Nushima photo
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Nushima

Island
Prefecture
Hyogo
Type
Island
N/A
1 review
Free
Entry Fee
Free Entry Restaurant

About This Destination

A 2.5-km island off the south coast of Awaji, traditionally identified as Onogoro-jima — the first land created by Izanagi and Izanami in the Kojiki creation myth. Reached by a 10-minute ferry from Doshima Port and walkable in a half day.
Nushima is a small, deeply traditional fishing island in Minamiawaji City, lying about 4.6 km off the southern tip of Awaji Island. The whole island measures only about 2.5 km in length, and the village of roughly 400 people clusters along the harbor on the west side. What draws visitors here is the mythology: in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, the deities Izanagi and Izanami stirred the primordial ocean with the heavenly jeweled spear, and the brine that dripped from the spear's tip formed the first land — Onogoro-jima. Several places on the Japanese archipelago claim to be that first island, but Nushima has perhaps the strongest physical case: the 30-meter sea stack Kamitate-gami-iwa, jutting straight out of the sea on the island's southeast coast, is traditionally identified with the Ame-no-Nuboko spear itself. The Onogoro Shrine on the hill above the village marks the place where the gods are said to have descended; a small hiking circuit links the shrine, the sea stack, and additional rocks named after other elements of the creation myth (Shimotate-gami-iwa, Heso-ishi, Onibashira). The island also has a few family-run restaurants serving hamo (pike conger), the local summer specialty, and a quiet beach. The ferry crossing is short and inexpensive — about 10 minutes from Doshima Port for roughly 920 yen round trip — which makes Nushima an easy half-day add-on for anyone already visiting southern Awaji, but it still receives a fraction of the visitors of the more famous sites on Awaji proper.

Location

Prefecture: Hyogo

Address: Hyogo, Japan

Nearest Station: Doshima Port (ferry from)

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: A handful of small family-run inns and restaurants near Nushima Port serve fresh local seafood, with hamo (pike conger) the standout summer dish — eaten as shabu-shabu, sushi, or grilled. Call ahead in shoulder seasons; some places close mid-week or for the off-season.

Official Website

Access

Hyogo, Japan

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I actually get to Nushima?

First, reach Doshima Port (土生港) on Awaji Island's southern coast — about 90 minutes by car from Kobe over the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, or 2.5–3 hours by highway bus from Kobe Sannomiya via Sumoto Bus Center. From Doshima, the Nushima Kisen ferry crosses to Nushima Port in 10 minutes for about 460 yen one-way (about 920 yen round trip). Ferries run roughly hourly during the day, with the last return typically in the early evening — check the latest timetable before going, as off-season runs are reduced.

Why is Nushima called the 'birthplace of Japan'?

In the Kojiki (712 CE) and Nihon Shoki (720 CE) creation myth, the deities Izanagi and Izanami stir the ocean with the heavenly jeweled spear, Ame-no-Nuboko, and the brine that drips from the spear's tip congeals into Onogoro-jima — the first land of Japan, from which all other islands are then created. Several sites around the country claim to be Onogoro-jima, but Nushima has the most physically literal candidate: Kamitate-gami-iwa, a 30-meter sea stack that looks strikingly like a spear thrust point-up out of the sea. Locally, the identification has been treated as canon for centuries; Onogoro Shrine on the island marks the place the gods are said to have descended.

What is there to actually see on the island, and what's the walking route like?

Main sights are clustered around the village — Hamori Hachiman Shrine just above the port and Onogoro Shrine on the hill — plus Kamitate-gami-iwa, the spear-shaped sea stack on the southeast coast, which is the visual highlight and usually viewed from the cliff path above. The full island-loop walking trail takes roughly 2–3 hours and is walkable, but be aware: it's a bit rough in places, runs mostly through forest, and offers almost no views — it's a pleasant nature walk, not a coastal-scenery one. Even at the lighthouse on the southern point you can't actually see the sea, and the lighthouse itself isn't open to climb. Side trails reach Heso-ishi ("navel rock") and Onibashira ("demon's chopping board"). Note that there are wild boar traps set along sections of the trail — keep a close eye on small children, and stay on the path. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water (no vending machines past the village), and reconsider the full loop in midsummer — the forest is humid and shadeless sections get hot. Many visitors get plenty out of just walking to Kamitate-gami-iwa and back.

What and when should I eat on Nushima?

Hamo (pike conger), in summer — Nushima is one of Japan's premier hamo fishing grounds, and the small inns near the port serve hamo-zukushi sets (shabu-shabu, sushi, tempura, grilled) from roughly late June through August at 4,000–8,000 yen per person. Outside hamo season, fresh tai (sea bream) and other local fish from the morning catch are the draw. Most restaurants on the island are small family operations with limited covers and irregular hours; reserve by phone the day before, especially on weekends. The boat schedule constrains lunch — aim for the late-morning ferry over and a mid-afternoon return.

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