If you are looking for a different side of Japan, away from the crowds of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, Himeshima Island is the kind of place I would recommend putting on your list.
Himeshima is a very small island in northern Oita Prefecture, floating in the Seto Inland Sea. It is quiet, scenic, and still feels very local. There are no big tourist attractions or busy resort areas here. Instead, you get dramatic coastlines, small roads, traditional buildings, unusual geological formations, a historic lighthouse, local seafood, and plenty of places where you can simply stop and enjoy the view.
The island is also part of Setonaikai National Park and is recognized as a Japan Geopark because of its volcanic geological history. Himeshima was formed through volcanic activity, and evidence of that history can be seen throughout the island.
I visited Himeshima and found that its small size is actually one of its biggest advantages.
You don’t need a complicated itinerary here.
One or two days is enough to see the main sights, explore the coastline, visit the lighthouse, and experience the slower pace of island life.
And if you are traveling as a couple, there is an especially fun way to explore the island.
Where Is Himeshima Island?
Himeshima is located in Oita Prefecture on Kyushu, in western Japan.
Although it is a relatively small and little-known destination for international visitors, the island has a surprisingly interesting history and landscape.
Himeshima is famous for its:
- volcanic landscapes
- obsidian cliffs
- coastal scenery
- historic lighthouse
- traditional legends
- small fishing communities
- local seafood
- Himeshima Seven Wonders
- peaceful island atmosphere
The island’s geology is particularly interesting. Himeshima was created by volcanic activity and consists of several volcanic formations that eventually became connected by sandbars. Today, you can see cliffs, lava formations, sea caves, and other geological features around the island.
This makes Himeshima quite different from the tropical Japanese islands you might normally see in travel guides.
How to Get to Himeshima from Tokyo
If you live in Tokyo, I would fly rather than take the train.
The easiest route is:
Tokyo Haneda Airport → Oita Airport → Imi Port → Himeshima
The official Himeshima Village access guide currently lists the flight from Haneda to Oita as approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
From Oita Airport, Imi Port in Kunisaki City is approximately 50 minutes by car or rental car. You can also travel by bus, although it requires a transfer and takes longer.
From Imi Port, the Himeshima Ferry takes approximately 20 minutes to reach Himeshima Port.
So the journey itself is surprisingly manageable.
The easiest route from Tokyo
- Fly from Haneda Airport to Oita Airport.
- Rent a car at Oita Airport or arrange transportation to Imi Port.
- Drive to Imi Port.
- Leave your car at the port if you don’t want to take it to the island.
- Take the Himeshima Ferry.
- Rent a small electric vehicle on Himeshima.
There is a free parking area for visitors at Imi Port, which makes leaving a rental car on the mainland particularly convenient.
The ferry crossing takes only about 20 minutes, so the final part of the journey feels more like a little adventure than a long transfer.
Ferry Teminal for Himeshima is the mainland departure point, while Himeshima ferry port is where you arrive on the island.
Can You Take a Train from Tokyo to Himeshima?
Yes, but I wouldn’t choose this option unless you specifically enjoy long train journeys.
The official island access information gives the following route:
Tokyo → Kokura → Usa → Imi Port → Himeshima
From Tokyo, the Shinkansen journey to Kokura is approximately 4 hours 45 minutes. From Kokura, you take the Sonic limited express to Usa, which takes about 50 minutes. From Usa Station, it is approximately one hour by car or bus to Imi Port, followed by the 20-minute ferry.
It is certainly possible, but for a short island getaway, flying to Oita makes much more sense.
The Best Way to Explore Himeshima
This is one of my favorite things about Himeshima.
The island is tiny.
You don’t need to spend several days here, and you don’t need a complicated transportation plan.
For two people, I would recommend renting one of the island’s small electric vehicles.
Himeshima Ecotourism offers ultra-compact electric vehicles designed for one or two passengers, as well as larger vehicles and electric scooters.
There are currently two particularly interesting two-person options:
- NMC — 2 passengers
- C+pod — 2 passengers
Current listed rates are:
NMC
- 1 hour — ¥3,300
- 2 hours — ¥5,500
- 4 hours — ¥7,700
C+pod
- 1 hour — ¥4,400
- 2 hours — ¥6,600
- 4 hours — ¥9,900
International driver’s license holders are also allowed to drive the rental vehicles, according to the local operator.
For a couple, this is honestly a much more fun way to experience Himeshima than trying to organize every stop around public transportation.
You can simply drive along the small island roads, stop when you see an interesting view, visit the lighthouse, explore the coast, and continue whenever you feel like it.
How Long Do You Need in Himeshima?
Two days is more than enough for most travelers.
In fact, if you are visiting Himeshima as part of a larger Kyushu trip, you could see the main sights in one full day.
But I recommend staying overnight if you have the time.
The island is not about rushing between attractions. Its appeal is the atmosphere.
You can spend the first day exploring the coastline and geological sights, visit the lighthouse in the afternoon, have a local seafood dinner, and enjoy a much quieter evening than you would experience in a major Japanese city.
Then you can have a relaxed morning before taking the ferry back to the mainland.
My ideal Himeshima itinerary
Day 1
- Arrive by ferry
- Pick up your mini electric car
- Explore Kannonzaki
- Visit the Himeshima Seven Wonders
- Drive along the Blue Line
- Visit Himeshima Lighthouse
- Watch the sunset
- Have a local seafood dinner
Day 2
- Slow breakfast
- Explore anything you missed
- Visit additional geological sites
- Stop at the beach
- Return the rental car
- Take the ferry back to Imi Port
You really don’t need more than that.
Kannonzaki: One of the Most Beautiful Places on Himeshima
If you visit only one natural attraction on Himeshima, I would make it Kannonzaki.
This is one of the island’s most spectacular landscapes, with dramatic obsidian cliffs overlooking the sea.
The cliffs reach approximately 40 meters high and 120 meters wide, and the area was designated a National Natural Monument in 2007 as the “Himeshima Obsidian Source.”
Standing there and looking out over the water, it is easy to forget that you are still in Japan’s relatively densely populated main islands.
The scenery feels wild and remote.
There is also a small shrine called Sennindo at the tip of the cliffs. The local tradition dates the shrine to the Kamakura period.
This was one of the places where I felt that Himeshima’s greatest attraction is not a single monument but the combination of sea, cliffs, history, and silence.
Himeshima Lighthouse
Another place worth visiting is Himeshima Lighthouse, located at the eastern end of the island.
The lighthouse was built in 1904 and stands on a dramatic cliff above the sea. It is approximately 12 meters high and was constructed from granite. The original lighthouse equipment included a British-made fourth-order quadruple flashing lens.
The location is just as impressive as the lighthouse itself.
On a clear day, you can look across the Seto Inland Sea and see distant mountains on the mainland and Shikoku.
The lighthouse area has also been developed as a park and is known as one of Himeshima’s best cherry blossom viewing locations in spring.
For photography, this is definitely somewhere I would bring a camera.
Himeshima’s Seven Wonders
One of the more unusual things about the island is its collection of local legends known as the Himeshima Seven Wonders.
These aren’t typical tourist attractions. They are small natural or cultural sites connected with stories that have been passed down through generations.
The seven include:
- Sennindo
- Ukita
- Byōshi-mizu
- Kanetsukeishi
- Sakasa Yanagi
- Ukisu
- Amida Kaki
Some of the legends are connected with a mysterious princess who is said to have lived on the island.
One of the most interesting is Byōshi-mizu, or “Clapping Water.” According to the legend, the princess needed water and clapped her hands in prayer, causing water to spring from the ground.
Another legend tells the story of the Upside-Down Willow, where a willow branch supposedly took root after being planted upside down.
Whether you believe the stories or simply enjoy them as part of the island’s folklore, they give Himeshima a personality that many small Japanese islands don’t have.
Himeshima Is Also a Geopark
If you enjoy unusual landscapes, Himeshima is worth visiting for its geology alone.
The island’s volcanic history goes back approximately 300,000 years, and seven volcanic formations are identified on the island.
At Kannonzaki, you can see the island’s famous obsidian cliffs.
Around the coast there are also sea caves, lava formations, cliffs and other evidence of the volcanic activity that shaped Himeshima.
This is one reason I think the island works particularly well for travelers who have already seen the major tourist destinations in Japan and want something different.
It doesn’t feel like another checklist destination.
Himeshima by Car: The Perfect Small Island Road Trip
If you enjoy driving, I think this is one of the best reasons to visit Himeshima.
The island’s roads are small and the distances are short, so you can explore without worrying about spending hours behind the wheel.
The local tourism organization itself recommends exploring the island by rental vehicle, with suggested routes including Kannonzaki, the Himeshima Seven Wonders, the Blue Line, the lighthouse, local food, and Byōshi-mizu.
And because the island is so compact, you can stop frequently.
See an interesting coastline?
Stop.
Find a beautiful view?
Stop.
Want to take photographs?
Stop.
That is exactly the kind of travel I enjoy.
What to Eat on Himeshima
Himeshima is also known for seafood, particularly Himeshima kuruma ebi, or Japanese tiger prawns.
The island’s fishing industry is an important part of local life, and kuruma ebi aquaculture is one of its major industries.
This is a destination where I would choose a small local restaurant over a polished tourist restaurant.
The point of visiting Himeshima is experiencing the island itself.
Is Himeshima Worth Visiting?
Yes — especially if you have already seen the major tourist destinations in Japan.
I wouldn’t recommend flying from Tokyo to Oita only to spend a few hours on Himeshima.
Instead, I would combine it with a Kyushu trip.
For example:
Tokyo → Oita → Himeshima → Beppu → Yufuin → Tokyo
That would make a much more interesting trip than simply visiting the usual Japanese tourist cities.
And if you love quiet places, coastal scenery and destinations that still feel authentic, Himeshima could easily become one of the most memorable stops.
My Tips for Visiting Himeshima
1. Give yourself at least one full day.
You can see a lot in a day, but staying overnight gives you a chance to experience the island at a slower pace.
2. Rent a small car if you’re traveling as a couple.
The two-person electric vehicles are particularly convenient for exploring the island.
3. Check the ferry schedule before you go.
The ferry takes about 20 minutes and operates multiple times a day, but schedules change seasonally. The official timetable currently lists 12 daily services in the main season, with the final service suspended from December 1 through March 31.
4. Don’t try to rush.
Himeshima is tiny. That’s the point.
5. Bring comfortable shoes.
Some of the coastal viewpoints and cliff areas involve uneven ground or steps.
6. Check the weather.
The island is at its best when the sky is clear and you can see across the Seto Inland Sea.
Himeshima Travel Guide: Is Two Days Enough?
Absolutely.
For me, one night and two days is the perfect amount of time for Himeshima.
It is small enough that you can explore the major sights without rushing, but interesting enough that you won’t feel like you’ve simply come to an island with nothing to do.
Rent a little electric car, drive around the coast, stop at Kannonzaki, see the lighthouse, look for the Seven Wonders, eat local seafood, and simply enjoy being somewhere much quieter.
That is the beauty of Himeshima.
It isn’t trying to compete with Tokyo or Kyoto.
It is the opposite.
Himeshima is a place to slow down.
And that’s exactly why I think it deserves a place on a Japan travel itinerary.
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