Less than 30min away by ferry, the island is a quiet, sleepy town. Abundant in nature, and home to numerous contemporary art instillations, Sakushima is an excellent destination for a day trip. Explore, take in the peaceful scenery, the views of the ocean, and embrace the slow life.
Sakushima used to be a bustling town in the Meiji period (1880’s), with its population thriving in the shipping and seafaring business. Many ancient artefacts from Japan’s earliest cultures (the Jomon and Yayoi) have been discovered on the island! As people gradually moved away to major cities over the years, today, it has a population of less than 300 people.
Contemporary art exhibitions and instillations came to the island in the late ‘90s to revitalise tourism. As many houses and shrines on the island are from the Taishō and Shōwa period, the island is a picture of new and old; a partnership of quaint and modern amongst the lush greenery that grows on the island year-round. A lot of the houses on the island are black – which comes from a tradition of coating houses in tar to protect them from the salty sea winds. The black houses are excellent backdrops for photography, and quirky signboards have been placed to accentuate its photogenic nature.
With little infrastructure on Sakushima (no konbini chains, supermarkets, and with minimal traffic lights), the best way to get around is by bicycle. There are many bicycle rental places after arriving at the Sakushima ferry terminal port. The island is easily to traverse, and trails take you along the coastline, through some (paved) forested areas, and through quaint neighbourhood areas. You might also be able to spot black hawks, herons, muskrats, and cats as you make your way around the island.
Famous contemporary art instillations such as the Ohirune House, East House, and the Kamome no Chushajyo (or, seagull parking lot), are regularly featured on social media sites like Instagram. Also, their beach with naturally purple sand is a curious phenomenon caused by the erosion of mussel shells over hundreds of years.
Summer is the peak visiting season at Sakushima, so many cafés and restaurants will be open during this time! There are seafood restaurants and places with small bites and snacks, cold or ice-blended drinks, coffee, and soft-serve ice cream. However, if you’re visiting during the off-season, it might be better to pack some snacks of your own, just in case!
