Justin Dobbs
2024 MIKAN BLOG WRITER & COPY EDITOR
Justin is a first year JET based on the edge of Ehime in Shikokuchuo. Coming from a writing/communications background in suburban Georgia, he is excited to write about the JET experience in a place with such amazing natural beauty. It hasn’t been very long since coming here, but the kindness of the people and seemingly endless places to discover in Shikoku make it the perfect canvas for storytelling. Justin enjoys hiking, cycling, coffee, and getting lost exploring the island.
If you live in Ehime and have even a slight interest in cycling, then you have probably heard about Oshima (大島). Meaning “big island”, it’s either the first or last island on the Shimanami Kaido (depending on your direction) and features delicious local dishes as well as stunning views of the surrounding sea. However, if you type “Oshima” into Google, this tropical slice of biking heaven is not the place you’ll be directed to. In fact, saying you “went to Oshima” could mean you traveled to just about anywhere in Japan.
To my count, this country features a surprising thirty-three locations all with the name Oshima. Twenty-two are actually islands while the remaining eleven are towns, districts, and areas. This doesn’t even include all the shops, inns, and other establishments that share this popular name. No matter if you are in Kyushu, Honshu, Shikoku, or Hokkaido, you’ll never be too far away from an Oshima in some capacity.
In truth, Izu Oshima seems to be the “main” Oshima as it comes up first in the search results nearly every time. Located right off the coast of Kamakura, this volcanic island is stunning with an ash filled desert, lava flows, sharp cliffs, and lush forests. This dramatic, almost pre-historic atmosphere is what makes this place so memorable, and makes its high Google ranking status feel somewhat earned. That, coupled with its close proximity to Tokyo and you’d be forgiven for forgetting about the thirty-two other Oshimas.
However, just because the Izu Oshima is the one people outside of Ehime are likely to know about, doesn’t mean the others aren’t worth a visit. Aside from the Imabari Oshima, there are actually six others right off the shores of Shikoku. The first can be accessed via a short ferry ride from Niihama and has a small but dedicated community of residents that keep the cozy island life alive. While it may not boast anything too different from other islands in the Setonaikai, it is home to Gangyoji Temple, which is said to house the ghost on one sleeve. For anyone interested in the supernatural or just craving some great views and scenic hikes, it’s more than worth a day trip.
In fact, “worth a day trip” is about the best way to describe the other Shikoku Oshimas as nearly all of them have beautiful island views, along with one or two unique sights that set them apart. For instance, the Kagawa Oshima, located just to the left of Ajicho (庵治町), is one of the prefecture’s several art islands and features a myriad of creative art installations along with a dedicated gallery. All this art scattered about gives any visit an air of unpredictability as you’ll never know what kind of strange/beautiful creation you’ll stumble upon next! From a pirate to intricate stone statues, bright driftwood gates, and more, this island’s “big” doesn’t come from its size, but from the undeniably bright impression it leaves on anyone who visits.
Of the four remaining islands in Shikoku, only two are actually inhabited. One resides just off Sukumo (宿毛市) in Kochi and the other is near Anai (穴井) under Yawatahama. If you’ve been on or around either of these you’ll know just how beautiful both are. However, the former is far more accommodating as it’s connected via bridge to the city and has a 4-star resort giving any stay that extra bit of luxury. That, along with numerous seaside parks and restaurants nearby to enjoy makes it perhaps the best Shikoku Oshima for a weekend getaway.
Still, if you’re yearning for something a bit more adventurous, you can take a boat over to the Oshima in the bay of Ainan (愛南町) or the one by Mugi (牟岐町) in Tokushima. Both have been essentially left to nature and have a certain rugged charm. While it may be fairly difficult to visit either of these places, from the latter you’re able to take a tour of the stunning Sennen Coral Reef. The bright, vibrant colors are beautiful from a boat, but are even better from under the waves as it’s a popular diving spot. Featuring tropical fish interspersed through a jungle of corals, it’s the perfect way to experience an often-unseen part of Shikoku’s beauty. Just be careful not to be too caught off guard when you see the Chinpo Rock. This bold piece of geography alone is enough to make this part of the island stick out in your memory.
While it may be one of the most overused names in all of Japan, going to an Oshima is always sure to please. With the variety in things to do and see you wouldn’t even have to leave Shikoku for what is sure to be a fun time. From breathtaking bike rides to relaxed seaside barbeques, even the most remote of these islands stand on their own as completely “daytripable”. And even though most Oshimas are not actually very big, it might be worthwhile to take a visit just to see why the name is so well-deserved.
Leave a Reply