All visitors say “Is this really Japan?” because of the amazing scale of the coast and the impressive nature. Cows and horses grazed around us in the nearby fields. We sat here for hours enjoying the view, watching birds fly above us, until the sun set over the sea.
This is a great place to spend a few hours thinking about life and relaxing after a busy trip around Japan!
The view from the top of this 257m high cliff is breathtaking. Volcanic eruptions and subsequent erosion have created this impressive landscape. The hiking track to the bottom is one of the most popular walks in the Oki Islands.
This amazing rock arch has been created by the power of nature. Enjoy walking around the coast here, taking photos of the amazing arch and surrounding unusually-shaped rocks and islands. You can have a picnic here under the gazebo, or swim at the beach nearby.
This strangely-shaped rock looks like a Buddhist deity (kannon). When the sun sets over the rock, it looks like a candle. This is a great place to enjoy impressive sunsets.
From here you can enjoy panoramic views across the Oki Islands and out to the Sea of Japan. Horses and cows graze here. Onimai is a great place for a picnic or an afternoon nap in the sun.
The scenery here is like nothing else in Japan! Horses and cows graze along the 7km coastline. The views are amazing. There is a great walking course (2.3km one way) which I would recommend. You can start at Matengai Cliff and walk down to Kuniga Beach via Tsutenkyo Arch.
I took visitors from Russia, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand here.
They all said “Is this really Japan?” because of the amazing scale of the coast and the impressive nature. Cows and horses grazed around us in the nearby fields. We sat here for hours enjoying the view, watching birds fly above us, until the sun set over the sea.
This is a great place to spend a few hours thinking about life and relaxing after a busy trip around Japan
This coastline is truly spectacular. I envy the horses and cows that roam freely on the top of the towering 257m high Matengai Cliff as they enjoy the most incredible view of the coast and seemingly endless blue sea. Walking down from the top of Matengai Cliff on the trail is a breathtaking experience, and when you reach the bottom you can see Tsuutenkyo (Bridge to Heaven) and a cluster of rocks called Tenjokai (Heavenly world) up close, and understand the feelings of the people who named them long ago. A beautiful place and well worth the trip.
Besides the amazing views, the wild horses and cows make it even more exciting (just make sure to watch your step). I did this as a solo hike and I’m glad I took my time with it, since there were a lot of different angles at which to enjoy the views, and it was an energizing experience.
Side note, Softbank doesn’t work well in Nishinoshima. I had planned on calling a taxi instead of trying to finish in time to catch the last bus, but had no service. I wound up walking back into town (mostly downhill, just requires a little extra time), but I encountered even more horses that way, so it all worked out well.
>>Watch these dynamic views from the sea!
Address: Nishinoshima Town, Oki-gun [map]
Access: 25 min by car from Beppu Port. Local bus (stops near Tsutenkyo Arch) available from mid-April to mid-October. Sightseeing bus (Japanese language only) also available.