Welcome to the Kamijima Islands. A group of 5 islands nestled within the Japanese Seto Inland sea.
Join us, Matt and Momo of Kamijima Tours, as a friend for a taste of Japan that few explorers will ever see.
“This was the best part of my second trip to Japan. An amazing experience, beautiful scenery with the best hosts I have ever come across”
- Audrey, ‘19, France
Kamijima Tours is located on the Island of Yuge, an Island tucked away in the Shimanami Kaido cycling route.
1.5 hours by public transport from Hiroshima. First take a short train to Mihara, then a beautiful island ferry trip on a local commuter ferry, hopping Islands until you arrive at Yuge. The journey here is an experience you will have to see with your own eyes..
Find your way to Mihara Station
Mihara station is located between Hiroshima and Osaka Stations, just 20minutes away from Hiroshima along the Sanyo Shinkansen line. Take any Kodoma train, and they will all stop at Mihara Station.
Here you can find the times of arrival at Mihara station from the different directions.
Walk from MIHara Station to Mihara ferry Port
At Mihara Station, transfer to Mihara Port Terminal. It is only a short walk down the main street. 4-5minutes. Make sure you go inside the main large ferry building (not the small one at the side) to buy your tickets!
The route from Mihara Shinkansen Station to the Ferry terminal is short and easy
Purchase ferry tickets to Kamijima
The ferry tickets are purchased by vending machine. It will all be in Japanese. But feel free to ask the person manning the stall, they will try help you as much as they can.
First insert cash (usually 1000-5000yen notes and coins only).
Select the number of people you are purchasing for on the touch screen.
Find the button in the photo and press for a ticket to Ikina Island, the button next to it is for Child fare.
(price for adult is 1500yen)
You can also buy return (The same name 生名 but the price is 2560yen).
Collect your tickets, check the depature time and wait for ferry. It should arrive on platform number 2.
Catch the correct ferry
Check the timetable below for the right ferry to catch. The times are normally accurate to the minute in Japan.
The time boards in the ferry terminal will be Japanese. Google Translate will translate “Ikina Island” to “Birth Name”. This is your stop! :)
Click timetable to view ferry website
Click timetable to view most up-to-date schedule
The ferry that will come is the ferry below. The outside seating at the back can be quite noisy, but it has the best views.
Ride the ferry to Ikina Island: Tateishi Port (Usually last stop)
The ferry follows the following route below, but depending on the time of day, Ikina is the 4th or 5th stop. If you are unsure, just keep a close eye out for the same building as below.
If I have arranged to do a day tour, I will be meeting you here!
If you want to go to Yuge Island. Wait for the yellow bus which will stop just in front of the building. Ask the bus driver and ask to go Yuge Port (弓削港 or “you-geh koh” in Japanese), and he will make sure you get off at the right place! :)
Here is a selection of some of the feedback we have received.
"This trip was definitely up there with the best experiences I've ever had in this beautiful country. Matt and Momo will give you a taste of a part of Japan that is so different than the hustle and bustle of the big cities…"
“This was the best part of my second trip to Japan. An amazing experience, beautiful scenery with the best hosts I have ever come across”
“My stay on the island was the highlight of my trip to Japan, so much so, that I'm considering renting an apartment”
"you get a chance to observe life in a tiny seaside community that otherwise you might miss - and therein lies the magic of Matthews tour (…) This couple are the loveliest people you could hope to meet, and they make this Experience much more than just an experience - its more like an immersion in a very caring community. Matthew and Momo I cant thank you enough."
"I am so glad I ventured away from Hiroshima to find my way to Matt’s special part of Japan."
“If you want to experience a real piece of Japan in a small local community don’t hesitate to join a tour with Matt.”
