Ai Nishimura
Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.
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Using the Geobus, we experienced the mysterious geological world that can only be seen in Oki. We also went sea kayaking for the first time in our lives.
See the Turnip Cedar and Breast Cedar and visit the island's three largest cedar trees!
The Geobus is a half-day bus tour that takes you around the island's unique natural scenery. There are two courses: the Dangyo Course, which takes you around the west side of the island, and the Chichisugi Course, which takes you around the east side. Advance reservations are required, but the tours are only available for one adult, so it's recommended for solo travelers who want to get around with a guide. However, please note that the tour generally only operates on weekends.
The starting point is Oki Port Plaza, the same place where we rented our bikes. We took the "Chichisugi Course" which departed in the morning. First, we visited the "Kaburasugi" Cedar tree near the center of the island. Although there is only one trunk near the base, it has six branches. You can see it as soon as you get out of the car without having to go deep into the mountains.
After stopping by the Shirashima Observatory, where you can get a panoramic view of the deep blue Sea of Japan and the white rocks, we headed to Iwakura's Chichisugi Cedar, a highlight of this tour. I thought it would be impossible to get there by bicycle, so I'm glad I chose this tour! It was as if mystical power was pouring out from the trees. With this, I have completed my tour of Yaoyasugi, Kaburasugi, and Chichisugi! I felt a great power from the strength of the trees, which seemed to embody the life force of the Oki land.
We also listen to a talk from our guide while looking at the Kuroshima Observatory, where basalt juts out into the sea.
When I was told that this island was formed by a volcanic eruption 6 million years ago, it seemed like such a long time ago that it made me stop thinking, but what I saw before my eyes now was definitely a world that existed before I was born. It took a lot of imagination to understand this epic story.
The "Kaburasugi" (turnip cedar) suddenly appears among the trees. It is said to be about 38.5 meters tall, which is about the height of a 10-11 story building.
Kabura cedar is a type of "Urasugi" with branches that turn downward to withstand snow. Urasugi is a type of cedar that grows on the Sea of Japan side (Ura-Nihon).
There is one trunk at the base. But six thick trunks and other thin trunks grow tall from there. The tree is about 600 years old. Each trunk is thick enough on its own.
Shirashima Coast is a nationally designated scenic spot and natural monument. View from the observation deck. This was probably the bluest sky we saw on this trip!
It is a unique landscape dotted with small islands caused by erosion. The cliffs show that the land rose up from the sea due to crustal movements and volcanic eruptions.
Tunnel-like scenery is a common sight in the Oki Islands. Although it is no longer in regular service, I once saw the cobalt blue sea inside the cave on the "Shirashima Sightseeing Boat," and I can vouch for the beauty of the sea around Shirashima!
You can see how beautiful it is from above. There seem to be lots of turban shells and abalones.
Iwakura's Breast Cedars. It's well worth visiting Oki just to see these beautiful sights.
It has an overwhelming presence. It is about 800 years old and 30 meters tall. It is a cedar that is worshipped by the torii gate that seems to say it is a sacred area. It has breast-shaped roots called "aerial roots (stalactite roots)" that are rare for cedars.
There was a big fern growing near the base of the tree, and it looked like something out of a prehistoric movie. It looked like a dinosaur was about to pop out from the back.
Kuroshima Observatory. This rock is made of basalt, and when it was formed, it came to the surface while still incorporating the "mantle" from inside the Earth. It is not only a beautiful sight, but also an important rock that tells us about the Earth itself.
View the island cliffs from the sea in a sea kayak
Actually, this is my sixth or seventh time going to Oki Island. However, this is my first time trying sea kayaking, something I've never had the chance to do before.
To be honest, I was worried about my camera getting wet so I couldn't take many photos, but it was a great geological experience!
The beauty of nature seen from the surface of the ocean, a much lower place than usual. High cliffs that are almost frightening to look up at, islands visible in the distance, and crystal clear sea.
I got into the kayak with the mindset of it being an active activity, thinking "Let's paddle, let's paddle," but rather than paddling frantically, I found the leisurely, slow speed to be very comfortable and calming.
The stories our guide gave about the island's origins and history were very enjoyable and educational, and we were surrounded by nature on all sides, giving us the feeling of floating.
It was a truly grand experience. I'd definitely like to do it again the next time I visit Oki!
Now let's view nature from the sea. We depart from the Marine Sports Center in a two-seater sea kayak.
We set off into the Sea of Japan accompanied by a guide. The kayak has a lot of buoyancy and is very stable, so it's safe to ride, but your lower body will get quite wet. It felt like water was filling up inside the kayak, so I was careful with my camera.
Although it rained a little on the way, the sea of Tsuma was also very beautiful. I understood why abalone and turban shells, which eat seaweed, are so delicious because there is a lot of seaweed! Apparently, even the rock surface turns bright red at sunset. I listened to various stories while leisurely paddling the water. I think I'm going to get addicted to sea kayaking!
Depending on the course, you can go to a cave. I took a leisurely course cruising the ocean, gazing at the ocean surface and at distant islands.
It was a truly grand experience. I'd definitely like to do it again the next time I visit Oki!
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
