Nushima Island is a picturesque island in Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, in the northwestern part of the Kii Channel. Located approximately 4.6 kilometers south of Awaji Island, it forms part of Setonaikai National Park. The island covers 2.71 square kilometers, has a coastline of 9.53 kilometers, and reaches a maximum elevation of 117.2 meters. As of the end of May 2023, its population was 389. With its traditional streets, fishing heritage, and dramatic coastal scenery, Nushima offers a glimpse of a quieter side of Japan.
Nushima has a distinctive comma-like shape resembling a traditional Japanese magatama jewel. Its main settlement and fishing port are located on the northwestern side of the island, where fishing has long been central to everyday life.
Regular ferry services connect Nushima with Habu Port in the Nada-Habu district of Minamiawaji City on Awaji Island’s southern coast. The ferry operator, Nushima Kisen, operates the vessels Shimakaze and Shimachidori.
The island is composed primarily of crystalline schist belonging to the Sanbagawa Metamorphic Belt. Along the southern coast, sea cliffs reveal striking bands of green, white, and black rock. These unusual geological formations create dramatic coastal scenery and make the area popular with anglers.
Nushima flourished through fishing and maritime trade during the late Edo period. Around 1955, its population reached approximately 2,500, but it subsequently declined considerably.
At the end of the Edo period, the island was known administratively as Nushimaura in Mihara District and belonged to the Tokushima Domain, ruled by the Tokushima branch of the Tokugawa family. Following the abolition of the feudal domains in the early Meiji period, the island became part of Tokushima Prefecture, later passed through the short-lived Myodo Prefecture, and was eventually incorporated into Hyogo Prefecture.
In 1889, Nushimaura became Nushima Village. The village merged with the town of Nandan in 1955, and Nushima became part of Minamiawaji City following the municipal merger of 2005.
Nushima has a special place in Japanese mythology, particularly the creation story recorded in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Japan’s oldest chronicles.
According to the legend, the deities Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto stood on a heavenly bridge and stirred the primordial ocean with a sacred spear called the Ame-no-Nuboko. When they lifted the spear, drops of seawater fell and solidified, forming an island known as Onogoro.
Nushima is traditionally associated with this mythical island. One of its most famous landmarks is Kamitategami Rock, a striking sea stack regarded as a manifestation of the mythical Heavenly Pillar, or Ame-no-Mihashira. The rock is an important symbol of the island’s connection to Japan’s creation mythology.
Onokoro Shrine stands on a small hill on the island and enshrines Izanagi and Izanami, the deities associated with the creation of Japan. The entire hill is regarded as sacred, giving the shrine grounds a particularly spiritual atmosphere.
Fishing and tourism support Nushima’s economy. Nushima Fishing Port is a Type 2 fishing port managed by Hyogo Prefecture. Its catches include horse mackerel, squid, and cutlassfish.
In 2008, the port recorded a total catch of 557 metric tons and had 128 registered fishing vessels. Fishing remains an important part of the island’s identity and provides visitors with opportunities to experience its maritime culture.
Water supply pipes and power lines connect Nushima with the Nada district on the opposite shore, supporting daily life on this relatively remote island.
Nushima also has an interesting place in Japan’s modern seafood industry. From the late Meiji period into the Taisho period, island native Yamanō Onkichi and his son Tsurumatsu joined forces with Kampei Shoten, a fresh-fish wholesaler based in Osaka’s Zakoba fish market, to establish a company known as Yamagamigumi.
The business grew into one of Japan’s major seafood companies and later developed into Nippon Suisan Kaisha, now known as Nissui. Yamagamigumi distributed fresh fish caught in waters extending from Kyushu to the Korean Peninsula, supplying markets in Tokyo and the Keihanshin region, as well as Shanghai in China.
The southern coastline is one of Nushima’s greatest attractions. Its unusual rock formations include Kamitategami Rock, Byobuiwa, and Amidabae, each shaped by the forces of the sea.
Rising approximately 30 meters above the water, Kamitategami Rock is the island’s best-known natural landmark. Its distinctive shape and mythological associations make it a highlight of Nushima’s coastal scenery. The rock is also revered as the Heavenly Pillar in local tradition.
The surrounding coast is an important wintering area for Japanese cormorants and pelagic cormorants. In 1971, the area was designated a Natural Monument of Hyogo Prefecture in recognition of its significance for these birds.
Visitors can explore the coastline on the Nushima Onogoro Cruise, which circles the island and offers views of its dramatic cliffs and unusual rock formations from the sea.
Bicycle rentals are another way to explore the island at a relaxed pace. Visitors can discover the fishing settlement, traditional streets, and local landmarks while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
Nushima Beach offers a place to enjoy the sea during the summer season. Facilities include showers and toilets, making it suitable for a relaxing coastal outing. Visitors should check local conditions and seasonal swimming information before planning a visit.
Nushima does not have a convenience store, but several small independent shops and eateries serve residents and visitors. One example is Yoshijin, a local shop. The island also has three inns and guesthouses, providing options for travelers who wish to stay overnight.
Local restaurants offer dishes prepared with fresh regional ingredients, including seafood landed by the island’s fishing fleet. As dining and shopping options are limited, it is advisable to plan ahead, especially when visiting outside busy periods.
Nushima is home to the Nushima Garden at the Ito Residence, considered the oldest stone-arranged garden in Hyogo Prefecture. Also known as the Crane and Turtle Garden, it is traditionally said to have been created during the stay of Ashikaga Yoshitane, a shogun of the Muromachi period.
Another unusual landmark is the Octagonal Well, notable for its distinctive eight-sided stone structure. These historic features offer a different perspective on the island, beyond its natural scenery and fishing culture.
Fudarakusan Kannonji Temple is one of the temples associated with the Awaji Saigoku Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage. It has long served as an important place of worship for the local community and remains a destination for pilgrims and visitors interested in Japanese Buddhist traditions.
Nushima brings together dramatic coastal geology, ancient mythology, traditional fishing culture, and historic religious sites. From the towering Kamitategami Rock to the quiet streets of the fishing settlement, the island offers a distinctive experience away from the busier tourist destinations of Awaji Island.
Visitors can explore by bicycle, take a boat cruise around the coast, discover local shrines and temples, or enjoy freshly caught seafood. For those interested in Japan’s creation myths and the country’s island heritage, Nushima is a rewarding destination to explore at an unhurried pace.