Watch a Massive  Candle Light Up at Sunset

Make sure to arrive at the right time for your visit to Rosokujima

If you’re looking for an escape from Japan’s crowded cities, you’ve come to the right place. The Oki Islands, off the coast of Shimane Prefecture and comprising part of Daisen-Oki National Park, boast gorgeous rock formations and relatively untouched nature. It's no wonder they've been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Just off the coast of Dogojima, the largest of the Oki Iislands, is Rosokujima, or Candle Island. It juts straight up out of the ocean and towers over the water at 65 feet. When the setting sun hits the tip of the rock faces, it looks as if the island has changed into a giant candle.
Sightseeing cruise boats, whose departure is timed perfectly to match the sunset, will take you to the island. They depart from Fukuura Wharf and Akasaki Wharf, and although the trip only lasts about 50 minutes, the memories of this ocean sunset will stay with you for a lifetime.

Access: From Tokyo Haneda Airport, fly to Oki Airport (about two hours 20 minutes, including transfer at Osaka’s Itami Airport), then take a taxi or use a rental car to access the Rosokujima tours and other island destinations.

Rosoku-jima Sightseeing Boat (Okinoshima Town Tourist Association)