I visited in the winter of 2026 while cycling around the Hinase Islands.
There was no sign of the foolish resort development that you see on Konoshima, and I was able to enjoy the peaceful island atmosphere.
There is a hiking trail where you can walk while looking at the sea. It is an island with a sense of everyday life and not much glamorous sightseeing.
Otafu Island is a 40-minute trip from Hinase Port, priced at 620 yen one way. The Norina Hare train takes you there, offering a breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea islands from the second-floor deck.
Otafu Island boasts impressive sights, including the Genroku Breakwater and Lantern Hall, built in 1698 (Genroku 11). The Kanzaburo Cave, where counterfeit money was once produced, is also worth a visit, so it's definitely worth a visit. Other attractions include the quaint Kasuga Shrine, the abandoned Otafu Elementary School, a large well with fresh water that never dried up, a swimming beach, and the 88-temple pilgrimage.
While there's plenty to see, you can easily walk around the entire island in just two hours and fully enjoy it. There are many jungle-like areas, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
There are no restaurants, supermarkets, or shops on the island. There is one juice vending machine. It may be a good idea to buy a lunch box in advance at Paone supermarket next to Hinase Port and bring it with you.
April 2, 2024
The furthest island in the Hinase Islands. It's a historic island, said to have been used by the Shimazu lords as a waiting point during their journeys to and from Edo (present-day Tokyo), and later built by Ikeda Tsunamasa, the lord of the Okayama domain.
It's a pleasant walk around the island in 2-3 hours, with plenty to see, including the old breakwater and wells.
Currently, oyster rafts float offshore, and there are work sheds for shucking harvested oysters and piles of scallop shells for cultivation.
March 2024
Board the "Norinahare" from the Hinase Islands Ferry Pier and stop at each island along the way for about 40 minutes.
The ferry departs at 12:00 PM, with a return trip at 3:45 PM. You'll only have three hours on Otafu Island, but that's plenty of time to explore!
Otafu Island has nothing on the right half of the island, and there are no roads on the island. In fact, there are villages directly in front of the ferry terminal and on the left coast.
① A time-traveling village and abandoned houses
② Remains of a 1941 Takeda-style hand pump among the abandoned houses
③ The abandoned Otafu Elementary School site. You can enter the school building without any problems.
④ View the oyster factory 🏭, a specialty of Otafu Island, from the outside.
⑤ Remains of a well dug during the Edo period near the ferry terminal.
Note: Kanzaburo Cave is now a restricted area, and you cannot enter the cave.
There is only one vending machine in the waiting room in front of the ferry terminal. 🥤
There are restrooms at the ferry terminal, and you can also find one along the left bank in front of the beach.
