Kamishima Island is located on the mouth of Ise Bay, about 14 kilometers northeast of Toba Port and approximately 3.5 kilometers west of Irago Cape in Aichi Prefecture. Covering a total area of 0.76 square kilometers with a circumference of 3.9 kilometers, it is one of the most faraway islands in the international. It is one of the four inhabited far-off islands and is famed because of the filming vicinity for the radical "The Tide." Additionally, because of its coastal area, it's far more prone to herbal failures consisting of big Pacific waves. The island's mountainous terrain, with densely packed row homes from the port to the mountain summit, creates a unique individual. A fishing village forms the middle of the community.
The southern tip of Kamishima Island features karst topography shaped via the weathering of limestone, unique as a natural monument by using the Toba City authorities. The slopes are blanketed with pure white, rugged rock surfaces, taking into consideration a masterpiece shaped through years of natural methods. Moreover, there's a peninsula called "Benten Cape," and the entire area is specific as one of the few special regions inside the town under the Natural Parks Law. For transportation, there are four each day departures from Sataham Port with the city-operated ferry.
Map of Kamishima Island
| Name | Kamishima Island (Japanese: 神島) |
| Country | Japan |
| Prefecture | Mie |
| Coordinates | 34°32′N 136°59′E |
| Area | 0.75 km2 (0.29 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC +9 |
| Population | 309 |
| Heliport | Kamishima Helipad |
Getting to Kamishima Island
By Scheduled Ferry from Toba Port
From Toba Port (Toba Shipping Terminal), there is a city-operated ferry to Shima Island. The one-way fare is 740 yen for adults and 370 yen for children.
The ferry ride takes about 40 minutes, with four departures daily, though cancellations may occur in severe weather conditions.
Please visit the official website of the Toba City Ferry for the schedule.
By Sightseeing Boat from Irago Port
From Irago Port, the sightseeing boat to Shima Island has a one-way fare of 1,600 yen for adults and 800 yen for children, while a round-trip ticket costs 3,000 yen for adults and 1,500 yen for children.
The boat ride takes approximately 15 minutes, with schedules varying by season. Please check the official website of the Shima Island Sightseeing Boat for the timetable.
You can use the free parking lot at Irago Cape Green Park, which has 50 parking spaces.
Shima Island Tourist Attractions and Landmarks
Here are some must-visit tourist spots and landmarks when visiting Shima Island.
Landing Point (船揚場)
The pier on Shima Island is the filming location for the Japanese movie The Sound of Waves and still retains the atmosphere from the time of filming.
Here, you can enjoy the unique scenery of the fishing village and experience the slow passage of time on the island.
The landing point refers to the place where boats return to land after fishing.
Tiger Whale Hill (旧オーカの丘)
Tiger Whale Hill is a hill that offers a stunning view of the Irago Strait and the Atsumi Peninsula.
Below lies Suzuno Beach, a scenic spot where the beautiful colors of the sea are truly captivating.
It is conveniently located just a few minutes walk from the ferry terminal.
The Clock Tower Remains (時計台跡)
The remnants of the clock tower stand as the sole last shape of its type on the island, nestled inside the slender alleys of the village.
The modern timepiece is now in its third era, but its extraordinary layout stays intact.
The Hachidai Shrine (八代神社)
The Hachidai Shrine is a sacred region situated atop a mountain in the village, marked via a white torii gate at its front.
Beyond the torii gate lie over 200 stone steps main to the shrine's edifice.
Ascend some steps, flip lower back, and through the torii gate, you possibly can behold the village and the fishing port, immersing within the unique atmosphere of the sacred island.
The shrine's structure is surrounded by the aid of verdant forests, exuding a tranquil and solemn environment.
Dedicated to the ocean deity and the deity of fishing, prayers are provided for ample catches and safe voyages.
Though its precise founding date remains unknown, it is stated to have existed even before the Heian duration.
The Divine Island Lighthouse (神島灯台)
The Divine Island Lighthouse stands as a vigilant sentinel over the treacherous waters of the Irago Strait.
Chosen as one of Japan's fifty lighthouses, it is also hailed as a sacred region for fans.
While ascending the lighthouse is not possible, the encircling place offers a vantage point to miss the Irago Cape.
The Watch Post of Surveillance (監的哨跡)
Constructed at some point in wartime, the observatory was designed to display the impact factors of cannons fired from Irago Lake.
This area also served as a famous filming spot for the Japanese movie "Tide Whispers," a should-visit destination for fanatics.
With flooring in total, the rooftop may be reached by hiking the stairs.
The rooftop stands as one of the most picturesque spots on the island, offering breathtaking perspectives of Irago Cape and the Shima Peninsula.
The vistas seen via the home windows of the first and second floors also are a highlight, comparable to fantastically framed artwork.
The Terada Residence (寺田家宅)
The Terada Residence is the private dwelling wherein Yukio Mishima resided throughout his reporting on Shima, currently unoccupied.
At that point, no matter the presence of 3 resorts on the sacred island, he opted for a personal house over the accommodations, selecting to stay with the president of the Fisheries Cooperative, Soichi Terada, shooting his reviews in the paintings "Sound of Waves."
The 2nd floor of this residence nevertheless preserves the room wherein Yukio Mishima stayed, showcasing his former workspace together with his desk and private property, alongside posters from the film "Tide Whispers."
Karst Topography (カルスト地形)
Karst topography is a landscape shaped with the aid of the weathering and erosion of limestone, unique as a natural monument by the city of Nio.
The dock walls rising like white towers against the backdrop of the expansive azure sea are exceptionally stunning, a true marvel of nature!
A prom leads you closer to the dock, allowing you to stroll to the sandy seashore.
Niwa Beach (ニワの浜)
Niwa Beach is a sandy shore where one can closely observe the karst topography, featured as the backdrop for the scenes of the sea maidens in the Japanese film "Tide Whispers."
Limestone scattered across the beach creates a space that resembles an artwork crafted by nature itself.
Kori Beach & Hachijō-iwa (古里の浜・八畳岩)
In the western part of the island lies Kori Beach, where a massive rock formation named "Hachijō-iwa" stands.
As you approach the rock, you will be awestruck by its sheer scale.
The crystal-clear waters surrounding the rock impart a tropical ambiance, evoking a sense of being in a tropical paradise.
