1. Why the Oki Islands Are Not for Everyone

Let’s start honestly.

The Oki Islands are not:

English-friendly
Highly convenient
Designed for mass tourism
Easy to access

And that is exactly why they matter.

If cities show you modern Japan,
and popular islands show you curated Japan,
Oki shows you unfiltered Japan.

This is a destination for travelers who:

Have visited Japan before
Feel comfortable without full English support
Prefer silence over stimulation

2. What Are the Oki Islands?

The Oki Islands are a group of inhabited islands in the Sea of Japan, part of Shimane Prefecture.

Main inhabited islands:

Dōgo (Saigō Port area)
Nishinoshima (Beppu Port)
Ama (Hishiura Port)
Chiburijima (Kurii Port)

Population: approx. 18,000 across the islands.

They are part of the Oki UNESCO Global Geopark, known for volcanic landscapes and dramatic coastal cliffs.

3. How to Reach the Oki Islands

Contents

Osaka Flight vs Matsue Ferry – Clear Comparison
✈ Route 1: From Osaka (Itami) by Flight
⛴ Route 2: From Matsue via Ferry
Side-by-Side Comparison
1. Which Should You Choose?
Day 1 – Arrival & Port Town Atmosphere
Day 2 – Nishinoshima: Matengai Cliff　摩天崖
Day 3 – Ama or Deep Dōgo Exploration
Day 4 – Departure

Osaka Flight vs Matsue Ferry – Clear Comparison

Most foreign travelers choose one of two routes:

✈ Route 1: From Osaka (Itami) by Flight

Osaka Itami → Oki Airport
Flight time: approx. 50 minutes

Estimated Total Travel Time (from Osaka city center)

City → Airport: 30–45 min
Airport procedures: 60–90 min
Flight: 50 min
Airport → Saigō town: 10–15 min

👉 Total: approx. 3–4 hours

Pros

✔ Fastest option
✔ Less dependent on sea conditions
✔ Best for short trips

Cons

✖ Limited daily flights
✖ Slightly higher cost

⛴ Route 2: From Matsue via Ferry

Step 1: Reach Matsue

From Osaka:

Limited Express train: 2.5–3 hours

From Tokyo:

Shinkansen to Okayama + train: 5–6 hours

Step 2: Matsue Station → Shichirui Port

Bus: approx. 40 minutes

Step 3: Ferry to Oki

Standard ferry:

2.5–4 hours depending on destination

Fast ferry (seasonal):

1–2.5 hours

👉 Total from Osaka: approx. 6–8+ hours

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Flight	Ferry
Total time	3–4 hrs	6–8+ hrs
Scenic value	Low	Very High
Weather risk	Moderate	Higher
Convenience	High	Medium
Island arrival feeling	Moderate	Deep

Which Should You Choose?

Choose the flight if:

You have only 3–4 days
You prefer efficiency

Choose the ferry if:

You want the full “journey” feeling
You have a flexible schedule

Many advanced travelers say:

“Arriving by ferry makes the island feel truly remote.”

4. The Best 4-Day Model Itinerary (Realistic Pace)

Day 1 – Arrival & Port Town Atmosphere

Arrive via flight or ferry.
Base yourself in:

Saigō (Dōgo) for convenience
OR
Beppu (Nishinoshima) for scenery

Evening:

Harbor walk
Early seafood dinner
Quiet night

Shops close early. Streets become silent.

Day 2 – Nishinoshima: Matengai Cliff　摩天崖

Matengai Cliff rises about 250 meters above the Sea of Japan.

There are:

Few fences
Strong winds
Grazing cattle nearby

It feels ancient.

This is not a staged viewpoint.
It is raw landscape.

Afternoon:

Kuniga Coast drive
Small fishing villages
No rush

Overnight: Nishinoshima

Day 3 – Ama or Deep Dōgo Exploration

Option A: Ama Island

Community-focused town
Slower, quieter
Authentic daily life

Option B: Dōgo Island

Historical sites
Port town culture
Easier logistics

Either way:
Leave empty time.

Oki is not about checking boxes.

Day 4 – Departure

If leaving by ferry:

Arrive early at port
Check weather the day before

If leaving by flight:

Plan buffer time
Confirm airport transfer

5. Transportation Reality on the Islands

Rental car: Highly recommended.

Public buses:

Limited
Infrequent
Not tourist-optimized

Taxi:

Rare at night

Walking long distances: unrealistic.

This is rural Japan.

6. English Support – What to Expect

Hotels: basic English at some larger inns
Restaurants: mostly Japanese only
Tourist info: limited English

Translation apps are essential.

But locals are patient.

Communication becomes human, not transactional.

7. Food Culture

Expect:

Fresh seafood
Turban shell (sazae)
Seasonal vegetables

Meals are often:

Set menus
What was caught that day

Presentation is simple.
Flavor is strong and honest.

8. Cultural Expectations

You are visible here.

Small communities mean:

Greet politely
Keep voices low at night
Do not trespass on farmland
Ask before photographing people

Respect changes everything.

9. Who Oki Is Perfect For

10. Why Advanced Travelers Fall in Love with Oki

Oki does not perform for you.

It does not explain itself loudly.

It waits.

And if you slow down enough,
you begin to notice:

The wind over grasslands
The rhythm of fishing boats
The sound of nothing at night

That silence becomes unforgettable.

Final Thoughts from ShimaSuki

The Oki Islands are not designed for tourism.

They are designed for living.

And for travelers ready to move beyond convenience,
Oki may become the most meaningful place they visit in Japan.