Comprising 44 islands in southwest Hyogo Prefecture, the lesser-known Ieshima Islands are spread across the Harima Nada area of the Seto Inland Sea and form part of the Setonaikai National Park. While the scattering of islands peaking from the waters makes for a spectacular scenic sight, the four inhabited islands of Ieshima, Bozejima, Tangajima, and Nishijima offer a selection of unique cultural and outdoor experiences for visitors – only 30 minutes by ferry from Himeji Port. While Ieshima Island and Bozejima offer a selection of small inns and restaurants for guests to stay overnight and experience some of the freshly caught seafood the islands are known for, here’s a guide to the four main islands and what to see and do on each.
Ieshima
Regarded as the main island in the Ieshima Islands archipelago, the most populated island of Ieshima offers visitors a blend of historical, cultural and scenic spots to explore – accessible in around 30 minutes from Himeji Port using the high-speed Ieshima or Takafuku Liner.
Ieshima Shrine is the most significant shrine in the Ieshima Islands, dedicated to the safety of the islands’ seafarers. Situated on top of a hill surrounded by lush forest with panoramic views of the Inland Sea, a visit to Ieshima Shrine offers a scenic and peaceful experience for visitors. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting at the end of July, you can also witness the annual Ieshima Tenjin Festival, which features traditional dance performances.
The Himeji City Ieshima B&G Maritime Center is also a must-see destination for outdoor adventurers keen to enjoy marine sports around the island. The centre offers visitors the chance to take part in guided boating, windsurfing and kayaking tours to experience the magnificent coastal landscapes, visiting tiny coves and sea caves along the way.
With most scenic spots and activities only a short distance apart, Ieshima Island is also a great place to explore on foot – stroll along the narrow alleys of the quaint island townscape stopping at ancient wells and pumps as well as the large Dongamessan stone shaped like a turtle. Around mid-May, you can visit the island’s bamboo groves at night to witness the spectacular sight of thousands of fireflies illuminating the night sky.
Map link to Ieshima Island
Bozejima
Known as “The Fishing Island”, Bozejima has the most active fishing industry of all the islands and is home to the second largest population in the islands. The island is accessible from Himeji Port in about 30 minutes using the Boze Hikari Kisen, or in around 10 minutes from Ieshima Island via the Boze Tosen, or in around 10 minutes from Tangajima Island via the Boze Hikari Kisen.
Visit the lively fishing port in the early morning to see the day’s catch land on the island as well as the many traditional fishing boats filling the harbour. Next to the fishing port, you can take a short walk to the tiny islet of Bentejima which is home to a small shrine dedicated to the god of the sea.
In the summer months, take a swim or snorkel in the calm and clear shallow waters at Boze Beach, while all year round, you can walk the paved pathways that wind around the island to see expansive coastal views and visit hidden beaches. The Boze Island Scenic Viewing Spot and Mt Kashiwa Observation Deck are also worth visiting for their elevated panoramic views over the island’s forested interior and meandering coastlines.
Map link to Bozejima Island
Tangajima
Once a major supplier of granite, the Island of Tangajima is historically a quarry island and is now home to fascinating industry ruins, including quarry tools and pathways. It takes around 30 minutes to reach the island from Himeji Port and about 10 minutes from Boze Island using the Boze Hikari Kisen.
Less inhabited than Ieshima and Bozejima, Tangajima is the perfect destination for scenic hikes through the rugged terrain to coastal cliffs with sweeping sea views and secluded beaches and coves where you can enjoy a peaceful picnic.
Tangajima is also known for its walking trail which circumnavigates the island and leads you past many of the island’s cultural and scenic highlights. Aoinohama Beach and Tatenohama Beach are the two main beaches on the island and are ideal for swimming and relaxing on the white sands in summer. Meanwhile, the Shika Koen (Deer Park), Tanga Todai (lighthouse), and Oyama Shrine are also top places to visit on your trip to Tangajima Island.
Map link to Tangajima Island
Nishijima
The largest of the Ieshima Islands by size, but also the most sparsely populated of the inhabited islands, Nishijima is a playground for nature enthusiasts. Visit Nishijima for the Hyogo Prefectural Ieshima Nature Experience Center which features a lodge and campground and activities including canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. Nishijima is a renowned location for nature walks along peaceful forested trails and rocky shorelines dotted with tide pools. To get to Nishijima, it takes about 50 minutes from Himeji Port, or about 20 minutes from Bozashima Island using the Boze Hikari Kisen.
Map link to Nishijima Island
Visitors can explore the best of the Setouchi Region by choosing from one of 23 ‘Setouchi Journeys’, where curated routes take travellers on three to five-night journeys across the region. Find out more about the different routes and itineraries here.
