Hofu Tenmangu Mitokuji temple Izumo Taisha Omori Silver mine Xavier memorial church peace memorialpark miyajima sanctuary_outline Shukkeien Adachi garden Ikouji Rurikouji temple Amida-ji Sourin-ji Kourakuen Japanese trad.Garden_outline Matsue Yonago Shimonoseki Okayama Hiroshima HAB CITY_outline TSUYAMA TSUWANO MATSUE CHOFU IWAKUNI HAGI SAMURAI towns_outline ONOMICHI YANAI TAKEHARA KURASHIKI TOMO SHIMOKAMAGARI Xavier Cathedral SHIMONOSEKI Washi Touken Bizen Pottery Hagi Pottery & Kilns Japanese trad.artcrafts Experience-outline GEGEGENO Kitaro Matsuda museum Naval Base of Kure MAZDA,Hofu plant Modern Japan-outline Kirin beer Park in Okayama Tottori sand dune Mt.Fuji of Sanin DAISEN SHINJI Lake Iwami coast Oki Hagi coast Nagato SANIN COAST-outline SHUHODO Trail to Hikimi Hiruzen Highland Kibi Highland Tsuyama Travel with Stream locomotive Deep Inland Tour-outline SETO-OHASHI Seto-inland seas OANORAMA view Tiboli Park Tokiwa Park Inland-sea-outline List of Japanese terms Bathing in Japan 7seafood of the Lake Shinji Blow fish Stone fish Show Crab Oysters Buchwheat Noodles Peach and Other fruits Okonomiyaki
 
 
 
 
Known for their pristine beauty and breathtaking seaside landscapes, these islands are an absolute must for eco-tourists. There are three ferries that you can take from Matsue, including a high-speed launch called the Rainbow. Or, if you're spending most of your vacation outside of Western Japan, the Oki Islands have several flights that arrive from Tokyo, Osaka and other domestic airports. Either way, access is easier than it might look on a map.

Once you arrive, your only problem will be to decide what unusual natural attraction to see first. The Oki Islands have played host to international environmental conferences in the past, and all four of them are full of natural wonders. Take Dougo, the largest island, for example. There are waterfalls hidden in the hills, complete with shrines and offering spots. You can take a boat tour around the edge of the island and view the unusual rock formations, or stay along the coast and go swimming, snorkeling or fishing. There are campgrounds available, and often people bring inflatable rafts that they paddle out into the coves and fish off of, eating what they catch for dinner. The islands offer scenic outlooks over the Sea of Japan, and the interior has its own peculiar attractions, including the famous "lizard rock" and a "breast cedar", which local pregnant women often come to and rub to ensure fertility. And this is just on Dougo - the other islands offer even more of nature’s beauty, including pastures with wild horses and opportunities for scuba diving, windsurfing and other marine sports.

There is also a local form of bullfighting. But this isn’t like the Spanish version - there are no red capes or any of that. Here, bulls are pitted against each other and contest to see who's the alpha bull. Although the true contests are held only once a year, tourists can see mock battles on most Saturdays.

A cab ride can take you around the biggest island in one day, but will run you several hundred dollars. If you’re on a budget, it’s better to take the tourist bus, which is far cheaper. There are many places to stay, including pensions that will serve you breakfast if requested. The pace of life on the islands isn't as fast as it is in the rest of the country, and you pension owner will likely be very happy to give you advice on what to see, how to get around and so on. However, don't expect a lot in the way of English. Take a phrase-book with you, or better yet include someone in your party who speaks Japanese.		  
     
 
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