Japan is a country of islands, so when the topic of Japan’s best islands comes up, it requires a bit of parsing. Are you talking about Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku?
(Spoiler alert: For the purposes of this post, we are not.)
The good news? Even if you’ve explored Japan’s main islands dozens of times like I have, the country has literally dozens of other offshore spots to discover. The better news? I’ve compiled more than a decade of findings into a guide to the best islands to visit in Japan.
How to Get to and Around Japan’s Outlying Islands
Although (obviously) not served by the country’s world-famous train network, it’s easy both to reach most of the best islands in Japan, as well as to get around once you do. In most cases, getting to the island of your choice is a matter of taking a high-speed hydrofoil ferry from the nearest port city, though in some cases you’ll need to go by bus or even by plane.
Once you arrive, you have a few options. I usually like to rent a car, rather than depending upon public transportation networks, which tend to be bare bones on most Japanese islands. Prefer to explore by water rather than by road? Using a service like YACHTZOO to charter a luxury yacht could be an enchanting option, no matter which of the islands below you end up choosing to explore.
Japan’s Best Outlying Islands
Goto Islands, Nagasaki
Nagasaki is one of Japan’s most underrated prefectures in general, so it makes sense that the tropical Goto Islands also defy expectations. Whether driving around the main island of Fukue or going by ferry to its satellites, you’ll discover stunning landscapes, gorgeous beaches and unique churches that are part of the “hidden Christians” narrative.
BONUS: If you’re planning to spend a lot of time in Nagasaki, you can also visit Iki and Tsushima, two islands a bit to the east of Goto.
Sado Island, Niigata
Another option for island hopping in Japan requires starting in Niigata, which is itself pretty far off the beaten path. With that being said, getting a ferry over to Sado Island isn’t a tall order if you’ve already made it this far. Sado is charming and authentic, whether you ride in a unique “tub boat,” frolic through a field of lilies or catch an outdoor Noh performance.
Awaji Island, Hyogo
Awaji Island connects Japan’s largest main island of Honshu to Shikoku, the smallest of the four, via Kobe and Tokushima, respectively. In spite of being relatively large (not to mention, well-connected to both of these others by road), Awajishima manages to feel bucolic. Visit attractions like Sumoto Castle, or dig deep (pun intended) into local food and drink, which centers around the onion, Awaji’s most famous crop.
Yakushima Island, Kagoshima
Yakushima was the first of the offshore Japanese islands I ever visited, and holds a special place in my heart because of that. Most travelers who come here are fans of the anime Princess Mononoke, whose scenery the island’s towering cedars and mysterious forests inspired. Even if you don’t have that background, however, I have a feeling you’ll leave this place (which is a short jetfoil ride from Kagoshima) inspired.
Okinawa
I almost didn’t include Okinawa (which is an archipelago, rather than one island) on this list. But how could I not? Whether you come here for Japan’s best beaches (and truly, some of the best in the world) or unique local cuisine, islands like Ishigaki, Miyako and Ie are almost like a separate country from the rest of Japan. (Which makes sense, given that they once comprised the independent Ryukyu Kingdom.)
How Much Time Do Outlying Islands Add to Your Japan Trip?
As a general rule, you need to add a minimum of three days to your Japan trip for each island you add to your trip, with Okinawa and the Goto Islands requiring a minimum of five since you will usually visit more than one island in those archipelagoes. If you’re coming back to Japan after having explored the tourist trail, or have a longer amount of time to spend (say, a month in Japan rather than 1-2 weeks), this shouldn’t be a problem.
Now, part of this assumes you’ll be able to reach an easy conclusion about the best offshore islands in Japan. The reality, of course, is that this often isn’t possible, which presents a conundrum. Either you end up getting forced into making a choice based on time constraints. Or—and this is my favorite way for things to turn out—you vow to come back to Japan in the future again. And again. And again!
Other FAQ About Island Hopping in Japan
Are Japan’s islands worth visiting?
Japan’s offshore islands are absolutely worth exploring—and not just if you’ve seen most of Japan’s core attractions already, although this can help you avoid FOMO if you remove, say, Hiroshima from your itinerary in favor of Sado Island. Thanks to the country’s long history, most offshore islands in Japan are every bit as “Japanese” as the main ones.
What is the best tropical destination in Japan?
Take it from someone who has extensively explored the tropics: The beaches of Japan’s Okinawa are some of the best in the world, and can easily compare with those you find in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. In fact, while exploring Okinawa, I often wonder why so many Japanese people choose to spend as much time in Hawaii (which has less beautiful beaches and is much more expensive) as they do.
Which is the most beautiful island in Japan?
It’s impossible to name just one island in Japan as being the most beautiful. However, I’d say for most travelers than tropical islands such as Ie, Miyako and Ishigaki (all within Japan’s Okinawa archipelago) probably best fit the “beauty” bill, at least when it comes to postcard-perfect beaches.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t a comprehensive round-up for the best islands to visit in Japan. Creating one of those would require me to write a 5,000-word online novella, which I don’t have the energy to do—and, if I have a feeling, most of you wouldn’t care to read. But that’s fine: I know you are capable of using the gist of what I’ve written here to create your own amazing island hopping trip, whether that takes you to tropical Okinawa or underrated Sado Island. Have the desire to plan a trip, but not the time to put it together? I’ve got a solution for that, too! Namely, you can hire me to create a custom Japan itinerary for you!