Many travelers think of Nagoya merely as a stopover on the way to Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route or Ise Grand Shrine, overlooking that this central city is actually an excellent starting point for beautiful islands. Although Nagoya itself is located inland, with the convenient railway and ferry systems, you can easily explore the distinctive islands around Ise Bay and experience a coastal atmosphere completely different from Honshu.
Unlike island-hopping itineraries in Kyushu or Shikoku, the islands around Nagoya are known for a relaxed, slow-paced lifestyle. With few residents and minimal commercial development, these islands preserve a strong traditional fishing village atmosphere. Here you'll find no crowded tourist hordes, only fresh sea breezes, delicious seafood, and peaceful moments free from worldly cares—perfect for travelers seeking escape from urban noise.
The best way to reach the islands around Nagoya is to depart from Nagoya Station, take the Kintetsu or JR lines to a coastal city, then transfer to ferries heading to each island. I recommend planning a two-day, one-night itinerary to fully experience the unique charm of each island.
Toba
Toba, located in southern Mie Prefecture, is the northern gateway to the island world of Ise Bay. This small town is world-famous for pearl cultivation, home to Japan's largest pearl farms. Walking through the streets of Toba, you'll find pearl product shops everywhere, offering everything from necklaces and earrings to crafts. Toba Aquarium displays over 2,000 marine species, making it the best place to learn about Ise Bay's ecology. From Toba Port, you can take boats to nearby islands like Kami Island and Yamochi Island for day-long island-hopping tours. Toba's signature cuisine is oyster dishes, especially grilled oysters in winter—fresh, plump, and reasonably priced at around ¥1,500-2,500 per serving.
Kami Island
Kami Island is a charming little island full of legendary color in Ise Bay. According to legend, the Japanese mythological hero Yamato Takeru no Mikoto once landed here. The island is small; it takes about two hours to walk around the entire island, yet every corner offers scenery. The island's white beaches and crystal-clear waters create a stunning picture. I especially recommend visiting Hinode Beach to watch the sunrise. With only about 300 residents, the island retains a traditional fishing village lifestyle. You can visit ancient shrines and stroll through narrow alleys, soaking in the strong nostalgic atmosphere. The island's only shrine, Ōkuninushi Shrine, is built at the island's highest point, with ancient stone lanterns lining the approach—quite charming. For accommodation, there are a few cozy family-run inns on the island, with one-night, two-meal packages costing approximately ¥12,000-18,000.
Ag罫ma Bay
Ag罫ma Bay is located in the northeastern Shima Peninsula and is one of Japan's most beautiful bays, famous for its complex coastline and scattered islands like stars in the sky. From Kachima Port, you can take sightseeing boats to enjoy the bay's scenery, and if you're lucky, you might even see wild dolphins. The bay's water displays a dreamy blue-green, earning it the nickname "Japan's Aegean Sea." Kashima along the coast is the core of the Shima Moorish Resort area, filled with exotic villas and shops that give visitors the illusion of being in a European town. The local specialty here is Ise lobster and abalone caught by ama (female divers). Although the price is higher (approximately ¥3,000-5,000 per serving), the freshness and sweetness are absolutely worth trying.
TABISHIRO Beach (Tōchi Island)
Tōchi Island is the largest island in Ise Bay, belonging to Toba City, Mie Prefecture, reachable by ferry from Toba Port in about 25 minutes. The island's famous Shirahama Beach has been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Beaches, with its white sand and highly transparent water leaving visitors amazed. It's an excellent spot for snorkeling and diving, with beautiful coral and tropical fish scattered across the seabed. The island also has a 300-year-old salt field that still maintains traditional salt-making methods; the admission fee is approximately ¥500. I recommend staying overnight on the island. After admiring the spectacular sunset in the evening, enjoy locally brewed sea salt beer at a beach bar and experience the romantic island atmosphere.
Tokoname Ceramic Walk
Although not a traditional island in the conventional sense, Tokoname City on the southern Tokoname Peninsula south of Nagoya connects to an artificial island—"Chura Sun Beach"—via Chubu Centrair International Airport and Sky Bridge. Tokoname is famous for ceramics. Former ceramic factories have been converted into artistic walking paths, with various large ceramic artworks scattered along both sides of the path. Tokoname is only 30 minutes by car from Nagoya Station, so you can combine it with the island itinerary mentioned above to experience a different kind of "ceramic island" charm.
【Practical Information】
Transportation: From Nagoya Station to Toba, you can take the Kintetsu limited express in about 1 hour 40 minutes for ¥1,640 one-way; or take the JR Rapid Mie train in about 2 hours. Ferry schedules from Toba Port to various islands are limited, so I recommend checking the timetable in advance.
Costs: Ferry fares for island-hopping vary by destination. Toba to Kami Island is approximately ¥720 one-way, and Toba to Tōchi Island is approximately ¥1,050. Sightseeing boat tours range from ¥2,500-5,000.
Opening Hours: Ferries usually operate until around 5-6 PM, with reduced winter schedules. Island shops generally operate from about 9 AM to 5 PM.
Accommodation: There are more hotel options in Toba city area, with business hotels at approximately ¥6,000-10,000 per night; island guesthouses with one-night, two-meal packages at approximately ¥12,000-20,000.
【Travel Tips】
1. Ferry connections are key to island-hopping. I recommend checking the complete timetable on the Kintetsu website or Mie Prefecture tourism website in advance.
2. There are limited restaurants on the islands, so I recommend planning meals in advance or dining in the port city before boarding the island ferry.
3. Remember to bring sunscreen and a hat when visiting in summer. In winter, be aware of the cold sea wind; I recommend bringing a windproof jacket.
4. If time is limited, I recommend choosing the Toba + Kami Island one-day combo itinerary, which is enough to experience the essence of island-hopping.
5. The weather around Ise Bay is changeable. Be sure to check the weather forecast before departure, as bad weather may affect ferry services.
