Nishinoshima Town is located in Oki District, Shimane Prefecture, on Nishinoshima Island in the Oki Islands, a remote archipelago in the Sea of Japan. The Oki Islands are broadly divided into two areas: Dogo, the largest island, and Dozen, the group of three islands to the southwest. Nishinoshima is the largest of the three Dozen islands.
With a population of approximately 2,500 people, Nishinoshima is a peaceful island where traditional communities and everyday life coexist with a spectacular natural environment. Its relatively remote location gives visitors the opportunity to experience a slower pace of life far from Japan’s major cities.
The island is particularly known for its dramatic cliffs, volcanic landscapes, beautiful coastline, traditional culture, and long history.
Nishinoshima was formed through ancient volcanic activity, and its mountainous terrain still reveals the powerful geological forces that shaped the island. Mountains reaching approximately 200 to 300 meters form a central ridge, creating a distinctive landscape that divides the island into inner-sea and open-sea sides.
The inner-sea side faces the neighboring islands of Nakanoshima and Chiburijima, forming a sheltered body of water surrounded by the three Dozen islands. The relatively calm seas and naturally protected harbors supported fishing and maritime transportation for centuries.
Fourteen settlements are scattered along the coast, where traditional fishing-village scenery can still be seen. Small boats, waterfront homes, and the surrounding green hills create a peaceful landscape that reflects the island’s long relationship with the sea.
On the opposite side, the landscape changes dramatically. The coastline facing the open Sea of Japan has been shaped by powerful waves over countless years, creating approximately 37 kilometers of spectacular cliffs.
Unusual rock formations, sea caves, and steep coastal walls reveal the continuing power of the ocean. The rugged scenery is especially striking along Kunika Coast, one of Nishinoshima’s most famous natural attractions.
One of the highlights of any visit to Nishinoshima is Matengai Cliff, located along Kunikaga Coast. Rising approximately 257 meters above sea level, it is one of Japan’s highest sea cliffs.
The enormous cliff has a remarkably sheer appearance, almost as if the mountainside had been sliced with a giant blade. Yet the landscape above the cliff is surprisingly gentle. Open pastureland stretches across the plateau, where cattle and horses graze freely.
The contrast between the immense vertical cliffs and the peaceful animals grazing on the grasslands is one of the most memorable sights on the island.
The coastline offers many other geological wonders. Tsutenkyo Bridge is a magnificent natural arch carved by the sea, while Meian no Iwaya is a mysterious sea cave where the interior can appear to glow with deep blue light.
Boat cruises provide another way to appreciate these formations. Seen from the sea, the cliffs, caves, arches, and rock formations reveal a completely different perspective from the landscapes viewed from land.
Takuhi Shrine is one of the most sacred places on Nishinoshima. Located on the highest mountain in the Dozen area, the shrine has long been worshipped as a guardian of maritime safety.
The shrine building is constructed partly within a natural rock cave, creating an extraordinary and mysterious appearance. Its unusual setting has attracted attention for centuries, and the shrine was even depicted in ukiyo-e works by artists such as Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige.
Yurahime Shrine is regarded as the Ichinomiya, or highest-ranking shrine, of ancient Oki Province. It has traditionally been worshipped as a deity associated with fishing and the prosperity of the sea.
The beach in front of the shrine is known as Ikayose no Hama, meaning “Squid-Gathering Beach.” Local tradition tells of large numbers of squid once gathering along the shore. The story provides an intriguing connection between local mythology, the shrine, and the island’s fishing culture.
Nishinoshima also played an important role in Japanese history. During the final years of the Kamakura period, Emperor Go-Daigo was exiled to the Oki Islands after opposing the ruling government.
It is traditionally said that he spent approximately one year on Nishinoshima at a place known as Kuroki Imperial Residence. Today, the site remains a historic place where visitors can reflect on the dramatic political events of medieval Japan.
Nishinoshima has preserved a variety of cultural traditions passed down through generations. Among them is the distinctive Shara-bune, or spirit boat, ceremony held during the Buddhist Obon season.
Local residents work together for several months to construct boats decorated with colorful ornaments. The boats are then sent out to sea as a symbolic way of sending ancestral spirits back to the other world. Watching the beautifully decorated boats disappear across the water can be a deeply atmospheric experience.
Traditional performing arts such as Oki Dozen Kagura are also preserved on the island. These sacred dances express prayers and gratitude to the gods and remain an important part of the local cultural heritage.
The food culture of Nishinoshima reflects the island’s close relationship with the ocean and the practical culinary traditions developed by fishing communities.
A local specialty is eriyaki nabe, a fisherman-style hot pot made with dolphinfish, a seasonal fish traditionally used in local cuisine. Another distinctive ingredient is kojoyui, a fermented soybean-based seasoning.
Aka-noe-maki, a local specialty incorporating rock seaweed, is another example of the island’s unique food culture. These dishes offer visitors a chance to taste ingredients and cooking traditions that are closely connected to everyday life in the Oki Islands.
Most visitors arrive at Beppu Port, the main gateway to Nishinoshima. Ferries and high-speed vessels connect the island with Shichirui Port and Sakaiminato Port on the mainland, with services operated by Oki Kisen.
Once on the island, municipal buses provide transportation around the main settlements and sightseeing areas. For travelers exploring the island’s more remote landscapes, checking transportation schedules in advance is recommended.
Nishinoshima Town offers an extraordinary combination of dramatic natural scenery, ancient history, traditional beliefs, and island culture.
The towering cliffs of Matengai, the rugged coastline of Kunika Coast, natural arches, and mysterious sea caves reveal the geological power of the Oki Islands. At the same time, Takuhi Shrine, Yurahime Shrine, and Kuroki Imperial Residence introduce visitors to the island’s long religious and historical traditions.
Traditional events such as the Shara-bune ceremony and Oki Dozen Kagura show that Nishinoshima’s heritage is not simply something preserved in museums. It continues to be part of community life today.
Often described through the themes of Takuhi, fishing, and spectacular scenery, Nishinoshima is a place where people and nature have developed side by side. For travelers seeking dramatic landscapes, authentic island culture, and a peaceful escape from everyday life, this remote island offers a memorable experience in the Sea of Japan.