Okushiri

Okushiri combines a long history of settlement with beech forests, walking trails and the clear sea surrounding the island. Highlights include visibility of up to 25 metres in the waters known as “Okushiri Blue” and the lanterns set afloat during the Sainokawara Festival. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home on Okushiri, you can consider whether nature, island history, outdoor activities or water sports should be a particular focus of your holiday.

An island with a long history

People have lived on Okushiri since the early Jōmon period, around 8,000 years ago. Numerous valuable archaeological sites and artefacts have been discovered on the island. This long historical perspective gives Okushiri a cultural dimension that extends beyond its landscape and sea. If you enjoy learning about how people lived in the past while travelling, you can explore this historical aspect alongside the natural attractions.

Sainokawara: remembrance and island tradition

Sainokawara Park, which is also a campground, is located at the northern end of Okushiri Island, in the Inaho Cape area. The 賽の河原祭 (Sainokawara Festival) is associated with Sainokawara: a memorial service is held there every June. Many people come to pray, and lanterns are set afloat on the water. The festival connects a specific place with an annual occasion for remembrance and a special tradition by the sea.

The 宮津弁天宮 (Miyazu Benten Shrine) also tells of the islanders’ relationship with the sea. The shrine traces its origins to a structure built in 1831 by islanders praying for abundant catches. It stands at the tip of a steep cape that juts out into the sea. There are 164 steps up to the shrine, from where Hokkaido is visible. The number of steps and the location on the cape are useful points of reference when considering whether to include this place in your travel plans.

Beech forest, walking trails and Okushiri Blue

The Okushiri Island Beech Forest Biotic Community Protection Forest protects and manages natural forests characterised by beech trees and home to regionally distinctive biological communities. For nature lovers, this means the forest itself is not the only point of interest: the distinctive combination of beech trees and regional wildlife is also noteworthy. The Okushiri Island Footpath adds an active element to this natural setting, with three walking trails on Okushiri Island. If you enjoy exploring on foot, you can make the trails a focus of your trip.

The sea offers a different way to experience Okushiri. Activities such as sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are possible in “Okushiri Blue”. The clear water has visibility of up to 25 metres. This gives you a choice between two different interests: one trip idea takes you along the walking trails, while the other takes you out on the water. These activities can help you decide in advance which experiences might appeal most to your travel group.

Explore the island and plan your stay

You can explore Okushiri Island by rental car or bicycle. These two options give you a starting point for deciding how you’d like to discover the island; they don’t specify individual routes or travel times. Together with the three walking trails and the activities available at sea, they offer a range of options to suit different travel interests, without requiring you to commit to just one way of experiencing the island.

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home on Okushiri, you can first decide what you’d like to focus on during your trip: are you especially interested in the island’s archaeological past and traditions, its forests and walks, or sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding? This question can help you decide whether Okushiri suits your interests. The places and experiences described here offer different starting points, from the Jōmon period and remembrance at Sainokawara to the clear waters around the island.

Find more destinations in Urahoro, Rebun District, Abuta District, Nemuro, Mombetsu, Kato District, Yūbari and Pippu.

For the main travel overview: Hokkaido.