Discover Ojika: Island Nature and Cultural Heritage

The town of Ojika comprises 17 islands, six of which are inhabited. All the town’s islands are designated as part of Saikai National Park. You can choose different focuses for your stay: pine landscapes and coastal formations, history, or activities at sea. The places and offerings also vary in their conditions and seasonal schedules.

Island Nature and Special Places

At the center of Ojika Island is Hime no Matsubara, a pine avenue about 400 to 500 meters long. It has been included in the selection of Japan’s 100 Most Beautiful Pine Groves and the new selection of Japan’s 100 Most Beautiful Street Trees. An anchor stone and Shishiki Shrine are also located along the avenue.

Goryodaki is a scenic spot formed when seawater eroded a volcanic crater. It is about a 10-minute drive from the port. Together with the pine avenue, the spot offers a different view of Ojika’s landscape: an area shaped by erosion sits alongside an elongated stand of pines.

Getting There and Finding Your Way Around

Ojika can be reached from Sasebo by high-speed boat in as little as 90 minutes. Check the schedules and travel times before your trip so you can coordinate your journey with your planned activities.

A bicycle rental service is available at the Ojika Island Tourism counter in the Ojika ferry terminal. The counter is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; bicycles are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you plan to rent a bicycle, factor both the counter’s opening hours and bicycle availability into your plans.

Activities at Sea and Island History

From April to October, beginners can head out to sea in a stable, beginner-friendly canoe after receiving instructions from an instructor. Along the way, you can watch small fish and experience birdsong and the wind. Advance booking is required for this seasonal canoe experience.

Nozaki Island can be reached by boat from Ojika Island; check current departure times before you travel. The island was a refuge for the “Hidden Christians” in the 17th century. The settlement site on Nozaki Island became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region” in July 2018.

Old Nokubi Church is also part of the history of the town of Ojika. Built in 1908, it was the first brick church designed and constructed by Yosuke Tetsukawa. Ojika’s historic sites thus offer a perspective alongside its landforms and water-based activities.

Another activity requiring a reservation is making Shibatsuke dumplings in private homes. Participants can choose between Ojika Main Island and Ōshima. This choice concerns the location of the dumpling-making activity; it should not be confused with the canoe experience, which is offered seasonally from April to October.

The Wider Context in Nagasaki Prefecture

The wider travel destination of Nagasaki Prefecture also encompasses the broader context of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region.” The site is located partly in Nagasaki Prefecture and comprises twelve components: ten villages, the remains of a castle, and a cathedral dating from the 17th to the 19th century. The settlement site on Nozaki Island is part of this World Heritage Site. This places Nozaki’s history within a larger cultural heritage spread across multiple components, without attributing these regional features to Ojika as a whole.

Be sure to take the season, required reservations, and current boat and ferry times into account.

Discover more destinations: Matsuura, Iki, Nagasaki, Gotō, Shimabara, Hasami, Sasebo, Unzen.

Return to the broader travel overview: Nagasaki Prefecture.