It is the largest island in the Kasaoka Islands[2], which were designated a Japan Heritage Site in 2019. However, it is one of the smallest inhabited islands in Japan. The ports of Kanafuro and Toyoura are located on the north side of the island, and Oura on the east, with settlements formed around the ports.
The island's bedrock is composed of granite from the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic era, and the stone produced on the island is sold under the brand name Kitaki Stone. Quarries called 'toba' (quarries) are dug deep underground in search of high-quality stone, and when mining is no longer in operation, water accumulates in the quarries, creating the beautiful landscape of 'toba lake', as seen in the photo.
I visited on a day trip organized by JR-affiliated Nippon Travel Agency. I'm not good with ferries, so I was initially feeling apprehensive, but thankfully it didn't rain and the waves were calm, so I was able to travel without getting seasick. There were many tourist attractions, and I enjoyed delicious food, including oysters and fresh fish. I also had a very positive experience interacting with the locals.
It's strange that despite the beautiful scenery, there are so few people there to take photos. When I went it was sometimes cloudy, but it seems like it would be even more beautiful on a sunny day.
It seems popular with local anglers, and the people on the boats seemed to be either fishermen or locals.
There are quarries in various places on the island, and Lake Toba, which was created from the remains of a quarry, was particularly beautiful. It would be even better if you could see it from above using a drone or something.
It seems that bicycle rentals are closed over the New Year holidays.
I'd like to go again on a sunny day.
December 25, 2023
The ferry routes to Kitagishima Island are a bit complicated. Sumiyoshi Port, a 5-minute walk from Kasaoka Station, is served by Sanyo Kisen passenger ships, with services to Oura Port and Kusunoki Port on Kitagishima's east coast. Fushikoshi Port, another port in Kasaoka, is located beyond a tunnel and is about a 15-minute walk from the station. From Fushikoshi Port, ferries operate to Kitagishima's north coast, with services to Toyoura Port and Kanefuro Port.
Many of the sights, such as the quarries, are located between Toyoura Port and Kanefuro Port, so you can simply change your arrival and departure ports when using the ferry.
The island is large enough that it takes a full day to walk around it. I went on a day trip, arriving at Kanefuro at 2:10 PM and departing Toyoura at 4:26 PM. This is enough time to see the sights in the northern part of the island.
As befits an island that prospered from stone, the quarry with an observation deck is still in operation today, with mining and quarrying taking place. Nearby, there is also a large pond resembling a lake, quietly filled with water, on the site of the former quarry, and everywhere you look, there are places that evoke the life and past of the island, centered around stone. In front of you, the Seto Inland Sea stretches out, its waters clear, and many people are enjoying fishing. It was an island where you could feel the long history and the leisurely flow of time.
