The Oki Islands (隠岐諸島, Oki shotō or 隠岐の島 Oki-no-shima) are an archipelago in Shimane, about 100 km off the coast of mainland Japan.

Understand

The Oki Islands have been settled since antiquity, but due to their remoteness are best known as a place of exile. In 1221, figurehead Emperor Go-Toba attempted to rebel against the ruling Kamakura shogunate, but was exiled here and died. In 1332, Emperor Go-Daigo also rebelled and was exiled here, but unlike his hapless predecessor, he managed not only to escape, but to overthrow the shogunate and wrest control of all Japan in the short-lived Kenmu Restoration.

There are around 180 islands, but only four these are inhabited. 1 Dōgo (島後, "After Island"), is the furthest away from the mainland but also the largest by size and population, with some 15,000 of the islands' 20,000 inhabitants. The other three are 2 Nakanoshima (中ノ島, "Middle Island"), 3 Nishinoshima (西ノ島, "West Island") and 4 Chiburijima (知夫里島), all part of the Dōzen (島前, "Before Islands") group closer to the mainland. The islands are designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Tourist information site

The geopark association and other organizations have a Japanese-only guide site for the whole area.

Get in

The disputed islets Some 180 km northeast of the Oki Islands lie the islets of Dokdo. Firmly under South Korean control, the Japanese government nevertheless insists what they call Takeshima are Japanese territory and a part of the Oki Islands, a continual sore point in the two countries' relations. Should you wish to visit, the only way in is via Ulleungdo in South Korea.

By plane

• 1 Oki Airport (OKI  ^IATA) (3 kilometers south of the center of Okinoshima, on Dōgo). Japan Airlines operated by Japan Air Commuter from Izumo and Osaka–Itami (updated May 2019)

By ferry

Oki Kisen runs up to three ferries per day from Shichirui (七類) and Sakaeminato (境港) on the mainland at the far eastern tip of Shimane. There are connecting buses to Matsue and Sakaeminato (for Yonago) train stations.

All ferries stop at all major islands, with varying stopping patterns. The "Rainbow Jet" hydrofoil completes the trip from Shichirui to Dogo in 50 minutes (¥7,360円), while regular ferries take 2.5 hours (¥3,870 in 2nd class).

See

• Dangyo Falls (壇鏡の滝). Listed as one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls, Dangyo Falls drops 40 feet from above Dangyo Shrine. (updated May 2023)

Go next

• Matsue
• Higashiizumo
• Izumo
• Hikawa
• Yasuda
• Sakaiminato
• Yonago
• Osaka