Hidden Ocean Gateway: Nagoya's Island Exploration
Most people associate Nagoya with castles, miso cuisine, and industrial hubs, but this central metropolis is actually an excellent starting point for exploring the islands of Ise Bay. Unlike the tropical vibes of Okinawa or the classical poetry of the Seto Inland Sea, Aichi Prefecture's island hopping focuses on "artistic revitalization" and "authentic fishing village flavors," opening another window to marine culture for travelers.
From Nagoya Station, the Meitetsu line takes about 1 hour to reach Kawaura Port on the Handa Peninsula, which serves as the maritime gateway to the Mikawa Bay islands. Compared to the developed tourism of the Seto Inland Sea, this waters area maintains more of the simple charm of fishing villages—locals still rely on fishing for their livelihood, and tourists are welcomed guests rather than the main economic driver.
Three Key Highlights
Dialogue Between Modern Art and Traditional Fishing Villages
These islands have become new stages for art festivals in recent years, where contemporary installations form an interesting visual contrast with century-old fishing ports. Island residents went from initial confusion to gradual acceptance, and even actively participating in creations, showcasing another possibility for Japanese regional revitalization.
Unspoiled Seafood Experience
The island cuisine lacks the overly packaged sophistication—fisherman-operated eateries serve the day's catch, with octopus, flounder, and sea urchin all freshly pulled from the sea. Prices are reasonable, with seafood set meals around ¥1,500-2,500, far below tourist area standards.
Condensed Island Culture Experience
Each island is compact—walking 2-3 hours allows you to circle the entire island, perfect for day trip itineraries. The islands preserve the pace of life from the Showa era, with no convenience stores, only general stores and post offices, where time seems to have slowed down by half.
Recommended Island Tours
Shinojima: Octopus Kingdom Seafood Feast
Shinojima is famous for octopus fishing, with dried octopus views visible throughout the island. We recommend trying the fisherman-operated guesthouse cafeterias to taste freshly caught octopus sashimi and boiled octopus rice. The southern tip of the island has a small beach where you can enjoy undisturbed seaside time in summer. From Kawaura Port, the high-speed ferry takes about 20 minutes, one-way ¥1,210.
Hinagatajima: Puffer Fish Hometown's Refined Cuisine
This heart-shaped small island is Aichi Prefecture's famous puffer fish farming base, with October to March being the best season for enjoying puffer fish. The island has several ryokans specializing in puffer fish cuisine, offering complete puffer fish banquets from sashimi to hot pot. Outside the puffer fish season, flounder and sea urchin take center stage. The island offers bicycle rentals, with island circuit riding taking about 1 hour.
Sakushima: Modern Art's Offshore Exhibition Hall
Sakushima has actively promoted art revitalization in recent years, with multiple outdoor art pieces scattered across the island. The most famous is the colorful house cluster "O-hirune House" (Nap House) by the coastline. When cherry blossoms bloom in spring, the pink flower seas and art installations form a stunning composition. The island has cafes serving light meals using local ingredients in a serene environment.
Maejima: Hidden-Grade Fishing Paradise
Compared to other islands, Maejima has fewer tourists, maintaining an even more pristine fishing village scenery. The island has quality fishing spots for experiencing sea angling fun. Seaweed and small dried fish made by locals are of excellent quality, making them top souvenir choices. Due to fewer tourism facilities, it's recommended for travelers with some outdoor activity experience.
Practical Information
Transportation
From Nagoya Station, take the Meitetsu Kawaura Line to Kawaura Station, then transfer to a shuttle bus to Kawaura Port (about 5 minutes). Regular ferry services connect the islands, and purchasing a one-day pass is more economical. Ferry operating hours are approximately 6:30-17:30, with fewer winter services.
Budget
Round-trip ferry ¥2,000-3,000, island meals ¥1,500-4,000, accommodation (if staying) ¥8,000-15,000. Day trip budget approximately ¥6,000-8,000, including transportation, meals, and minor shopping.
Best Time to Visit
Cherry blossom season in April-May offers the most beautiful scenery, July-August is ideal for beach activities, and October-March is when seafood is at its richest. Avoid Japan's Golden Week (late April-early May) and Obon festival (mid-August) for a quieter island experience.
Travel Tips
Cash is frequently used on the islands, so bring sufficient cash. Some islands have weak mobile signals, download offline maps before departure. Sea weather changes quickly, carry a windproof jacket. Most island residents are elderly—be patient and polite when communicating, and they usually love sharing local stories.
Since China-Japan flights have decreased by approximately 40% due to diplomatic relations, currently the islands mainly attract domestic Japanese tourists and visitors from other countries, which反而讓這些島嶼保持了相對寧靜的氛圍，反而讓這些島嶼保持了相對寧靜的氛圍，反而讓這些島嶼保持了相對寧靜的氛圍，這反而讓這些島嶼保持了相對寧靜的氛圍，是體驗往常日本漁村文化的絕佳時機。
