Nishio Sakushima Island
Geography
• Sakushima is located in the middle of Mikawa Bay, surrounded by the Chita and Atsumi Peninsula.
• Together with Himakajima and Shinojima islands, it forms the Aichi Archipelago.
• An island that is shaped like a crab, measuring 11.5km around and 2km from one side to the other.
• The island has a coastline of 11 kilometers, lined with many low cliffs.
• It is a volcanic rock formation protruding from the seabed.
• The topsoil was blown over by the wind from the mainland (Honshu). The sand on the island’s beaches was brought over for tourism.
• There are four hills from 30 to 35 meters high.
• Seasonal flowers and cats are one of the main attractions of the island. Most of the island is covered by forest. There are bamboo forests, bushes of camellias, plum tree groves and Japanese radish flowers.
• There is no source of water on the island. In the past, people collected rainwater in cisterns. However, now it comes over through pipeline from the mainland.
• There are 12 kilometers of walking paths on the island.
• There is Shirahama beach near the west port, and there is also Ishigaki and Tenjin-no-hama beach. Oura beach has set bathing facilities, so it is recommended for swimming.
History
• Shell mounds were found dating back to the Yayoi period some 3000 years ago. People came here to fish and gather shells, but it is likely that they didn’t settle here.
• About 1400 years ago, people made ‘kofun’ or burial mounds using the island’s sea-stones called ‘saku-ishi.
• The oldest building was the Soun-ji temple, which was built during the Kamakura period, 1300 years ago. The current temple is not old but has been built in the same location.
• Sakushima prospered in the Edo period, some 300 years ago, when it became a safe harbor and trading hub for merchant ships crossing Mikawa Bay. It was called ‘kaze machi minato,’ ‘the wind-waiting harbor,’ because when the wind died down, ships had to wait at anchor.
• The population at its largest was about 1500 people. Today, there are about 250 people.
• There is a small island museum in Benten Salon. (restrooms available).
Life on Sakushima
• Local people live on fishing or tourism. The main attractions of the island are its nature, art, and seafood, in particular octopus, big clams as well as salted sea cucumber entrails (konowata) are local specialties.
• Of the 250 residents, most are elderly living in two towns, with the east village Tsutsuis and the west village Takahashis.
• There are no traffic signals, gas stations, or convenience stores – everything is brought over by ferry from the mainland.
• Shiosai School goes up to junior high school level and has 22 students.
• The traditional houses were named ‘kurokabe’ because their walls were painted with coal tar to protect the wood from the salty sea breeze. Today, black paint is used.
• The houses were built close together, with many narrow winding streets to block the wind and to discourage pirates from entering the village.
• There is a limited number of public restrooms on the island – they are located at the east and west ports and there are some along the coast.
• You can fish along the island’s coast for free.
• Festivals – there is a taiko festival in October. On January 8th, a festival that dates back to the Edo period called Yokako is held at Hakken Shrine. A kite painted with the Chinese character for ‘demon’ (鬼, oni) is raised up toward the sky. On August 14th a Bon festival dance called ‘Yatose’ is held at Soun-ji temple near the west port.
Enjoy!art!
Nature and 22 featured artworks welcome you on Sakushima, an isolated island in Mikawa Bay.
Walk around while viewing artwork, seeing and smelling flowers of the season and listening to singing birds.
Why not spend your time relaxing while never once seeing a traffic signal?
Enjoy visiting fashionable cafes and trying the island’s seafood specialties.
①Benten Salon
You can get all information about Sakushima here. It has restrooms, a small gallery and a museum. There are a number of artworks too.Hours 9:00～17:00 Closed December 29～ January 3, Monday ②Black wall village
The traditional houses are called “kurokabe” because their walls were painted with coal tar to protect the wood from the salty sea breeze.③Ooba Tei
This traditional Japanese house named Obatei is over 100 years old. It has been renovated 6 times using traditional Japanese plastering methods making the whole house into a piece of art.
④Ohirune House
This cube measures 3 meters each side and is divided into 9 individual rooms; it’s an art piece where you can experience the sound of waves and wind, while taking in a square cutout view of the landscape.⑤Kamome-no-Chushajoh
Very popular! Magnificent view with seagulls always on the lookout!
We can utilize this “kazamidori” (weathervane) that shows us the direction of the wind, through this artwork we can see the invisible wind.⑥Kaijin-sama
A somewhat humorous “Kaijin-sama” with a fish on its head. It is an imaginary fishing god created by Toru Matsuoka.
⑦East House
Since it is a house in the eastern district, it is called “East House.” It consists of two different arbors built in the north and south and a long bench of 60 meters connecting them.⑧Benten-dori
⑨Avatar of Kaijin-sama
⑩Sakushima-no-Himitsukichi/Apollo
This is an architectural piece that appears on a cliff overlooking the Atsumi Peninsula through a tunnel of trees. The title of the piece is taken from the Apollo 11 lunar module “Eagle.”-
⑪Purple sand beach
⑫Kleingarten Welcome Space
Kleingarten is an accommodation facility with an agricultural field.
At the entrance is a small park with mosaic tile chairs, a sundial and a mountain-shaped sign, all arranged along cute paths.
⑬Sora no Mizu-Yama
Located in a quiet forest, beside Kobo’s little hokoras(shrines). Its shape is like a temple. The work will rust over time and become a part of the forest.⑭Kita-no-Ribon
Located at the meeting point of the hiking road and the coastal course, this observatory looks like a sculpture. It lightly ties the forest, the ocean, and the sky like a ribbon.⑮Hidamari-an
Renovation of a small park with an old “Azumaya”(arbor) and a bench. The old and dark arbor was regenerated by decorating the mosaic tiles as if it were painted.
⑯Hoshi-wo-omou-Basyo
Let’s go to find a microcosm consisting of “star fragments” collected on the beach. It is beyond the space like a deep-water bottom.
Sakushima Island Cuisine
Enjoy a Sakushima Island lunch in a restaurant or café.
Lunch services are available at some inns if you make a reservation.
Ōasari-don (Large Clams on Rice)
A well-known Sakushima Island dish that uses purple butter clams (uchimurasaki). Deep-fried large clams with a salty-sweet soy sauce-based flavor bound with egg.
The flavor of this dish differs at each shop so please try tasting and comparing them.
Ebi-don (Bowl of Deep-Fried Shrimp on Rice)
Fresh and plump deep-fried shrimp with a salty-sweet soy sauce-based flavor bound with egg.
Kaki-age-don (Bowl of Mixed Seafood and Vegetable Tempura on Rice)
Mixed seafood and vegetable tempura with a salty-sweet soy sauce-based flavor bound with egg.
Fugu-don (Bowl of Fried Pufferfish on Rice) (only available in winter)
Fried pufferfish (fugu) dubbed “the king of winter flavors”, cooked in a salty-sweet soy sauce-base bound with egg. A dish of indulgent flavor.
Tairagi-don (Bowl of Fan Mussels on Rice) (only available in summer)
Fried fan mussels with umami and texture, seasoned with a salty-sweet soy sauce-base bound with egg.
Fish Simmered with Soy Sauce (and Sugar) Set Meal
A main dish of warm and deliciously simmered seasonal fish such as rockfish, fat greenling, or spotty belly greenling. Usually served with miso soup, rice, a small side dish, and pickled vegetables.
The profound flavor of the rockfish from around the island will amaze you.
Sashimi Set Meal
A main dish of exceptionally fresh rockfish sashimi (bite-sized pieces of raw fish.)
Usually served with miso soup, rice, a small side dish, and pickled vegetables.
You can’t eat whitefish sashimi this fresh unless you come to the island.
*Nezakana known as rockfish in English, live on the seabed amongst the reefs and seaweed and don’t migrate far from the island; some of the most common being Japanese rockfish, marbled rockfish, fat greenling, and spotty belly greenling.
Grilled Fish Set Meal
A main dish of fluffy well-grilled seasonal fish such as rockfish, fat greenling, or spotty belly greenling.
Usually served with miso soup, rice, a small side dish, and pickled vegetables.
The profound flavor of the rockfish from around the island will amaze you.Fried Set Meal
A main dish of piping hot crispy fried seasonal rockfish, oysters, shrimp, and vegetables.
Usually served with miso soup, rice, a small side dish, and pickled vegetables.Tempura Set Meal
A main dish of piping hot seasonal rockfish, oysters, shrimp and vegetable tempura.
Usually served with miso soup, rice, a small side dish, and pickled vegetables.
À La Carte
Saké-steamed Clams
Sakushima Islands’ clams are renowned for their deliciousness.
You can’t get any better than saké-steamed clams if you want to enjoy their plump texture and rich flavor.
Sashimi platter
The sashimi platter is the best way to enjoy the various flavors of raw seasonal rockfish and shellfish.
Grilled Oysters
Plump oysters grilled over an open fire and seasoned with soy sauce. A savory and juicy dish.
Fried Southern Rough Shrimp
Grilled Horned Turban Shells
Horned turban shells grilled over an open fire and seasoned with soy sauce. Their seaside aroma, rich flavor, and chewy crunchy texture are irresistible.
Grilled Large Clams
Large clams grilled over an open fire and seasoned with soy sauce; a well-known Sakushima Island specialty. They have a delicate subtle flavor while being large and satisfying.
The flavor of the sea bursts in your mouth.
Two Tone Bowl, Whitebait and Small Shrimp on Rice
A delicious bowl of rice topped half and half with whitebait and small shrimp that have been caught in the adjacent waters of Sakushima Island.
Octopus Rice
A soy sauce-flavored rice cooked with generous amounts of delicious Sakushima Island caught.
Whole Boiled Octopus
A well-known dish of the Mikawa Bay area; cut with scissors and enjoy.
You can’t beat the salty umami and texture.
Large Clam Pasta
One of Sakushima Islands’ well-known dishes, a soy sauce and seaweed-based pasta with large clams.
Dinner
Dishes may include:
Rockfish sashimi, rockfish fried or in a tempura batter, grilled or simmered rockfish, grilled large clams or horned turban shells, saké-steamed clams, and miso soup with clams, among others.
The meals offered may vary depending on the inn, accommodation costs, and season.
Sashimi served on a decorative boat, the funamori is a splendid and elaborate dish that can be enjoyed as a special meal.
Nice and cool, thinly sliced “chilled octopus” is a limited summertime dish. You can enjoy the al dente texture and umami of octopus, together with fresh vegetables like a salad from June to September.
In winter, hot pot dishes are also popular such as the ones mentioned below.
Chilled octopus
Sashimi boat (funamori)
Fugu Hot Pot (pufferfish hot pot served with ponzu dipping sauce)
AThe pufferfish represents the flavor of winter in Mikawa Bay, enjoy it piping hot in a nabe (hot pot.) Its sophisticated umami is addictive. It is well-know that you can make a delicious rice soup (zosui) using the remaining broth (fugu stock) at the end.
Seafood Hot Pot
A warming hot pot of oysters, rockfish, and Mikawa Bay seafood generously packed together with vegetables. The perfect flavor of the sea.
Octopus Shabu (octopus and vegetables cooked quickly in boiling water then dipped in sauce)
Cafe in Sakushima
Monpemaruke
The highlight of anmitsu is the agar jelly, which is made from scratch using red algae collected from the surrounding sea.
Enjoy the carefully crafted flavors cooked over a wood-fired stove.
| Address | 47, Tateiwa, Sakushima, Isshiki-cho, Nishio City |
|---|---|
| Hours | Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 9:30～17:30 Weekdays 11:00～17:30 |
| Closed | Wednesdays and Thursdays *Closed for the season during January and February |
cafe OLEGALE
Lunches made with fresh, healthy ingredients are popular. The sustainable nature of this cafe gives you a glimpse of the island’s future.
| Address | 34, Shimoenda, Sakushima, Isshiki-cho, Nishio City |
|---|---|
| Hours | Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 10:00～17:00 Weekdays 11:00～17:30 |
| Closed | Wednesdays and every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month |
cafe Hyakuichi
Take a stop at this cafe for a leisurely break from exploring the island.
| Address | 7, Nishigawa, Sakushima, Isshiki-cho, Nishio City |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00～18:00 |
| Closed | Tuesdays *In winter, there may be an unexpected, early close. |
Cafe&BAR Joyell
| Address | 37, Higashiyashiki, Sakushima, Isshiki-cho, Nishio City |
|---|---|
| Hours | 10:00～18:00 (July through September 10:00～23:00) *At night a reservation is required |
| Tel | 0563-78-2014 |
| Closed | No fixed holidays *Closed January and February (Except for weekends) |
Saku Cafe Aohana
The light shaved ice is a popular choice at this old style Japanese cafe.
| Address | 45, Maeda, Sakushima, Isshiki-cho, Nishio City |
|---|---|
| Hours | Weekend and Holidays 9:30～18:00 Weekdays 12:00～18:00 |
| Tel | 080-4277-5543 |
| Closed | Closed on rainy days *Closed for the season from the middle of December to the middle of February. |
Access to Sakushima Island
- Take the bus (Nishio Issiki Line) at Meitetsu Nishio Station, and get off at the bus stop “Isshiki Sakana Hiroba, Ferry Terminal for Sakushima.” (About 30 minutes) Go to Sakushima West Port or East Port.
*For the ferry schedule and Sakushima event information, please check the Sakushima official website.
*The ferry departing at the times marked with ● offers Meitetau bus connections.
*The ferry service may be cancelled or the schedule may be changed due to bad weather.
☆In autumn, the ferry departs from Kiramiyazaki Port as an event. Regular Schedule (7 round trips per day) To Sakushima To Isshiki Leaving isshki Port Leasing East Port Leaving Viest Port 06:30 07:00 07:07 07:40 ●08:30 ●08:37 ●09:30 ●10:10 ●10:17 ●11:30 ●12:30 ●12:37 ●13:40 ●14:50 ●14:57 ●15:50 17:15 17:22 17:50 18:20 18:27
For moving around, rental bicycles are convenient!
Rent a bicycle at a shop near West Port or East Port (for a fee).
(Limited number of bicycles, first-come-first-served basis)
About 20 minutes by ferry from Isshiki Port
For more details, please check here.
Sakushima Official Site
Sakushima accommodation information
Click here for accommodation information
Sakushima Stay
Fishing Boat Cruise and Art Tour in Sakushima
The captain and fisherman show us interesting places and hidden stories of this island.
After lunch, we walk around Sakushima on foot visiting art installations scattered in nature (wear rain gear in case it rains).
Sakushima offers untouched nature surrounded by old coastlines with rocks, cliffs and wildflowers.
Sakushima Art works are scattered in the island in harmony with nature. You will have an unforgettable art experience that you can see, touch, climb, and enter …. You can use your unlimited imagination to feel the art
You can also interact with cute cats and friendly locals who live on the island.
For lunch, you will enjoy fresh local seafood dishes that are unique to the island surrounded by the sea. Art that is scattered throughout the island and in harmony with nature is an experience that you can see, touch, climb, and enter is.
| Experience time | 8:15～ |
|---|---|
| Time required | 8 hours |
| Schedule | 8:15 Meet at Nishio Station Guide 8:40 About 30 minutes by bus from Nishio 9:08 Isshiki Sakushima Tosenba 9:30 Departure to Sakushima About 30 minutes by boat 10:00 Arrival at Sakushima Higashi Port, sightseeing and art tour by fishing boat Take a fishing boat to see Sakushima → Lunch → Seamen → Apollo (Seagull parking lot) → East House 14:50 Departure to Isshiki, Sakushima East Port 15:35 After arriving at Isshiki, take a road bus to Nishio station for about 30 minutes 16:05 Arrive at Nishio Station |
| Travel price | Price 1 person participation 39,000 yen, 2 people participation 23,000 yen, 3 people participation 17,000 yen Participation by 4 or more people 15,000 yen |
| Cancellation policy | Until 2 days before: 0% the day before / on the day: 50% After starting and without contact cancellation: 100% |
| Contact | Nishio City Tourism Association (Nishio Convention Hall 1F , west of Nishio Station)◆8:30～17:30 Address : 4-64 ,Hananoki-cho,Nishio City Tel : 0563-57-7882 Closed : Saturdays , Sundays and Public holidays |
