Iki Food, Onsen, Sea, & Sights

If you're planning a trip to Japan, how about visiting Iki island in Nagasaki Prefecture in Kyushu?
It takes about an hour by ferry to reach Iki from Fukuoka Prefecture. It is a popular tourist island in Japan.
Of course, the food is great and there are many tourist sights, beautiful natural scenery, shrines, and historic sights, and other Japanese cultural things. A hot spring is something you must try in Japan. There is so much variety on Iki.
Surrounded by ocean, marine sports are popular on white sandy beaches and a crystal-clear ocean.
When traveling with friends or family, please include Iki in your plans.

Yunomoto is a hot spring town with an outdoor onsen bath affording great ocean views.
While bathing and gazing at the sunset sky, the natural air will relax and refresh you.
In spring or fall, enjoy the season while in the hot spring.
This picturesque onsen town with columns of steam is the island's prime place to relax.

Being an isolated island, Iki has unspoiled nature. Below the big sky is grand nature.
The natural background hosts many manmade sights. During fine weather, here are some Iki sights to see.

辰ノ島

: An uninhabited island only 2 km northwest of Matsumoto Port on Iki's northern tip. Surrounded by a crystal-clear, emerald-green ocean. From March to October, cruise boats go to Tatsunoshima for fun on the island.

: One of Iki's famous tourist sights is a natural basalt rock formation that looks like a monkey looking away. A must-see and must-photograph spot for your travel memories of Iki.

イルカパーク

: A seaside park built in a natural inlet. Bottlenose dolphins make it a popular attraction for families. There is also a playground for children.

月読神社

Iki island in the Genkai Sea measures only 17 km north–south and 15 km east–west. However, it is dotted with over 1,000 Shinto shrines. Since it supposedly has Japan's highest concentration of gods, Iki is popular among tourists as a "power spot" for Japan's unique culture.

原の辻遺跡

: Harunotsuji is a large, moated settlement built during the 4th to 2nd century B.C. This is one of Japan's three Yayoi Period ruins designated as a Special National Historic Site.

岳の辻

: Takenotsuji is the island's highest mountain at an elevation of 212.8 m. Commanding grand scenic views, the mountain has served as a lookout post and a strategic point for national defense.

一支国博物館

: The museum explains about the Ikikoku Province and ancient Yamatai state as written in the Records of the Three Kingdoms' Book of Wei. See a diorama of Harunotsuji that flourished as the royal capital.

While enveloped by the blue sky and blue ocean, both kids and adults can have lots of fun!
Besides white-sand beaches, there's lots to do like scuba diving (watching the fish is relaxing), fishing, and other marine sports.

バナナボート

: Riding on a banana boat is a popular marine activity. Going through the super-blue ocean under a big sky is such a fantastic feeling.

ダイビング

: Dive in Iki's crystal-clear ocean as the fish swim before you. Even beginners can safely try the 120-min. introductory diving class.

シーカヤック　

: Paddle leisurely on a sea kayak over the transparent ocean. See how beautiful Iki looks from the sea. Great activity for kids and parents.

: Since Iki is where the Kuroshio Current and Kurile Current meet, its coastal waters are rich fishing grounds. You can fish for seasonal fish at the wharf or on a boat.

With so little online travel information about Iki, many people wonder how to plan an enjoyable trip.
Hopefully, this sample itinerary will help you!

10:30 Depart Hakata Port, Fukuoka.

11:35 Arrive Ashibe Port.

: First, dine on extra thick sirloin steak cooked on a hot iron plate at Umeshima restaurant which operates its own cattle farm. Fine Iki beef!

13:00 Ondake Shrine is one of

The start of your trip to Iki! By hydrofoil boat, it takes only an hour to Iki,
a coastal resort.As the sea breeze delights you, you have arrived on Iki. Your tour of Iki starts now!First, dine on extra thick sirloin steak cooked on a hot iron plate at Umeshima restaurant which operates its own cattle farm. Fine Iki beef!When your prayers come true, it is customary to offer a stone monkey at Ondake Shrine. Next to the shrine are over 200 of them.Sakyo-bana is on the island's nose-like protrusion lined with high cliffs. It gives a feeling of vast openness. Nearby are the Horahoge Jizo guardian statues standing in the ocean. At high tide, the statues go underwater and pray for marine safety. They are the guardians of Iki. After you pray to them for a safe trip, go to the family home of Iki-native Yasuzaemon Matsunaga, dubbed the King of Electric Power. The home is now a museum. It traces the history of a great man who helped promote the electrification of modern Japan.

: Enjoy the ocean view and a great dinner with fish and meat!

7:30 Island breakfast

8:30 Checkout

: Go on a cruise to Tatsunoshima island, one of Iki's major sights on the emerald-green ocean. See the Ocean Palace, Mammoth Rock, Shell Rock, and other sights.
*Cruise fare for adults: ¥1,500, Children: ¥750.

Yoshimoto Shokudo restaurant's katsudon pork cutlet bowl: ¥650 (including tax): The thick and juicy pork will flood your mouth with superb taste. The chef's smile is great too.

Mocha Java Cafe Okubo's Iki Beef Burger: ¥900 (including tax): Hamburger with just spices, egg, and 100% Iki beef! A relaxing cafe in tune with the island's rhythm.

Restaurant Taiko's Fresh Sea Urchin Rice Bowl: ¥2,500(including tax): Topped on a bowl of rice are 20 pieces of sea urchin (uni),
a local delicacy. They only use top-grade sea urchin.

14:25 Depart Ashibe Port.

15：30

Plan your trip to see an event on Iki held only once a year.
Many events are held on Iki and many repeat visitors come to see events in different seasons.
Of course, first-time visitors are very welcome too.

: Iki's summer fireworks are launched close to where the spectators are. So when there is a large one bursting in the sky, you can feel the vibrations. Held annually in August.

: Held on the uninhabited island of Tatsunoshima on the fifth Sunday of July or on the first Sunday of August. Paddle on a sea kayak, shatter a watermelon, or catch fish in the ocean. A fun day designed for both kids and adults. Boat fare for adults ¥500 and children ¥300.

: Daidai Kagura Dance dates back to the Muromachi Period 700 years ago. It is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. A sacred dance performed at Sumiyoshi Shrine for seven to eight hours only by Shinto priests.