Kojima Shrine

In Ashibe on Iki Island in Nagasaki Prefecture, Kojima Shrine sits on a small island floating alone in the sea. For most of the day it is surrounded by water and cannot be reached, but for a few hours around low tide a sandy path rises out of the sea. Because visitors can then walk across to the island, it is sometimes called the Mont Saint Michel of Iki.

The enshrined deities are Susanoo no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto. It is a special place where faith meets the power of nature, for you can meet the gods only when the pull of the sun and moon draws the tide back. It is known for blessings of matchmaking and good fortune. The whole island is regarded as sacred ground, and the custom that not even a single twig may be carried off is still observed today.

Highlights

• A sandy path that appears only at low tide
• A painting like scene of the small island and shrine floating in the sea
• A matchmaking shrine dedicated to Susanoo no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto
• An ever changing seascape, with the island cut off when the tide returns

Enjoying the Seasons

In summer the white path stands out against blue sea and sky for a refreshing view. From autumn into winter the air grows clear, and at dusk the golden sea and the silhouette of the shrine are dreamlike. Always check a tide table for the time of low tide before you visit. The scenery itself, changing moment by moment with the ebb and flow, is the greatest charm of this shrine.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Moroyoshi Oishifure, Ashibe, Iki City, Nagasaki Prefecture
• Access: About seven minutes by car from Ashibe Port, about twenty minutes from Gonoura Port
• Parking: Available
• Free to visit, no admission fee
• Visits are possible only for a few hours around low tide, so checking a tide table in advance is essential

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: Choose a day when low tide falls during daylight so you can walk across the path. Low tide at dusk is especially dreamlike
• Avoiding crowds: At early-morning low tide there are few people, letting you quietly enjoy the mysterious path
• Time needed: About thirty minutes for the walk across and worship, a little more to watch the changing tide
• Nearby spots: Combining it with Harahoge Jizo and Ondake Shrine in the same Ashibe area lets you tour the power spots of Iki efficiently
• Budget feel: Worship is free. Iki is reached by ferry and jetfoil from Hakata Port or Karatsu-Higashi Port

A Quick Tip

The path is rocky and slippery, so wear shoes you can walk in easily. The low tide window is short, so plan your visit with time to spare. Once the tide begins to rise, head back promptly.

📚 Sources

The information about Kojima Shrine was compiled by our editorial team from Iki City tourism information, local guidance, and on-site explanations. The account of a shrine on a small island in the sea that can be reached on foot along an approach exposed at low tide follows these public references. Because whether the approach can be crossed depends on the tides, please confirm the latest information from Iki City or a tide table before your visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Allow about 30 minutes to an hour to cross the approach and worship.
• What to prepare: The approach at low tide can be wet, so non-slip shoes are reassuring.
• Getting around: The crossable window is limited, so check the tide times before heading there.
• Worship manners: The approach becomes impassable at high tide, so allow time to spare and worship quietly.