Iki, Tsushima, Goto Islands Travel Guides

The ruins of Iki, which give a sense of exchange with the Chinese mainland. Tsushima, which is strongly influenced by the Korean Peninsula. The Goto Islands, with their beautiful Christian churches, are synonymous with Nagasaki Prefecture, an area with many islands.

Iki, Tsushima, and Goto Islands offer tourist attractions such as Oshima, Kokubunji Temple, and Tsushima, tourist events such as Yokaichi, Gion Yamakasa, and Ajisai Festival, and local delicacies such as Iki no Shima, Tsushima tonchan, and squid sashimi.

Iki, Tsushima, and the Goto Islands are blessed with historical tourist attractions such as the exchange with the Korean Peninsula and historical sites related to hidden Christians, as well as natural attractions such as the coastline. Let us introduce some recommended local information on Iki, Tsushima, and the Goto Islands.

Nagasaki Prefecture is the prefecture with the most islands in Japan. Among them, Iki and Tsushima, which are located in the Genkai Sea in the north of Kyushu, are famous as "Iki Province" and "Tsushima Province" in the ancient Japanese book "Wei-Shi-Wa-jin-Den".

Iki Island, the center of the Iki Islands, is home to the ruins of Hara no Tsuji, the former capital of the "Isshikoku". In a vast area of about 80 hectares, ruins from the Yayoi period, the Old Stone Age, and the Middle Ages are buried. The Hara-no-Tsuji site has been developed into the Hara-no-Tsuji Isshikoku Capital Restoration Park, and excavated artifacts are on display at the Isshikoku Museum in Iki City.

Tsushima Island is located roughly in the middle of Iki Island and the Korean Peninsula. One of the highlights of Tsushima Island is Kanada Castle, which juts out from the southern shore of Asaya Bay. This mountain castle is known to have been built in 667 by the Yamato Imperial Court, which was once defeated in the Battle of Hakumura-gang, as a front line of defense against Silla.

Tsushima also has the ruins of an ancient battlefield from the time of the Genko invasion in the Kamakura period (1185-1333) and the ruins of a castle built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during his invasion of Korea in the Warring States period (1467-1568), showing the traces of exchange and warfare with the Korean Peninsula.

The Goto Islands, on the other hand, consist of about 130 islands floating in the sea about 100 km west of Nagasaki Prefecture, and are located at the westernmost tip of Kyushu. The center of the Goto Archipelago is Fukue Island, which was a castle town of the Goto Domain during the Edo period (1603-1868) and a place of settlement for hidden Christians, and a number of historical sites remain.

First, the Goto Tourist and History Museum, located in the ruins of Ishida Castle, the residence of the Goto domain lords, is a great place to learn about the history, culture, and sights of the Goto Islands for better enjoyment. The Christian Museum in Dozaki Tenshudo and the Christian Cave on Wakamatsu Island are also recommended.

In addition to historical sites, Iki, Tsushima, and the Goto Islands are blessed with beautiful coastlines, strange rocks, and other natural beauty. Some of the most notable examples are the strange rock formations of Oni's Footprints and Monkey Rock on Iki Island, the scenic Asaya Bay on Tsushima Island, which was written about in the Manyoshu poetry anthology, and the spectacular Osezaki Cliffs on Fukue Island, where a chalk lighthouse stands. In addition, there are many beaches on all islands, which are crowded with people in the summer.

Iki, Tsushima, and the Goto Islands are full of historic sites that tell the story of their unique history and the natural beauty of the islands. These islands are definitely worth a visit, as well as a chance to enjoy the unique seafood cuisine that the islands have to offer.