Aoshima
Aoshima, A Small Tropical Island Off Miyazaki Joined To The Shore By A Bridge And Ringed By A Rock Shelf Of Wave Cut Stone Known As The Devil'S Washboard, With A Small Shrine In A Dense Forest Of Fan Palms. A Short Walk And A Surf Beach. · Miyazaki, Miyazaki
Aoshima is a small island off the coast south of Miyazaki in southern Kyushu, about 1.5 km around - confirm - and joined to the shore by the short Yayoi Bridge. The island is covered with a dense subtropical forest of fan palms and other warm-climate plants, which is protected as a special natural monument - confirm. At its centre stands Aoshima Shrine, a small shrine often called a match-making shrine and visited by couples and people hoping for a partner. A ring of wave-cut sandstone, the Devil's Washboard, called Oni-no-Sentakuita, stretches around the shore like corrugated ridges, best seen at low tide. A beach beside the bridge draws surfers and, in summer, swimmers. It suits casual sightseers and families on a Miyazaki weekend. A loop walk takes about an hour. It is worth a short stop, and not worth a long detour unless you want the shrine, the rock shelf and a sea breeze. Bring cash and shoes with grip.
Aoshima, Miyazaki, on the coast south of Miyazaki city, joined to the shore by a short bridge a few minutes from Aoshima Station on the JR Nichinan Line, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
The island and its shrine are open at all hours of the day, though the shrine office that sells charms keeps shorter hours, usually daytime only - confirm. There is no entry fee. The Devil's Washboard is best seen at low tide; check the tide times for the day. From Miyazaki Station, take the JR Nichinan Line to Aoshima Station, about 30 minutes - confirm - then walk about ten minutes to the bridge. IC cards work on the JR line, but carry cash for the shrine and the shops. Summer beach facilities run seasonally.