Aoshima Rocks

Take a leisurely stroll around this beautiful island

Amber Mezbourian May 19, 2013 - 1 min read

Aoshima is a short drive or train journey south of Miyazaki City. Walk across this bridge to reach the island.

This large red torii marks the way to Aoshima Jinja.

Aoshima Jinja is a shrine said to bring good luck to couples. It is set in the centre of the island, in the middle of thick subtropical jungle.

A number of booths within the shrine grounds sell charms and other religious items to worshippers. You can try your luck 'fishing' with a small rod for one of these papier mache fish, each containing a paper slip with a fortune written on it.

This tunnel of ema (wooden prayer plaques) leads you to a smaller shrine deeper within the jungle.

This small colourful shrine is quieter and more peaceful than the main building. The thick jungle surrounding it makes you feel as though you've briefly stepped into a different world.

The basalt rock formations that surround Aoshima are known as Oni no Sentakuita, or Devil's Washboard. It is a fascinating sight, and at times it's hard to believe that this occurred naturally.

A small lighthouse in the distance breaks up the horizon.

On a hot day, it's lovely to just take off your shoes and cool off your feet in the shallow rock pools.

Walking around the island, you'll notice lots of interesting patterns and other formations within the rocks. I thought these rocks resembled a row of sea turtles!

Aoshima is a subtropical island fringed with palm trees. On a clear day, it's an idyllic place to visit.

The rocks are in perfectly straight lines, and from some angles they look like waves.

Just south of Miyazaki City, Aoshima is a small island connected to the mainland by a short bridge. The island is covered in subtropical jungle, at the centre of which lies Aoshima Jinja, a shrine believed to bring good luck to couples. Most interesting, however, are the rocks that surround the island. Known as Oni no Sentakuita, or the Ogre's Washboard, these straight lines of basalt look as if they must be manmade, but are totally natural. At just 1.5km in circumference, you can easily walk around the island and admire this unusual phenomenon.

Things to Do in Miyazaki

Amber Mezbourian @amber.mezbourian

I spent three years living in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher on the JET Programme, not knowing what to expect but with images of Tokyo, geisha and Mount Fuji in my mind. I was placed in Yamagata prefecture in a small rural town that I couldn't find in any guidebook. I learnt to sno...