Hi-shima Islands

The Island of Tides and Camellias
The islands right next to each other used to have a sand bridge.

Walk and Play Around the Islands

Photo: Hi-shima Islands

These are islands approximately 30 km from Kasaoka Port in Kasaoka City and are named Hi-shima Islands in conjunction with Ohbi-shima and Kobi-shima Island.

Since long ago, the Kasaoka Islands have held a strategic importance in traveling around the Seto Inland Sea. As part of this, the area around Ohbi-shima Island is considered the location where the east-west tides on the Seto Inland Sea converge and separate. It is believed that ships plying the waters waited in the area for a favorable turn in the tide.

It is an island where ships wait for a favorable change in the tides, but it is not understood exactly what makes the island so uniquely special. The remains of religious services from the Nara period to the Heian period have been discovered, and a countless number of votive offerings have been unearthed. It can be said that Hi-shima Islands are particularly significant among the Kasaoka Islands.

Previously, a sandbar located close to Oura Port on the southeast of Ohbi-shima Island and running to the east extended to Kobi-shima Island like the beak of a bird. It was considered a bridge that connected Ohbi-shima Island and Kobi-shima Island. But today the influence of the changes in tidal currents is hardly noticed.

As the best time to view the approximately 600 camellia trees growing wild on the island approaches in February to March, you will enjoy travelling around the 4-km Hachimaki Road which goes around the perimeter of the island.

Many sightseers are treated such famous sights as camellia oil being made by local groups and the making of handmade udon noodles, a part of the hospitality that the island has extended since long ago.

Reference: Kasaoka Shimazukuri Kaisha NPO website

Places to See on Hi-shima Islands

Click on the map to enlarge


Island Data

Area (Widest) 1.05 km2
(Narrowest) 0.30 km2
Circumference (Widest) 5.5 km
(Narrowest) 2.8 km
Highest Point
(Mt. Kojin)
152 m
Sightseeing Hints
  • You need to make reservations on the phone in advance to eat at the udon noodles shop, Udon Kobo. They will also allow you to try your hand at making noodles.
  • The camellias, sightseeing spots, facilities, etc. are on the side facing Ohbi-shima Island.
  • Around the time the camellias are ready for viewing in March, the Camellia Festival is held. Click here to make an inquiry

Accommodation

Name Capacity Charge TEL Website
Guesthouse Ile d'or
Open Days: Friday/Saturday/Sunday
10 people Room only:
from ¥3,500
090-4659-8444 (Kaneshima)

Restaurants

Name Menu TEL Website
Udon Kobo Udon noodles,
boxed meals cooked with ingredients from islands, etc.
0865-68-2529

Access to Hi-shima Islands

Click on the map to enlarge

To get to Hi-shima Islands, use Sanyo Kisen’s regular passenger vessel service which departs from Sumiyoshi Port in Kasaoka. You would be traveling the ① “Okayama - Hi-shima Islands - Mu-shima Island” sailing route. To use the ②③ “Kasaoka - Sanagi Honura” sailing routes, from Mu-shima Island transfer to ①, then go to Hi-shima Islands via Mu-shima Island. However, there is only one sailing per day.

For sightseeing, it is more convenient to get off at Suko Port on Ohbi-shima Island.

You can also travel to the different islands using a water taxi service. Depending on the number of people in your group and your plans, you may want to consider this option.

* At Kasaoka, there is a ferry boarding dock at Fushigoe Port, but be aware that the ferry goes to Kitagi-shima and Shiraishi-jima Islands and does not stop at Mu-shima Island.

Check!
  • When departing, you would use the boarding dock for the regular passenger vessels located on the Kasaoka Port-Sumiyoshi Boarding Dock. The ferry does not stop at Mu-shima Island.
  • You would want to travel along the “Kasaoka - Hi-shima Islands - Mu-shima Island” sailing route for the regular passenger vessel.
  • Also, be sure to carefully check the times for both the departing and returning vessels.
  • Water taxis are an option we recommend.

Access-Related Information

MAP

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