Okushiri: Island History, Beech Forest and Sea

Okushiri combines a settlement history dating back to the early Jōmon period with hiking routes, a protected forest shaped by beech trees, and activities on the sea. Other highlights include Miyazu Benten Shrine and an annual memorial ceremony. If you are looking for a hotel on Okushiri, these different features can help you decide on a destination: early history, nature on land, or exploring the sea.

Settlement History and Remembrance

People have lived on Okushiri since the early Jōmon period, about 8,000 years ago. Numerous valuable archaeological sites and finds have been discovered on the island. This early settlement history offers a historical perspective on Okushiri that differs from today’s hiking and water activities. If you also choose a destination based on its cultural background, the island’s long settlement history is a distinct aspect to consider.

The Sainokawara Festival (賽の河原祭) is held every June as a memorial ceremony at Sainokawara. Many people come to pray, and lanterns are also set afloat on the water. June gives your travel plans a specific date to work around. If you would like to plan your stay around the festival, check the dates for the year you intend to travel.

Miyazu Benten Shrine on the Cape

Miyazu Benten Shrine (宮津弁天宮) traces its origins to a shrine built by island residents in 1831 to pray for plentiful catches. The shrine stands at the tip of a steep cape jutting into the sea. It is reached by 164 steps, and the Japanese main island of Hokkaido can be seen from there. The shrine brings together a specific founding history, a striking location on the cape, and a stairway with a clearly stated number of steps.

Hiking and Beech Forest

The Okushiri Island Footpath comprises three hiking routes on Okushiri Island. Meanwhile, the Okushiri Island Beech Forest Biotic Community Protection Forest protects and manages natural forests shaped by beech trees and home to biologically distinctive communities characteristic of the region. The island’s natural attractions therefore offer two distinct themes: hiking along several routes and protecting beech forests and their communities.

Sea and Island Exploration

The sea around Okushiri is known as “Okushiri Blue.” The clear water has visibility of up to 25 meters, and activities such as sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are possible there. This offers a different focus from the hiking routes: here, the emphasis is on paddling on the sea, while the routes are for exploring on foot on land.

You can explore the island by rental car or bicycle. These options are for exploring the island as a whole, making them different from choosing a particular hiking route or water activity.

At the northern end of the island, in the Inaho Cape area, Sainokawara Park is also set up as a campground.

Discover more destinations: Toyotomi, Sapporo, Kawakami District, Kushiro, Soyamisaki, Akkeshi, Erimo, Urakawa

For the broader travel overview: Hokkaido.