Kabira Bay, Okinawa
Sydney, Australia (24 June 2025): Whether your idea of an idyllic island escape is sublime beaches, snorkelling with turtles and alluring azure waters, or hiking and biking through lush forests or volcanic terrain, Japan’s uncrowded and largely undiscovered islands are an appealing option for those who like to go beyond the beaten path.
Okinawa Prefecture
Okinawa Main Island – culture, caves, cuisine & coastline
When it comes to crystal clear waters, subtropical temperatures and sensational snorkelling and diving, the southern isles of Okinawa Prefecture definitely deliver. Okinawa Main Island 
is home to evergreen forests, vibrant villages and a glittering coastline. Experience highlights include mangrove kayaking tours, waterfall hikes, Gyokusendo Cave, Shuri Castle, lively Kokusai Street in Naha and learning about Ryukyu Kingdom history and the origins of karate. Don’t miss sampling goya champuru, a local bitter melon stir-fry – it’s an island delicacy. Visiting from August 2025? Be among the first to experience Okinawa’s new theme park, Junglia, with attractions ranging from dinosaur safaris and treetop trekking to the world’s largest infinity public bath.
Unique experience: Snorkel the Blue Cave and browse Makishi Public Market
The Kerama Islands – wildlife tours, diving, snorkelling & hiking
About 40 kilometres west of Okinawa Main Island, the waters around the Kerama Islands have spawned their very own shade, Kerama blue. Tokashiki, Zamami and Aka are the most popular islands, renowned for wildlife tours, snorkelling, diving and hiking. Enjoy your own underwater turtle encounter, and keep an eye out for the freely roaming Kerama deer which sometimes take the plunge and swim between the islands.
Unique experience: A diverse ecosystem means an everchanging parade of birdlife all year round.
The Yaeyama Islands – adventure, mangroves, reefs & rays
The best-known of the Yaeyama Islands are Iriomote and Ishigaki, which are accessible by direct flight from mainland Japan and Naha, and then island hopping by ferry. Whilst Iriomote is famous with hiking enthusiasts who come to trek its mangrove and forest-clad terrain, Ishigaki is renowned for its photogenic beaches, Japan’s largest coral reef, and diving hotspots. Majestic manta rays congregate close to Sukuji Beach and Kabira Bay during summer, while Sunset Beach is favoured by those seeking a more secluded and serene option.
Unique experience: Take a star gazing tour in Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, a designated ‘dark sky sanctuary’
Tokyo Metropolis
The Ogasawara Islands – ecotourism, wildlife, remote & rewarding
Approximately 1000km south of Tokyo, the far-flung Ogasawara Islands , a UNESCO Natural World Heritage region, are only accessible by a weekly 24-hour ferry from the capital – consider it part of the adventure. This is the destination of choice for travellers ready to truly unplug, unwind and appreciate the islands’ ecotourism offering including pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs and wildlife watching. Must-do activities include snorkelling at Miyanohama Beach, and swimming around the submerged shipwreck in Futami Bay.
Unique experience: Hike to the Weather Station Observatory on Chichijima Island for sensational sunsets.
Izu Islands – Hiking, onsen, surf breaks & moonscapes
Blending a dramatic volcanic landscape with a laidback rustic island vibe, hot springs and surf beaches, the largest of the nine inhabited Izu Islands, Oshima Island , can be accessed by flight, ferry or high-speed jetfoil from Tokyo. Holiday highlights here include diving and snorkelling, checking out the action at Niijima Island’s famous surf breaks, hiking the eerie moonscape around Oshima Island’s Mt Mihara volcano, camelias in Oshima Park and historic ruins on Toshima Island. Onsen lovers should head to Hachijojima Island for a serene soak and powdery white beaches.
Unique experience: Horse riding around Oshima Island’s black sandy desert, Ura-Sabaku
Kagoshima Prefecture
The Amami Islands – water sports, silk, caves & coral
The Amami Islands off Kyushu enjoy a subtropical climate, thriving coral reefs and year-round watersports, from surfing and swimming to fishing and diving. On land, highlights include shopping for famous Oshima tsumugi silk which has been used in kimono for centuries, and sampling local keihan (chicken rice) and kokuto shochu, distilled from local sugar cane. In the water, marine life is abundant, including turtles, octopus, rays and reef sharks.
Unique experience: Exploring more than 300 limestone caves on Okinoerabu Island
Kagawa Prefecture
The Setouchi Islands – love, art, festivals & food
A collection of isles in the Seto Inland Sea, the Setouchi Islands are famed for one of Japan’s most famous art festivals, the Setouchi Triennale. Held across three separate spring, summer and autumn sessions every three years, the festival sees visitors flock to the islands to see contemporary pieces in an unexpected island setting. Beyond the main event, highlights of any visit include walking along Shodoshima Island’s Angel Road sandbar (be sure to time it right, it only appears twice a day during low tide) to hang wooden votives on a tree, sampling produce in the Italian-inspired Olive Park and exploring the permanent installations on Naoshima Island.
Unique experience: Cycle the scenic Shimanami Kaido route which connects six islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
Niigata Prefecture
Sado Island – gold mines, cycling & taiko drumming
At the UNESCO-listed Sado Island Gold Mines, you can see how gold was mined throughout the ages, explore the preserved Edo-period and modern mining tunnels, and enjoy hands-on workshops and make unique souvenirs. Cycling remains a very popular way to see many of the sights on Sado Island, and the “Eco-Da-Chari," an eco-friendly and powerful electrically power assisted bicycle, is recommended for touring sightseeing spots. There are three different routes to take range from 18-23 km round trip, the longest of which takes around two and a half hours. For a truly authentic Japanese experience, taking part in a taiko drumming workshop is hard to beat. Taiko are wooden, barrel-shaped instruments that symbolise the powerful, rhythmic and dynamic energy of Japanese percussion. When you play taiko, you experience the sound with your whole body - it’s an immersive, soul-stirring experience.
Unique experience: Join one of the most authentic taiko drumming workshops in Japan.
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For additional information or image requests, please contact:
Anne Wild & Associates – JNTO’s PR Representatives in Australia
Emily Watters, Senior Account Manager
ewatters@awassociates.com.au +61 449 506 064
