35 Best Japanese Islands You Have to Visit

by David McElhinney & Lucy Dayman | TRAVEL

When most people plan a trip to Japan they often think of the island of Honshu. While Honshu is home to the country's largest and best-known cities, like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, what you might not know is that Japan is a nation made up of an astonishing 6,852 islands. Around 430 of those are inhabited.
It's pretty amazing, and even more amazing is that each of the islands of Japan has its own unique landscape, history, and culture. To celebrate the diversity of the archipelago, we will show you 35 Japanese islands we think are the most fascinating and definitely should be on your bucket-list!

1. Kozushima

Technically part of the city of Tokyo, Kozushima sits south of the Izu Peninsula, as part of the Izu Islands and Ogasawara Islands cluster (see map). While it may not be the biggest of the Tokyo Islands, it certainly has a bit of everything. Campsites, pristine beaches, a water playground called Akasaki Promenade, mountain hikes up the 572m/1900 ft Mount Tenjo, and unique local craft culture. On Kozushima, guests can join local workshops on how to create jewelry using obsidian stones, which is a sleek black, naturally occurring volcanic glass. The night sky so clear and free of light pollution that in the evening, you can witness shooting stars without the use of a telescope.

2. Oshima

The biggest of the Izu Islands, Oshima, is located about 100 kilometers/60 miles from Tokyo (see map). Sitting right in the heart of the island is the 758 meter/2500 Mount Mihara, a still-active volcano that's responsible for some of the island's diverse collection of hot springs. Along the north and western coasts are where you'll find the best snorkeling locations. The center of the island along the rugged face of Mt Mihara is perfect for hiking, if you're feeling brave, visitors can even trek to the top of the mountain and explore the caldera up close. The island is most well known for its fields of vibrantly colored camellia flowers, which are celebrated during the camellia matsuri (festival) which runs through the early months of the year, locals also make crafts from the camellia branches.

3. Okinawa

Not to be confused with Okinawa Prefecture, which consists of a cluster of islands (see map), Okinawa Island is the largest, most well-known and accessible of all Japan's tropical islands. Okinawa, and its capital Naha, have long been a laid-back escape for mainland Japanese, and are gaining traction as a popular destination with international guests too. Its culture and history have been shaped by its proximity to Asian neighbors, Taiwan, and China. The island was once ruled as an independent kingdom, the Ryukyu Kingdom, whose culture drew heavily from Chinese culture and religious teachings. You can learn all about the history of the island at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum. At the same time, you can still see the influence of the Ryukyu Kingdom throughout the island's culinary world, daily life, architecture, and spirituality to this day, making for a very interesting foray into Japan's diverse culture.

4. Iriomote

The second-largest island in Okinawa, Japan's tropical pocket of paradise, Iriomote main be gaining popularity, but it still feels untouched by mass tourism. Its landmass, fringed by picturesque beaches, is rugged and untamed (see map). 90% of the island is covered in lush jungle and mangrove forest and in the forest lives the elusive Iriomote Yamaneko (mountain cat), a large wild cat that looks like a Bengal but comes out only at night. Just 500 meters/⅓ mile from the coast sits the small sand island Yubujima. Accessible by water buffalo-powered cart, Yubu is home to subtropical botanical gardens, a butterfly house, and a cafe.

5. Ishigaki

The cluster of Okinawan islands known as the Yaeyama Islands are some of the most scenics corners of Japan. The group consists of Iriomote, Taketomi, and Ishigaki, the latter one being the most well known - and popular – one (see map). Home to plenty of excellent beaches, Ishigaki's Kabira Bay is almost too beautiful to be believed. Crystal clear cobalt blue waters, soft white sand and dotted with small rocky islands topped with vibrant green foliage, it's worth the journey just for this view. The island is also known for its unique form of pottery, known as Ishigaki-Yaki, which has garnered attention around the globe thanks to its shiny, glossy black surface and hypnotic electric blue coloring. If you're on the island, be sure to pay a visit to the Ishigaki-Yaki Pottery Studio, to see the local ceramicists at work. If you’d like to try making ceramics yourself, make sure to check out 8 Best Ceramic Classes in Japan for English Speakers. Being a popular destination for domestic visitors (with growing popularity among international guests too), Ishigaki has plenty of family-friendly attractions, Ishigaki Yaima Village being a highlight. At Ishigaki Yaima Village, you can see just how the locals lived during the rule of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

6. Oshima (Inland Sea)

There are many islands called Oshima sprinkled throughout the Japanese archipelago, and though its name literally means “big island,” the Oshima in the Seto Inland Sea is actually quite small. It gained fame, or perhaps “notoriety” is more appropriate, as a leper colony during the middle of the 20th century – a history that was chronicled by the great Japanologist Donald Richie in his seminal travelogue, The Inland Sea. Owing to Japan’s since-disbanded policy of segregating people with leprosy from the rest of the population, the island leprosarium was created to house sufferers of the disease. Nowadays, Oshima is one of the Art Islands, featuring in the Setouchi Triennale art showcase. In three year increments, a suite of artworks and interactive exhibits tell the story of Oshima’s sordid past and illuminate the direction of its bright future.

7. Tsushima

Few people outside Japan were familiar with Tsushima before 2020. Then PlayStation 4 game Ghost of Tsushima, following a 13th-century samurai on the island whose embroiled in personal conflict as he attempts to thwart the invading Mongolian army, was released to critical and commercial acclaim. The video game, which rendered the island in hyper-stylized beauty, has since sparked the interest of many inbound tourists and traveling otaku. Alongside Tsushima’s striking coastline of rocky inlets and bays, it’s home to the Kaneda Fortress ruins, Watatsumi Shrine and the accompanying torii gates which appear to float on the surface of the sea, and the Kankoku Observatory looking northwards towards Busan, Korea.

8. Awaji

Since it was connected by bridge to Hyogo in the 1980s, Awaji now feels like an extension of the Japanese mainland. But it is, in fact, the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. Awaji is steeped in lore – according to the Shojiki and Nihon Shoki, Japan’s founding historical texts, it was the first Japanese island to take form. And there are many places where you can explore this ancient myth, such as Izanagi Jingu Shrine, one of several shrines in the country which stakes claim to being the oldest. Bunraku, Japanese puppet theater, is another must-see when visiting Awaji. During the Edo period (1603-1868) there were dozens of registered bunraku troupes in Awaji, some of which have been reformed and strive to continue this tradition today. If you’re keen to know more, book a ticket for a show at the Awaji Puppet Theater or check out our article on how to enjoy bunraku in Japan.

9. Okinoshima

Lying between mainland Japan and Korea (60 km/40 miles off the north-western coast of Kyushu – see map) Okinoshima, part of Fukuoka prefecture, is a sacred island with UNESCO World Heritage status. The island's many archaeological sites give insight into just how the people of the island used to worship as far back as 4th to the 9th centuries AD. Discovered on the island were votive (offerings) that many believe came from both the Korean Peninsula and the wider Asian continent, hinting at a history of cross-cultural exchange. The islands are part of a cluster of shrines known as three Munakata Shrines. Currently, only the shrine's priests can step foot on the island, while a select few males guests are allowed to visit for an annual festival in May.

10. Yoron

© Kagoshima Visitors’ Bureau, Yurigahama Beach

While technically part of Kagoshima prefecture, Yoron sits just 23km/14 miles north of Okinawa Island (see map). It's not the easiest place to access! If traveling by airplane from mainland Japan, visitors must first go to Okinawa by airplane then backtrack, but once you get there, it's well worth the effort. At just 23 kilometers/14 miles in circumference, it's easy to explore the entire island by bicycle within a day. If you're looking for an island that feels like it's all your own, this is an excellent place to add to the list. The island's major attraction is Yurigahama, a sand island out to sea, which makes an appearance only once a day. The beaches are untouched, almost always empty, and the weather is perfectly mild all year round.

11. Enoshima

Just a short trip west along the coast from the historic capital of Kamakura (see map), Enoshima is an excellent day trip destination for Tokyo visitors who want to experience the nation's more coastal side. The small, easily accessible island is dotted with several shrine buildings, which come together to make Enoshima shrine, a dedication to the god of good fortune, wealth, music and knowledge, Benten. As local legend has it, the god Benten crafted the island after taming a five-headed dragon that had been terrorizing the area. The island is also home to Samuel Cocking Garden, a quaint English style garden that features a viewing platform (known as a Sea Candle), from the top of which you can see Tokyo, Yokohama, and Mount Fuji.

12. Okunoshima

Situated in eastern Hiroshima, in the inland Sea of Japan (see map), Okunoshima is an island, which put simply is overrun with fuzzy little wild rabbits, who roam the island hunting for food. How the rabbits ended up here is disputed. Some say they were brought to the island during World War II, used as testing subjects for chemical weapons. While other legends say that in the 1970s around eight rabbits were let loose on the island by a bunch of visiting school kids, which thrived with no predators to worry about and, as fast-breeding rabbits are known to do, increased the local bunny population to around 1,000. Whatever the origin, today they're considered a symbol of safe childbirth and the blessings of many children thanks to their high fertility rate; for this reason, the island is often visited by those seeking good fortune and family fertility.

13. Kinkansan

Kinkansan, located off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, is a sacred island with wild deer – divine messengers in Japanese folklore – that freely roam its forests and highlands. The island’s Konageyama Shrine attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually, where they pray for the blessings of Ebisu, one of the seven Shinto deities of fortune. If you want to embark upon this pilgrimage yourself, just beware that the island is not easily accessible: there’s only one boat per week, leaving from Onagawa, which returns to the mainland two hours later.

14. Rebun Island

Rebun, which sits off the north coast of Hokkaido, is colloquially known as the floating flower island. This is because of the endemic flora which bloom across its alpine slopes and grasslands. The winters are harsh in this northernmost section of Japan, but this eventually recedes to unveil beautiful summer hiking trails. There are trails of varying lengths and difficulties webbing the island’s 30 square miles (80 km), guiding trekkers past Rebun’s resplendent flora and offering views of the vast Sea of Okhotsk and the nearby islets that populate it.

15. Nakajima

Nakajima is a somewhat unusual island in that it doesn’t sit off the coast of mainland Japan, but rather occupies the center point of Lake Toya in Hokkaido. There’s a promenade and walking trails from which you can bask in its gorgeous natural scenery, abounding in ancient spruce trees and wild deer. There’s also a museum by the port where you can learn about Nakajima’s biodiversity and its underpinning folklore.

16. Ogasawara

© Anagounagi / Creative Commons, Kominato Beach

Ogasawara is the name given to a cluster of Japanese islands that sit about 1,000 kilometers/600 miles south of Tokyo (see map), but are still technically under the Tokyo administration. Only two of these islands are inhabited, Chichijima (Father Island) and Hahajima (Mother Island). The islands share a similar subtropical climate to their latitudinal neighbor Okinawa. Most of the islands' attractions are outdoors, whale watching, diving, and swimming with dolphins are just some of the fun, family-friendly attractions available on the island. Because the islands were never connected to the Japanese mainland, many of the animals, plants, insects, and birds you'll find on these islands are unique to Ogasawara.

17. Iwo Jima

Iwo Jima has become synonymous with the Second World War. The site of a major battle in which US forces captured it from the Imperial Japanese Army in 1945, the subtropical island was subsequently catapulted into the Hollywood firmament following the Clint Eastwood-directed film, Letters from Iwo Jima (2006). Now lovingly referred to as Ioto (sulphur island), it’s a highly volcanic landmass in the Ogasawara chain. Because the Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF) operate on Iwo Jima, travelers can only visit with selected tour providers. The tours typically focus on the embattled history of the island, culminating at the summit of Mt Suribachi where the victorious US Marines raised their flag.

18. Naoshima

Known colloquially as Japan's Art Island, Naoshima is fast becoming one of the nation's most famous must-visit destinations thanks to its unique collection of immersive art exhibits. Spearheaded by Benesse, the Japanese publishing company, Naoshima is home to a collection of installations, galleries, and public attractions that are visited by almost 800,000 visitors from around the globe. From architecture designed by Japanese iconic Tadao Ando to public outdoor sculptures by Yayoi Kusama and immersive installations by James Turrell, there's something for all lovers of art, culture, and design. One of the island's biggest attractions though, is its illusiveness, in a world of social media oversaturation, many of the exhibits here are barred from being shared outside the gallery walls, to see and experience just what Naoshima has to offer, you have to go and see it for yourself (see map).

19. Teshima

Teshima is Naoshima’s larger, if slightly less-heralded, neighbor. There are various artworks on the island year-round, but the primary drawcard is the Teshima Art Museum. Envisioned by artist Rei Naito and architect Ryue Nishizawa, the museum is defined more by its structure than what’s housed within. Located in the corner of a rice terrace, the teardrop-shaped building has a reinforced concrete shell. Holes in the domed facade create natural wind channels that blow water across the museum floor, causing it to pool and drifting under the feet of visitors. This marriage of the manmade and the natural is in keeping with the island’s artistic vision, and serves to embody the ephemeral nature of all living things.

20. Shodoshima

© Shodshima Tourism Association, Shodoshima

The second largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, Shodoshima is another popular stop-off point for visitors to the Setouchi Triennale. Great for exploring by car, with towering mountains and a coastline blessed with sun-dappled beaches, it’s also a premier producer of soybeans – its name means small bean island. Many soy sauce factories still operate on the island, one of which, Marukin, runs a museum where you can sample and learn about the history of this most treasured Japanese ingredient.

21. Megijima

Megijima, another of Japan’s Art Islands, comes to life during the Setouchi Triennale, when vibrant works by homegrown and international artists turn abandoned buildings into thought-provoking centerpieces. The island is also associated with the famous children’s fable of Momotaro, the Peach Boy. In the myth, Momotaro travels to Megijima – referred to in the story as Onigashima – to fight its resident ogres. Today, visitors flock to the island’s summit, where they explore a cave network which once housed the fabled antagonists of the Momotaro tale.

22. Ogijima

Next to Megijima you’ll find Ogijima, a small island whose village is transformed during the Triennale. Artists use the abandoned houses as sets for their immersive installations, typically exploring the lives of the individuals who call this tiny landmass home. One of its most striking designs is the Ogi Exchange Center, a white metallic matrix rising from the port. Fittingly, the design is made up of interlocking characters from eight global languages.

23. Amami Oshima

Technically part of Kagoshima, Amami Oshima is a tropical island paradise similar to Yoron in the landscape but far, far bigger (see map). While beautiful beaches are the island's main attractions, Amamami Oshima also has a lot more going for it, like its local art and craft culture. The island is home to the Tanaka Isson Memorial Art Museum, an art museum dedicated to the life and work of Tanaka Isson, a Nihonga painter who flourished during the Showa period. Isson is most famous for his paintings that depicted the birds and flours which grew on the Amami Islands. The island is also known for being one of the key producers of a special type of local silk known as Tsumugi Silk Pongee, which has its origins that can be traced back to 1,300 years. This silk is dyed using locally sourced mud dyes, and is meticulously handwoven and takes over six months to develop.

24. Hashima

Hashima, an island just 20 kilometers/12 miles from Nagasaki Port (see map), is a haven for lovers of haikyo, the hobby of exploring abandoned architecture (and often taking photos of such discoveries). Until 1974, the island was home to a population of 5,000 mining workers and their families, who lived in compact high rise apartment complexes that took over a large portion of the island's 480 by 150 meter/1500 by 500 foot wide landmass. The island's coal-rich qualities were discovered in the 1880s, and it was purchased by the Mitsubishi Corporation to be turned into a mining site. Home to shops, restaurants, schools, and other attractions, the island was its own tiny functioning city swept out to sea. In 1974, the island was abandoned and left to the mercy of typhoons, ocean breeze, and nature, making for a rather spooky landscape. Today guests can join tours to explore what's left of the islands, but you can't get too close to the buildings in case they collapse, so guests beware.

25. Yakushima

Part of Kagoshima prefecture, Yakushima is known unofficially as being the island that inspired the lush, enchanting backdrop for the legendary Ghibli film Princess Mononoke. This mossy, subtropical island (see map), is home to a collection of ancient cedar trees called yakusugi (combining the name of the island and the Japanese word for cedar, sugi), some of which are estimated to be between 1,000 and 7,000 years old! The island is known for its cedar crafts; they collect the materials by picking up pieces of yakusugi tree trunks, that have fallen in the forest, then cut the pieces up and them to the local master craftsmen who craft daily utensils and incredible decorative wooden sculptures. This is definitely one of the Best Places to Enjoy the Japanese Countryside.

26. Tanegashima

While neighboring Yakushima will usually take the plaudits as the most attractive island in the Osumi archipelago, Tanegashima has its own charm, too. Within its biodiverse subtropical forests you’ll find kofun, or ancient burial mounds, and winding hiking trails that are quite manageable due to the island’s fairly flat topography. Tanegashima is also famed for its beaches; Kumano Kaisuiyokujo Beach is the pick of the bunch, with temperate waters perfect for swimming and a camping site on its eastern flank. You should also check out the Tanegashima Space Center, the largest rocket launching facility in Japan. Used by JAXA, Japan’s NASA equivalent, the space center holds daily tours of the facilities.

27. Heigun Island

Heigun island, lying 13.5 miles (22km) off the coast of Yamaguchi Prefecture, is an island of fishermen, particularly renowned for its abundance of octopi. There’s also a local brand of sweet potato, cultivated only on Heigun, which has fostered a booming shochu industry. When not sampling the local produce, you can amble past its pristine coastline and grasslands or hike to the summits of the small mountains bookending its main fishing port.

28. Fukue Island

Part of the Goto Islands, meaning Five-Island Chain, Fukue lies off the coast of Nagasaki Prefecture. Best known for its links to Christianity, as it harbored closeted Christians when the religion was banned during the Edo period, you can still find churches dotted across its hilly terrain. Visitors also search for its secluded beaches, banking the crystal blue waters of the East China Sea, or head to the castle ruins near the Port of Fukue.

29. Kii Oshima

Kii Oshima sits just off the coast of Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, a popular year-round scuba diving spot. The coastline is famed for its striking sea stacks, rising above the water like the cracked and jagged teeth of a submerged sea beast. There are hiking trails throughout the island and an observation deck which looks over the Hashigui Iwa rock formation and towards the mountainous Honshu mainland.

30. Miyajima/Itsukushima

© JordyMeow / Creative Commons, Miyajima Torii

Sitting just a little over an hour away from Hiroshima (see map), the island of Itsukushima, also know as Miyajima, is a popular tourist destination thanks in large part to its giant torii gate, which, submerged in the sea, looks as though it's floating during high tide. As well as being home to this iconically Japanese scene, the island has its fair share of history and unique creative culture. Itsukushima Shrine, the shrine to which the floating torii belongs, also sits on the water and boasts a theater for Noh, a traditional Japanese performing art. The area was once home to a vibrant community of merchants too who would do trade up and down the coast. At the Miyajima Museum of History and Folklore, an old merchant house turned museum; you can see just how these savvy business people used to live and admire the tools they used to go about their daily lives.

31. Sado Island

Lying just off the coast of mainland Niigata prefecture (see map), Sado Island is one of the larger Japanese islands on this list and is also home to a very interesting gold history. Gold mine Sado Kinzan was the nation's most productive gold mine. During its peak, which was around the Edo period, it produced around 400kg/half a ton of gold annually as well as silver and copper. Today much of the mine is still open, and guests can wander through the displays showcasing just what Edo-era gold mining looked like. Beyond gold, however, the island is a place of rich cultural legacy, as it was the place of exile for Emperor Juntoku, the Buddhist monk Nichiren and Zeami Motokiyo, the man who founded Noh theater. Check out our Complete Guide to Noh Theater if you want to learn more.

32. Miyako Island

Floating 100 kilometers/60 miles north of Okinawa's other iconic Yaeyama Islands, the tropical Miyako Island is a picture-perfect island escape known for being home to some of the best beaches in the nation (see map). Boasting coral reefs, colorful marine life, and excellent sunny weather, Miyako is a popular place for snorkeling and diving as well as a multitude of other water sports. If you want to see another side of tropical Japan - one that isn't pristine sandy coast and clear blue water - be sure to visit the Tropical Botanical Garden where you can admire around 1,600 different types of plants that include foliage from other tropical landscapes like Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Hawai’i. The island is also home to a very special, site-specific installation by artist by Mariko Mori. Known as the work consists of a sphere that changes color in response to the tides known as Moon Stone, and a pillar Sun Pillar, which casts a shadow across the bay during the winter solstice.

33. Aoshima

Known colloquially as Cat Island, Aoshima is a quiet island that sits just off the coast of Ehime prefecture (see map). To be fair, if you're not interested in cats, there's probably not too much reason to visit. But if you have a propensity for the feline, then this island with a population of cat to human ration of eight to one, is heaven! While most of the cats are wild, they're very friendly and used to human interest, so don' t be surprised if they come up and say hello (probably on the hunt for snacks). Apart from the shrine, there's no real tourist spots or restaurants or vending machines for that matter, so be sure to bring your own food and be prepared to take your trash home with you. Feline fans can also check out 10 Greatest Japanese Cat Paintings You Will Love.

34. Iki Island

Situated between Fukuoka and Korea, and is easily accessible from Saga prefecture, Iki Island is technically under the government of Nagasaki prefecture (see map). The island has plenty of outdoor attractions and similar to the Okinawa islands, a culture all unto itself. Legend has it that Iki was a floating island many, many years ago. It is said that it used to float between Japan, China, and the Korean Peninsula, but later the gods nailed it in place using eight pegs. You can still see some of these eight pegs today, like Sakyobana, which sits 80 meters/250 feet off the coast. It's a 20-meter/65-foot high jagged geological formation that pierces through the ocean rises up out of the water standing tall about proud like a nail pegged down by the gods.

35. Hateruma

Sitting 60 kilometers/40 miles south of Ishigaki Island (see map), Hateruma is one of Okinawa's best-kept secrets. This peaceful tropical paradise is home to less than 500 residents and is the southernmost inhabited island of Japan. While in terms of landscape, it's similar to its picturesque neighbor islands, it does have two key attractions; clear night skies so bright you can read the stars and the monument of Japan's southernmost point. It's not too easy to access, but once you get there, you'll agree it's well worth the journey.