What activities can I do at Funabiki Canal?

Visitors can walk pathways along the canal, kayak through the passage, explore tide pools, hike coastal areas, and photograph volcanic rock formations and dramatic coastal scenery.

How long does it take to reach Nishinoshima from mainland Japan?

Ferry from Shimane mainland to Dogo Island takes 2 to 3 hours, then another 1 hour ferry to Nishinoshima. Total travel time is approximately 3 to 4 hours from mainland ports.

What is the best way to experience Funabiki Canal?

Kayaking through the canal provides the most immersive experience, allowing you to see the volcanic rock walls from water level as historical vessels did. Walking the pathways offers good views and photography opportunities.

Are there facilities or services at Funabiki Canal?

No. The canal area is undeveloped with minimal facilities. Visitors should bring water, food, and supplies from Urago or other settlements on Nishinoshima.

Funabiki Canal, Nishinoshima

4.2 (18)Tourist AttractionPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated Mar 10, 2026

Funabiki Canal is located on Nishinoshima Island, part of the Oki Islands archipelago in the Sea of Japan off Shimane Prefecture. Constructed during the Edo period, the canal was hand-carved through volcanic rock to facilitate timber and goods transport across the island. Measuring approximately 300 meters in length, it connected two coastal areas, eliminating the need for vessels to navigate dangerous headlands. This shortcut reduced travel time and risk for fishing and cargo boats operating in the region's challenging waters.

The canal represents a rare example of Edo-period coastal engineering within Nishinoshima's volcanic landscape. The Oki Islands are designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark for their geological diversity and cultural heritage shaped by volcanic activity and maritime traditions. Funabiki Canal demonstrates historical island community adaptation to geographic constraints and reliance on maritime commerce. The surrounding area features dramatic coastal cliffs, volcanic rock formations, and clear waters characteristic of the Sea of Japan.

Visitors can view the canal from observation points and walk pathways along its length. The canal cut through dark volcanic rock creates visual contrast with surrounding blue waters and coastal vegetation. Kayaking tours allow visitors to paddle through the canal, experiencing the passage as historical vessels did while observing rock walls and marine environment from water level. The area offers coastal hiking, tide pool exploration, and photography of geological formations in a quiet, undeveloped setting.

Access requires reaching Nishinoshima Island via ferry from Saigo Port on Dogo Island, the largest Oki Island, with journeys taking approximately 1 hour. Dogo Island is accessible by ferry from Sakaiminato or Shichirui Port on the Shimane mainland, with crossing times of 2 to 3 hours depending on route and vessel. Services also operate from ports in Tottori Prefecture. On Nishinoshima, the canal is accessible by rental car or bicycle from the main settlement of Urago, approximately 8 kilometers away. There is no admission fee.

Traveler reviews

The canal here is surprisingly deep, but because the water is so clear, it appears shallow, making it a mysterious place. The jellyfish swimming slowly through the river were so beautiful that I couldn't help but stop and stare. When the light shines on the surface of the water, the underwater scene looks even more fantastical, and it's truly soothing. If you're lucky, you might even see a tourist boat passing by, which creates ripples on the water's surface, making the whole scene even more picturesque. This is a very fascinating canal where nature and man-made elements blend together beautifully. It was the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll.

抹茶餅子

Jun 4, 2025

This is a must-see tourist spot if you visit Nishinoshima. The view from the bridge was incredibly beautiful. It's amazing that this was artificially created. There's a beach nearby, so I'd like to stop by and swim there next time I visit.

If you go from the canal sign, you won't be able to get off, so it's better to enter from the beach sign. The canal is impressive, but the view from the ocean side is quite dynamic.

Nishinoshima was once just barely connected to the mainland via the Funabiki Canal, but when this area was excavated and turned into a canal to allow boats to pass through, it was separated into "two islands connected by a bridge." Strictly speaking, it is now called Oki Goto, not the Oki Four Islands. You can see the canal from north to south from the bridge, but the roads nearby are narrow and there is no parking space, so we recommend going east from the bridge and further along the road along the beach, parking near the public toilets, and then walking to the destination.

One of the most representative scenic spots in the Oki UNESCO Global Geopark, the Kuniga Coast, is accessible by sightseeing boat from the sea. There are two courses: Course A, which departs from and returns to Urago Port, and Course B, which departs from Beppu Port and returns to Urago Port. Both courses pass through the Funabiki Canal on their way there and back. Before this canal was built, boats had to be pulled ashore to reach the Sea of Japan (open sea), which is rich in fish and suitable for fishing, from the inland sea. The boats were then pulled across a 100-meter-wide isthmus by human power. In 1915, the isthmus was cut open and a canal was constructed. After numerous improvements were made, it became the Funabiki Canal we see today.

Funabiki Canal, Nishinoshima

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