Who wouldn’t want to have their own private island? Imagine being able to get away from the world whenever you liked, free yourself from the stress of the daily grind and just relax under the sun or the nighttime stars on the beach.
Well the best place to start looking for such a private island is Japan. There are lots of small uninhabited islands owned by real estate companies that you can buy one almost as easily as you’d buy a house.
We recently visited one such island for sale to see what it was like and decide whether we should start saving up our pennies to buy one ourselves—after all, Rocket Island has quite a nice ring to it. Read on to see what our trip there was like, and to see some of the surprises that we ran into.


Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Tokyo’s first gourmet choco banana specialty shop is worth stopping in Harajuku for
Never forget that Mister Donut’s super-simple ramen is actually very hard to beat
All-you-can-eat lunch buffet for just 850 yen right next to Shinjuku Station
Survey asks Japanese teens which school club they want to join, and “kitaku” club is top choice
Is Kyoto’s raindrop cake as good as the original from Yamanashi?
“The revolutionary way to pick your nose!” We try out the Nose Picker
This beautiful Nara inn was once home to a Living National Treasure
Japanese osechi New Year’s meal lucky bag gives us way more than we bargained for
Even Japanese people are frightened by the concealed anger in Kyoto compliment foreigner received
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girls
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Is Kyoto’s raindrop cake as good as the original from Yamanashi?
“The revolutionary way to pick your nose!” We try out the Nose Picker
This beautiful Nara inn was once home to a Living National Treasure
Japanese osechi New Year’s meal lucky bag gives us way more than we bargained for
Even Japanese people are frightened by the concealed anger in Kyoto compliment foreigner received
Permanent Sailor Moon stage show theater announced for Tokyo
Sausage stepping in for increasingly expensive octopus at takoyaki stands around Japan
Believe it or not, this isn’t a Tokyo vending machine – It’s a secret door to deliciousness
Is “Nagoya skipping” a cause of the exodus of young people from the city?
Japan’s original oyakodon restaurant reopens after three years in a newly renovated building
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
All-you-can-eat cake is all you need to convince us to eat at this Tokyo café
Japanese island with a population less than 10 is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides