Oki Islands: Experiencing Grand Nature on UNESCO Global Geopark-Certified Remote Islands

The Oki Islands, Shimane, float in the Sea of Japan roughly 50 to 60 kilometers north of the Shimane Peninsula and are collectively called Oki. Made up of four inhabited islands and many uninhabited ones, they were certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2013 for their dynamic coastlines, distinctive geology, and endemic plants and animals. In Oki, where time flows differently from the mainland, travelers can touch grand nature and a history and culture shaped by island life.

Grand Nature of the Global Geopark

The Oki Islands are a treasury of remarkable landforms that tell the story of the earth, created by volcanic activity, uplift, and long ages of wave erosion. Sea cliffs, strange rocks, and columnar joints line the varied coasts. Above all, Matengai on the Kuniga Coast of Nishinoshima is a spectacular sheer cliff about 257 meters high rising straight from the sea. Its clifftop is pasture where cattle and horses graze, so grand nature and pastoral scenery share the same view. These landforms and the unique ecosystems they support earned the Global Geopark certification.

Distinct Appeal of Each Island

The Oki Islands divide broadly into the Dogo island and the Dozen islands, each with its own character. The largest, Dogo (Okinoshima Town), is rich in sights such as centuries-old giant cedars and Candle Rock. The sightseeing boat to Candle Rock, where the setting sun appears to light the tip of the rock like a flame, is popular. The Dozen islands (Nishinoshima Town, Ama Town, and Chibu Village) offer spectacular cliffs and pastoral scenes of grazing above the sea. Crossing between islands by ferry and inter-island boat is a signature pleasure of an Oki journey.

History and Culture Alive on the Islands

Oki is known as the place of exile for Retired Emperor Gotoba and Emperor Godaigo, giving it a history in which court culture was carried to the islands. Sites remembering the exiled emperors remain, evoking deep history. The islands distinctive bullfighting, ushi-tsuki, is said to have begun to console Retired Emperor Gotoba, exiled to Oki in 1221, and is considered one of Japan oldest bullfighting traditions with about 800 years of history. Encountering customs and ways of life nurtured in island isolation is one of the great joys of visiting Oki.

Access and Basics

Reach Oki by ferry or high-speed boat from Shichirui Port in Shimane or Sakaiminato in Tottori. By air, flights connect Izumo Airport and others with Oki Airport on Dogo. Ferries take about two to three hours and high-speed boats less, but both run limited services and can be canceled in rough seas, so checking timetables and operating status in advance is essential. Getting around the islands is mainly by car, using rental cars, sightseeing taxis, or scheduled sightseeing buses. The inhabited islands are linked by ferry and inter-island boat.

Practical Travel Notes

Early summer through autumn, when the sea is calm and the greenery is beautiful, is the easiest time to visit Oki. Outdoor views such as Matengai and Candle Rock depend on the weather, so build slack into the schedule and prepare an alternative plan for stormy days. To tour several islands, plan slowly over two to three days around the boat schedules. The Candle Rock sunset cruise runs only in limited seasons and weather, so always confirm official information. Budget-wise, ferry and boat fares, island transport, and lodging are the main costs, and being remote islands, prices tend to run higher than on the mainland. Oki beef and Sea of Japan seafood are local specialties.

A Word of Advice

Oki is not an easy day trip but an island where you set your pace to the boat schedule. With the great cliff of Matengai, the Candle Rock sunset, and sites tied to Retired Emperor Gotoba, nature, history, and culture are packed together, so at least one overnight, and ideally visits to both the Dozen and Dogo groups, make for a full trip. Because boats can be canceled, leave room in your return plans. Take your time to savor the grand nature of this Global Geopark.

📚 Sources

This article was edited with reference to tourism guidance for the Oki Islands in Shimane, certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark, explanations of Matengai and the Kuniga coast on Nishinoshima and Candle Island on Dogo, and information on ferries, inter-island boats, and sightseeing cruises. Local explanations were consulted for the exile history of retired emperors Gotoba and Godaigo and the island culture. The frequency and times of ships and flights and the operation of sightseeing boats may change, so please check each operator official information before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Suggested route: The islands divide into Dogo and Dozen, so cross between them by ferry and inter-island boat while touring sights such as Matengai and Candle Island.
• Access: Reach the islands by ferry or high-speed boat from ports such as Shichirui and Sakai, or by air to the airport; as services are limited, early booking is recommended.
• Estimated time: As remote islands, a schedule with at least one overnight is reassuring if touring several islands.
• What to wear: Comfortable shoes are recommended for walking the coastal scenery such as Matengai.
• Budget: Allow for ship and flight fares and sightseeing-boat fees.
• Highlight: The sightseeing boat to Candle Island, where the sunset appears to light the rock tip, is popular.