Formed of 14,125 islands tumbling into the surrounding seas, Japan has captivating coastal scenery to spare. And while each island is as pretty as the next, picking where to go depends on what you want to see and do. Craving tropical island bliss? Looking for quirky art installations? Ready to lace up your boots and hike through ancient forests? Whatever it may be, read on for where to find this and more with our pick of the most beautiful islands in Japan...
1. Miyajima - Hiroshima
2. Ishigaki - Okinawa
3. Yakushima - Kagoshima
4. Naoshima - Kagawa
5. Nokonoshima - Fukuoka
Miyajima – Hiroshima
Sitting a short ferry ride from Hiroshima's shore, Miyajima wows with its iconic torii gate at the entrance to Istukushima Shrine (which acts as a gateway to the sacred realm). But with thousands of torii gates in Japan, what makes this one so special? Standing solo in the Seto Inland Sea, Miyajima’s appears to float at high tide, its vermillion-red colour contrasting against the lush green forests of Mount Misen. However, this isn’t the only reason why Miyajima is one of the most beautiful islands in Japan. It’s home to friendly, free-roaming and sacred Sika deer; it flaunts seasonal cherry blossoms, golden leaves and dustings of snow; and it serves up deliciously fresh oysters caught on its beaches (your tastebuds will thank you).
Ishigaki – Okinawa
It’s hard to believe that Ishigaki is in Japan. Forget dazzling city lights, bullet trains and temples – Ishigaki is all about tropical island bliss. A holiday here promises sensational snorkelling below the waves and top-notch stargazing in the skies above; at night, you can witness a whopping 84 of the 88 known constellations from its sands. No biggie. As part of Okinawa’s Yaeyama Islands, Ishigaki also serves as a launching pad to discover other smaller (but no less beautiful) islands in Japan like Taketomi, known for its well-preserved traditional Ryukyu-style houses.
Yakushima – Kagoshima
Anime fans will recognise the forest-cloaked Yakushima as the setting that inspired the film Princess Mononoke – the rest of us will simply be awestruck by the island’s mystical beauty. Its ancient cedar trees, including the estimated 2,000 to 7,200-year-old Jomon Sugi, have earned the island its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site and pave the way for pretty hiking trails. Yakushima is also often called the ‘Alps of the Ocean’ thanks to its rugged mountain ranges, including the 6,350ft-tall Miyanouradake, home to rare endemic species like the Yakushima macaque and deer.
Naoshima – Kagawa
Naoshima knows a thing or two about contemporary art. As soon as you hop off the ferry at Miyanoura port, you’ll be greeted by Yayoi Kusama’s red polka-dot pumpkin – a short walk away, you’ll also find the matching yellow pumpkin at Benesse House. Other stunning spots include the Chichu Art Museum (whose building is a work of art in itself), Naoshima Bath (a public bath-turned-immersive art experience), and the minimalist-art-inspired Lee Ufan Museum. In short, it’s a must-visit for art aficionados.
Image by Letizia Le Fur.
Nokonoshima – Fukuoka
Nokonoshima is a technicolour petal paradise. Located a stone’s throw from Fukuoka, this little island is famous for its seasonal flower fields in Nokonoshima Island Park – picture pink cherry blossoms in spring, yellow sunflowers in summer and purple cosmos flowers in autumn. Life slows down a notch here, with quiet coastal roads perfect for cycling, ocean-view restaurants serving the island’s signature Nokonoshima burgers and lazy summer swimming spots galore.
Written by Evie Buller | Header Image by Romain Laprade.
