Tomogashima is a collection of four islands that rest in the Kitan Strait off the coast of Wakayama. The four islands of Okinoshima, Jinoshima, Torajima, and Kamijima rest between Wakayama and Awaji Island. From the coast of Wakayama, the four islands stand out as untouched natural jewels breaking through the waves. Read this Tomogashima guide to find out more.
Of the four islands, the biggest and only accessible one to the public is Okinoshima. Often Okinoshima is also called Tomogashima as people will refer to this island when discussing a visit to Tomogashima. The island was used during the Meiji Restoration as a strategic base to defend against foreign invasion. The government built a military fort with other installations. The island is no longer a military base and has become a popular destination for the public. Boasting stunning views and abandoned facilities to explore, the island is a popular hiking destination.
How to get to Tomogashima.
To get to Tomogashima you need to take a boat from Kada, a small town outside Wakayama city. When I went I left Osaka from Nanba train station on a direct train to Wakayama. Most tourists will likely be going by this route from Osaka. There are plenty of train options to use from Osaka to Wakayama city.
I then stayed the night in Wakayama city, where I ate shirako (read about shirako here), and went to Kada early the next day. You don’t need to stay the night, the train from Osaka matches up with the train to Kada and then the ferry. If you get a train early from Osaka you will have plenty of time to get to the ferry.
I took a direct train from Wakayama train station to Kada. The route passes through coastal areas and train stops that you could get off to go to the beach. Once reaching Kada station there’s a 15 minute walk to the seafront where Tomogashima Kisen runs the ferry service to the island.
Kada
When I arrived we had just missed the ferry and had to wait for the next one so my friend and I decided to grab something to eat and explore Kada, which I’m glad we did as we could chill by the seafront, where I discovered the horrible sea roach, and visited Awashima shrine. I recommend visiting Awashima shrine just for the vast collection of porcelain ornaments and statues.
Tomogashima
The ferry over is nice and quick. We stood near the end and watched as Wakayama and Kada pulled away into the distance. We skirted past Jinoshima and round to the Tomogashima dock on the north side of Okinoshima.
Even though Tomogashima is ‘abandoned’ there is still a paved and well-kept route for visitors to walk around the island. The route also features various facilities such as cafes, food stands, a hostel, and water sports centres. follow the first route round to some ruins and the lighthouse. The lighthouse still stands and is kept in good condition, contrasting against the other ruins.
The island has many great hiking trails, if you go off the popular routes you can start climbing up the island to find some stunning panoramic views. Walking through overgrown paths to break into clearings and spotting a beautiful tropical island view is a must-do on the island.
Military fort
The abandoned facilities are a main feature of the island that attracts many tourists. You can explore many of the old stone structures built into the land. Nature had no reclaimed the buildings, as the foliage grows on and through the old stone. There are various rooms and areas you can explore that are now empty and there is a strange eeriness to it all. It’s fun walking through it and imagining how it looked in the past.
Laputa – Castle in the Sky
One thing to note about the fort is that it is often said to be the inspiration for the Studio Ghibli movie Laputa – Castle in the Sky. When talking about the island to locals in Osaka they will often cite this film and how the ‘castle in the sky’ is based on Tomogashima. However, there isn’t any evidence to back these claims up as Studio Ghibli never said if it is or isn’t. So make your mind up when visiting.
The island has a lot to offer. If you want a casual day out and somewhere to have a picnic and a stroll then there is a main route to follow. Or if you want a more strenuous hike you can take a route around the whole island. We hiked one of the routes but not the longest to the other end of the island. It’s a cool place to visit if you’re in Wakayama or want a day trip from Osaka and looking to escape to nature. Hopefully this Tomogashima guide has convinced you to visit this amazing place.