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Takeshima
竹島
In three words: Bamboo. Beach. Djembe
Recommended for: Snorkelers. Volcano lovers. People wanting to experience no other tourists.
Size: About 4km²
Population: About 70
Accessed by boat from: Kagoshima
In brief:
Takeshima literally means ‘bamboo island’, because it is literally covered in bamboo. The bamboo shoots are a large part of their economy. It is part of the village of Mishima also featuring Iojima and Kuroshima. It is the smallest and the least populated of the three islands. It has gorgeous clear, crystal blue sea water which you can snorkel in and is the only island of the three Mishima islands to have a beach. It is a volcanic island on the rim of the Kikai Caldera, an underwater volcanic crater so huge that it could fit all of Mt Fuji inside it. 8,000 years ago it erupted. This was the most recent eruption of this scale on earth and changed the planet drastically. Takeshima and Iojima sit on the rim of this caldera.
There is a village rejuvenation programme which financially supports families that move there. For the first three years new people receive a stipend for living there. One returning family remodelled their old family home into a local store, giving the island a place for people to meet. This may sound quite normal to you, but the island had not had a shop in 20 years. This is pure and tranquil island-Japan.
Too touristy?:
Expect to be the only tourist in Takeshima. If you want to get away from any noise and any hustle and bustle then this is for you.
Getting There:
There is one boat going to all three of the Mishima Village islands. It is called the ‘M-Line’. It makes its way from Kagoshima at 9:30. It arrives in Takeshima at 12:30, Iojima at 13:25, Ozato (Kuroshima) at 14:50 and Katadomari (Kuroshima) at 15:35. Then, it either turns around and goes back the same day, or stays overnight in Kuroshima and returns the next day, arriving in Kagoshima at either 20:00 or 14:05 accordingly.
The schedule is really rather irregular and difficult to make sense of but it works out something like this:
Mondays - No boats
Tuesdays and Fridays - Day trip (returns to Kagoshima at 20:00)
Wednesdays and Saturdays - Outbound trip from Kagoshima
Thursdays and Sunday - Return trip (arriving in Kagoshima at 14:05)
There are some serious irregularities to this so check the schedule in Japanese here. Or contact us to make use of our booking service.
Getting Around:
As the smallest of the Mishima islands, it is possible to get around on foot quite easily. However it is a long, thin island and on hot, humid days you may find it challenging. Renting bicycles is the best way to get around. We can help you to rent a bicycle if you get in touch.
The sights:
Kagominato Beach - The only beach on all of the Mishima islands is this stunning beach on the south of the island. It can be walked to in 15 minutes from the village. The snorkelling is stunning in the clear blue ocean but you do it at your own risk because there are no life savers to help. So stay safe!
The Banyan Gate - The large banyan tree creating an arched gate over the road is a photo spot which is supposed to be help people find love and marriage.
Bamboo - This island is named after what is has most of: bamboo. The delicious shoots of which are a main crop of the island. You may be able to try a lot of bamboo shoots when you visit.
The cemetery - Known as the Angkor-Wat of Takeshima, this old cemetery is being eaten by a large banyan tree. Worth a look!
The shop - the largest local store on all of the islands opened in 2018. It is owned by a returning resident who converted his family homes into a little store. It acts as a social meeting place and BBQ garden for the island and has helped improve the quality of life for locals. Why not have a beer here?
Accommodation:
The only accommodation recommended in Takeshima is Minshuku Hamayuri. A friendly and helpful guesthouse serving two/three meals per day at a very reasonable 7,000 yen. Only bookable on the phone in Japanese, contact us to use our booking service.
There is only one other accommodation on Takeshima called Kubota. We do not recommend them. On the telephone booking they rejected me saying they don’t accept foreign guests, a policy very out of touch with modern day discrimination laws. Thus we recommend you steer clear.
Organised tours:
There aren’t any organised tours on the island but there are scuba diving shops taking overnight trips to Takeshima that stay one night on the island. We can help you book your trip. Contact us.
Other than that please snorkel and explore. Relax and take time away from crowded places. This is the kind of place for people needing an escape and a real look at the identity of seriously rural island-Japan.
A one night itinerary:
Lucky for Takeshima it is the island that you arrive to earliest at 12:30 and therefore a full day on the island can be enjoyed. Arrive, check in, rent a bike, go to the beach, snorkel, cycle the island. Go have a beer at the store. Have dinner, go to bed.