Kamijima Town consists of 25 remote islands at the northernmost tip of Ehime.
The name Kamijima literally means “Upper Islands” in Japanese.
Set within the Shimanami Kaido Expressway, Kamijima is located at the very top part of Ehime Prefecture and is not connected to the main islands or the mainland by bridge. The five major islands of Kamijima are Yugejima, Sashima, Iwagijima, Ikinajima, and Uoshima. In addition, there are several other small islands including Takaikamijima, Toyoshima, and Tsubajima, all of which can be accessed by ferry.
You can drive or cycle across the 4 main islands of Yugejima, Sashima, Ikinajima and Iwagijima which are connected by bridge. The road that connects the islands is called the Yumeshima Kaido, or the Dream Island Road.
The total population of Kamijima is about 6,500 across all the islands.
Location / Access / Transport
Ferry:
Although Kamijima is part of Ehime Prefecture, it is actually closer to Hiroshima Prefecture, only 3 minutes by ferry. Kamijima is connected to Innoshima island and Imabari City by many ferry routes. The easiest ferry to Kamijima, if you are coming from Hiroshima/Osaka/Tokyo, is the high speed ferry from Mihara Port in Hiroshima prefecture. Mihara Shinkansen Station is 5 minutes walk from the port.
Bus:
Neighbouring island Innoshima has the nearest bus stop at Habu Port. From here there are bus lines to Onomichi and Fukuyama (both of these towns have Shinkansen Stations.)
Car:
Take the Shimanami Kaido Expressway. Tolls may vary, but from the Hiroshima side you will cross 2 bridges before exiting to Innoshima, where you take the ferry across to Kamijima, either from Habu port or from Nagasaki port.
In Kamijima there are a few banks, but they cannot change foreign currency into Japanese yen. Japanese yen can be withdrawn at Post Office ATMs with the use of a suitable credit card. Some shops and restaurants only accept cash.
In a Post Office bank, the single transaction withdrawal limit is 50,000 Yen.
Pronouced, “yu-geh”, Yuge is the largest of the Kamijima islands by population with around 3,000 people. This island has the most restaurants, cafes and shops. The regional Kamijima council office is also located in central Yuge.
There is a beautiful wide sandy beach on the East side of the island at the foot of Hoogahara pine grove. It is a popular swimming beach in the summer months.
Experience
Kamijima Tours – Kamijima Islands cycle tour experience.
FESPA
The modern hotel that overlooks the Seto Inland Sea. All guest rooms have uninterrupted ocean views.
The hotel has a large onsen and spa facility.
Contact number : 0897-77-2200
NAKATSUKA
A local Japanese guest house with a homely atmosphere. The kind and generous owner is an excellent cook, and gathers many of her ingredients from the mountains and seaside. The local fishmen also supply her with fresh fish. If you want to enjoy traditional Japanese home cooking, this is the best place!
Contact number : 0897-77-4498
Guest house TOKONOMA
This is an old renovated Japanese style house and is great place if you prefer to be left alone to do your own thing. Tokonoma has 3 rooms.
The location is very central and convenient for shops and restaurants. Meals are not available here, but there is a basic kitchen which you can use.
Contact number :080-6492-0084
Kominka YUGE NO YADO
A beautiful house more than 100 years old, renovated by a couple who moved to Kamijima in 2017 to have a “second life”. This is a traditional style accommodation called Minshuku, similar to a homestay or guest house. The owners, very helpful and welcoming, live in a separate house next door, so you can also have hot tea or coffee, or drinks in the evening together with them. Contact number :080-6442-3298
Dining Out : Okonomiyaki restaurant
Okonomiyaki is popular in Yuge. There are at least four okonomiyaki restaurants and all of them are Hiroshima Style :
Sashima is one of the least populated islands, with about 450 people. In the past there had been no shops supermarkets or restaurants, but recently, some interesting places can be found. A cosy book cafe opened in 2018, and there is also a popular boutique guesthouse nestled in a back street. Sashima is a great island for walks and has some of the most beautiful and isolated beaches.
Accommodation
Shiomi Guest House
Shiomi House on Sashima Island is an old family house that has been renovated, with the hope that many people from the island and from around the world will be able to go there and feel refreshed.
The people speak English quite well and are kind and friendly. A very rare feature of this place is the Goemonburo, a cauldron bath. It’s a very traditional cast iron bath heated externally by a wood fire. There are a number of options for taking meals together. ie. dinners and breakfasts. They can also prepare temporary prayer rooms for Muslims if needed. Contact number :0897-72-9800
Dining Out
book cafe okappa [Local island cafe]
9:00am – 5:00pm / Closed: Tuesday, Wednesday
Ikina Island 生名島［Ikinajima］
Ikina is one of the Kamijima islands in the Seto Inland Sea, with a population of about 1,500. It is by far the most easily accessed of all the Kamijima islands – Hiroshima Prefecture is just a three-minute ferry ride away! Ikina is connected by bridge to two other Kamijima islands, Sashima and Yuge. The new bridge being constructed, connecting Ikina and Iwagi, will be ready in 2022.
Accommodation
SUPOREC GARUISHI-SOU[Sports & recreational facility]
Accomodation which is mainly used for training camps held on the grounds.
Contact number : 0897-74-0906
Iwagi is the second largest Island, with a population of about 2,000 people. Iwagi is so rich in citrus fruits including lemons, that is has been dubbed the “Blue Lemon Island”. It is home to many ship building companies, and as a result, there are a number of foreign workers living on the island (Chinese, Thai, Filipino). In the springtime over 3,000 cherry trees bloom on Mt. Sekizen. The island itself has a perfect balance between industrial culture, sightseeing, and nature. It is also the only main Island not connected by bridge, although one is being built and will be completed in 2022.
Accommodation
KAMEI RYOKAN
The place is conveniently located near Iwagi port. The building is 70 years old with comfortable spaces and polished floors.
Contact number : 0897-75-2006
YOSHIMASA
Japanese traditional stay accommodation.
The owner is a traditional Japanese cuisine master so you can always enjoy fresh seafood from around Kamijima. He also runs a fishing charter and camping business which can be booked through reservation.
Contact number : 0897-75-2267
A Co-op – [Supermarket, Agricultural store] 9:30am – 6:30pm / Closed : Sunday. Immediately next to the port building.
Furubayashi Shoten – [Liquor store] 9:00am – 8:00pm / Closed : Sunday and public holiday. Near Iwagi post office.
Kanno Shoten– [Small grocery store] 9:00am – 9:00pm / Closed : Sunday. Between the main Iwagi port and Nagae port.
Y-shop MURAKAMI – [Small convenience store] (no ATM) 7:00am – 10:00pm / Near Nagae and Okogi Port.
Tsuba Island 津波島［Tsubajima］
Tsubajima is an island between Ikina and Iwagi island. It is uninhabited but has became a popular camping since it was turned into a nature reserve park by the Kamijima council. A part from the camping facilities on the island, there are walking tracks and beautiful beaches to explore. Public ferries do not stop here, so private charter is necessary.
The owner of Yoshimasa, a restaurant and Japanese style guest house on Iwagi Island, can organise camping etc. on Tsuba Island with transportation included.
Uoshima Island 魚島［Uoshima］
Uoshima is a small island in Kamijima. It takes 50 minutes to reach there by high speed passenger ferry from Yuge Island. Around 150 people live there, and the major industry is fishing, with octopus trapping being popular. The great many trapping pots piled up in the port are mindful of an art gallery exhibit.
TakaiKamijima is a small island separated from the main islands of Kamijima. Only 15 people are currently living there. The island became famous a few years ago due to the manga murals which were painted on the buildings in the main town and are still there.
Access to Takaikamijima is by a high speed passenger ferry between Uoshima and Yuge. This operates only a few times every day, and costs 760yen.
Accommodation
Nataorenoki [Guesthouse]
Contact number : 090-4834-0399
Toyoshima Island 豊島［Toyoshima］
Toyoshima is another smaller island between Yuge and Uoshima. The island has no permanent residents.
Even with no residents, there are still a number of things to do and see. There is an art installation called THE TOYOSHIMA HOUSE, which has a Gerhard Richter’s last and largest glass work “14 Panes of Glass for Toyoshima, dedicated to futility.”
Lemon & Citrus : There are various citrus fruits including lemons in Kamijima. From October to April you can enjoy naturally produced citrus fruits that are in season. On Iwagi Island, in particular, there are many citrus farmers. Iwagi is known as “Green Lemon Island”.
Lemon Pork : Lemon pork has a rich taste but is refreshing, because farm owners raise their pigs carefully. After peeling the lemons and removing the juice, the pig feed is made by mashing the peel with other natural products. The resulting manure from pigs is turned into fertilizer and made into a compost for the lemon trees. This is a food cycle. You can enjoy various kinds of Lemon pork dishes in some restaurants in Kamijima Town.
Yuge Shio(Yuge Salt) : Yuge Island has been well known for its salt production since ancient times. It was one of the leading salt producing areas of the Seto Inland Sea while under the rule of Emperor Shirakawa（1135） during the Heian period（794〜1185）, and then again while under the rule of Kyoto Toji temple in the Kamakura period（1185〜1333）and the Muromachi period (1336~1573).
In recent times, members of the NPO Yugenosho have revived this salt-making process which had ceased many years before.
Yuge salt is rich in minerals and is very tasty with a slight seaweed flavor.
Imo Gashi ( Sweet Potato Chips) : This is a famous delicacy from Iwagi Island. It is made from sweet potatoes which are deep fried and then coated with a sugar sauce.
Information
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Visitors must consider the risks when traveling, due to lack of medical facilities on the remote islands within Kamijima. Please follow thorough coronavirus infection prevention measures.
The Japanese government asks people to maintain a physical distance from others as best they can in indoor as well as in outdoor spaces, and to use of a face mask.
・ Postpone your trip if you feel unwell with symptoms such as a fever or a cough.
・Cover your mouth and your nose with a tissue or with your elbow when coughing or sneezing.
・Wash your hands often with soap and water, and use a hand sanitizer.
Japan Visitor Hotline : Support & assistance when emergencies (accident, illness etc.) or natural disasters, general tourist information. / TEL:050-3816-2787 / From overseas: +81-50-3816-2787 / 24 hours a day, 365 days a year / English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese
Consumer Hotline for Tourists: Feel free to call this hotline if you encounter consumer issues involving stores, restaurants, bars, transportation, or lodging during your visit. / TEL:03-5449-0906
