island
Before you do anything else on Hatsushima, treat yourself to an amazing lunch at this fisherman-run restaurant.
Created completely by nature, this is a hidden gem you won’t want to miss during your Japan travels.
You won’t be disappointed if you want to experience an otherworldly atmosphere with plenty of singular photo ops.
Jeep Island lists snorkeling, diving, and swimming with dolphins as its main attractions. But only Japanese people are permitted to visit.
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.
Aoshima (青島), which is incorporated into Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture, is a small, unpretentious island in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan (which one of our English-language correspondents has covered extensively). However, the 0.5 km² island does have one unique claim to fame–it’s known as a paradise for cats and cat lovers.
We actually featured Aoshima on our list of the 11 top cat islands in Japan back in April. After one Japanese Twitter user shared photos of the island’s hordes of cats online, Aoshima has experienced an unprecedented influx of tourists, leaving the local residents baffled and unprepared to deal with the flood of people streaming in.
MOST POPULAR
Now
The best Hobonichi diaries, covers and stationery for 2026
Ramen for 99 yen?!? Best value-for-money noodles found at unlikely chain in Japan
Potama serves up epic rice balls like no other, and there’s only one store in Tokyo
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
The fish in rural Fukui that rivals Japan’s most auspicious sea bream
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Eevee returns to Japan’s famous Tokyo Banana, bundled with a cute tote bag
We find the best “homestyle” onigiri at a super local chain of convenience stores
10 crazy pizzas from Japan
Weekly
- Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Adorable Totoro acorn key holders come with a special guest hidden inside[Photos]
Monthly
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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- Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
- Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
RECOMMENDED STORIES
The fish in rural Fukui that rivals Japan’s most auspicious sea bream
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Eevee returns to Japan’s famous Tokyo Banana, bundled with a cute tote bag
We find the best “homestyle” onigiri at a super local chain of convenience stores
10 crazy pizzas from Japan
Larger than life Doraemon doll will delight fans, terrify pets and small children
7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets season is underway right now!
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Tokyo street sweets: The must-snack treats of Nakano’s Refutei
Okinawa soul food: We try the most epic pork and egg onigiri rice balls in Japan
Zara creates loungewear that looks like a Japanese school P.E. uniform
Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service returns to theaters with first-ever IMAX screenings and remaster
Starbucks Japan unveils new Sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2025
-
