Iki Island: An Outlying Island with Clear Genkai Sea and Ancient Kingdom History

Iki Island: An Outlying Island of Ancient Kingdom Ruins and Beautiful Sea

Iki Island in Iki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, is an outlying island in Genkai Sea with a circumference of approximately 132 kilometers. It is the land of an ancient kingdom appearing in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki as "Ikoku," with "Harunotsuji ruins" designated as a National Special Historic Site as a settlement ruin from the Yayoi to Kofun periods.

Appeal of Iki's Sea

Iki's sea has high transparency with many emerald blue beaches. The transparent sea of "Tatsunoshima" is Iki's premier spectacular scenery spot. Snorkeling, diving, and ocean swimming can be enjoyed. It bustles with many ocean swimmers in summer.

Iki Wheat Shochu

Iki is said to be the "birthplace of wheat shochu," with Iki shochu using 100% wheat characterized by a unique flavor also called "Iki Whisky." The authentic wheat shochu certified under WTO (World Trade Organization) geographical indication protection is popular as a souvenir.

Iki Shrines and Sacred Grounds

Iki is also called "an island where gods live," with over 150 shrines on the island with a population of approximately 27,000. "Tsukiyomi Shrine" is the head shrine of Tsukiyomi shrines throughout Japan — a distinguished shrine enshrining the moon god Tsukiyomi no Mikoto.

Access

Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 5 minutes by high-speed boat from Hakata Port. Or approximately 2 hours 10 minutes by ferry.