes to the island’s peaceful atmosphere.
Discover Oki’s Unique Ecosystem
Shimazu Island is an excellent place to experience the theme of the “unique ecosystem” recognized by the Oki UNESCO Global Geopark. Plants associated with northern regions, southern regions, and the Asian mainland can coexist here, creating an unusually diverse natural environment.
One notable example is the hamabō hibiscus, a plant commonly found south of Kyushu. Chibu Village is known as its northernmost natural habitat in Japan.
Seasonal flowers add further interest to the landscape. Hamana deshiko can be seen in summer, while daruma-giku blooms in autumn. These seasonal changes make the island an appealing destination for visitors interested in plants and nature as well as scenery.
Shirakabe: A Dramatic White Coastal Cliff
Further into Shimazu Island is another striking natural landmark known as Shirakabe, meaning “White Wall.” This sea cliff has exposed white rock surfaces and presents a dramatic contrast to the reddish-brown cliffs of nearby Chibu Red Cliff.
The distinctive landscape was formed as relatively soft layers of rock were gradually eroded by waves. The sharply pointed formations can look almost otherworldly, giving the coastline an unusual character.
Shirakabe can also be viewed from sightseeing boats. From the sea, the scale and ruggedness of the cliffs become even more apparent.
Watasu Shrine: A Sacred Place for the Protection of the Sea
At the far end of the island stands Watasu Shrine, a quiet and historic place of worship. The shrine is dedicated to Chiburi-no-Kami, a deity associated with protecting people traveling by sea.
The deity has long been worshipped as a guardian of maritime travel, and the name of Chiburijima itself is traditionally connected with this divine figure. The shrine reflects the close relationship between the people of the Oki Islands and the sea that surrounds them.
The tradition of praying for safe voyages has continued through generations, giving the otherwise quiet island a strong sense of history and spirituality.
The Story of Omatsu and “Dossari-bushi”
Shimazu Island is also connected with one of the traditional folk songs of the Oki Islands. A monument dedicated to Omatsu stands on the island, which is regarded as the birthplace of “Dossari-bushi.”
The song is traditionally associated with Omatsu, a woman whose tragic love for a captain of a Kitamaebune merchant ship is said to have inspired the song. Kitamaebune were traditional Japanese cargo ships that traveled the Sea of Japan between ports, carrying goods and connecting coastal communities.
The melancholy melody of the song has been passed down through generations. A monument commemorating poet Saijo Yaso can also be found on the island, adding another layer of cultural interest to the natural landscape.
Sea Kayaking and SUP on Clear Island Waters
The calm, clear waters around Shimazu Island are also suitable for marine activities such as sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).
Paddling across the transparent sea provides a completely different perspective of the island’s coastline. Visitors can enjoy the sense of freedom that comes from moving across the water while surrounded by the quiet scenery of the Oki Islands.
These activities are generally available from May through the end of October, subject to weather and sea conditions.
Traces of History and Traditional Island Life
Shimazu Island has long been connected with human activity. The surrounding waters provided a useful natural harbor, and pottery from the Yayoi period has been discovered, indicating that people were connected with this area more than two thousand years ago.
The island was also once used as grazing land for cattle and goats. In winter, cattle were traditionally seen swimming across the sea, an unusual practice known as “ushi no umiwatari,” or crossing the sea with cattle.
These stories reveal how closely the people of the Oki Islands adapted their lives to the surrounding landscape. Nature was not simply something to observe, but an essential part of work, transportation, food, and community life.
Important Tips for Exploring the Island
Visitors should take particular care when planning a walk around Shimazu Island. Some sections of the walking trail can become submerged at high tide, so visiting around low tide is recommended.
After rain, cliffs and trails may become unstable or slippery. Visitors should walk carefully and avoid approaching dangerous edges.
Because parts of the island have been used as grazing land, ladders or other crossing facilities may sometimes be installed to control the movement of cattle. If you pass through such a gate or ladder, be sure to return it to its original position so that the grazing animals remain safely contained.
The island is an important natural environment, so visitors are encouraged to follow local rules and enjoy the landscape without disturbing wildlife, plants, or the surrounding ecosystem.
Access to Shimazu Island
From Kurii Port on Chiburijima, it takes approximately 15 minutes by car to reach the area near Omatsu Bridge, followed by a walk of approximately 25 minutes. After crossing the pedestrian bridge, visitors can enter Shimazu Island on foot.
The journey requires a little more time and preparation than visiting an ordinary sightseeing spot, but this relative remoteness helps preserve the island’s quiet atmosphere and natural character.
A Special Island Where Nature, Culture, and History Meet
Shimazu Island is a rare destination where visitors can walk from an inhabited island onto an uninhabited one and discover a landscape shaped by nature, history, and traditional island life.
Clear blue water, white coastal cliffs, an unusual mixture of plant species, the peaceful walking trail, and the historic Watasu Shrine all reveal different aspects of the island. Stories surrounding Omatsu and “Dossari-bushi” add a fascinating cultural dimension to the experience.
Whether you come for the scenery, nature observation, photography, walking, or sea kayaking, Shimazu Island offers a chance to slow down and experience the quiet rhythm of the Oki Islands.
When visiting Chiburijima, consider taking the time to cross Omatsu Bridge and explore this secluded island on foot. The peaceful landscape and unique atmosphere offer a memorable experience that is difficult to find elsewhere in Japan.