Aug 16, 2019 - 2 min read

Ojika Island: A Summer Paradise

A new summer paradise uncovered!

By Victoria Simkovic

Community writer

A blue sky above a blue sea and below. All around you and everywhere you go: that's how summer looks like on Ojika Island

In Japan you cannot go to a beach without a watermelon

Locally grown watermelons can be found on every corner on Ojika Island. Make sure you grab one on your way to the beach

You can get your lunch at the 'Flourjams' food truck. This serves hot sandwiches and curry

The local beach has a shaded space, showers and restrooms

It is easy and fun way to get around Ojika Island by electric bike which you can rent at Ojika Ferry Terminal

The crystal clear turquoise waters will make you squeal with excitement

You can enjoy various water sports on Ojika Island such as SUP, sea kayaking, banana boat ride and more

Snorkeling lovers can see plenty of sea life (including corals), around the surrounding rocks

On your way back from the beach drop by Tan Tan cafe to cool down with a delicious serving of shaved ice

Summer night time is firework time in Japan

With sunflower fields becoming something of a trend in Japan Ojika Island has planted their own. You can enjoy this beautiful scenery in summer

Ojika Island brings you a perfect mix of Okinawa's tropical beach and Japan's atmospheric landscape that we all love so much

Okinawa might be a scene-stealer when it comes to summer time travel, but here on Ojika Island we are firm believers that this Island's summers are the best.

This can be seen when visiting this island's breathtaking beaches with their turquoise waters which, are missing only one thing; crowds of people. You can also enjoy trying some locally grown melons and watermelons. These are sold on every corner throughout this island and it wouldn't an exaggeration to say they taste heavenly. Make sure you grab yourself one (or two), before you head to the beach for a game of "suikawari"!

Getting around Ojika Island is also great fun too. Forget crowded trains and buses and instead hop onto an electric bicycle. These can be rented out at the local ferry terminal. When cycling to the local beach you can really enjoy this island's beautiful scenery and also greet some locals, which can include the occasional cow here and there. While cycling you can also enjoy feeling the sunshine and summer breeze on your face. It takes only about 20 minutes by bicycle to get to Kakinohama beach from Ojika Island's Ferry Terminal where your trip to the beach will be just as much fun as the beach itself.

When at the beach you can enjoy snorkeling, SUP, sea kayaking, bana-boat riding and many more water activities. If you need to recharge your energy after all the swimming then you could try "Flourjams"; a kitchen car that serves hot sandwiches and curry along with using peanut paste that made from locally grown peanuts. This kitchen also serves various refreshments right at the beach, (weekends only). On your way back from the beach it might also be a good idea to drop by the 'Tan Tan Cafe' to cool down with a generous serving of Kakigori: a flavored shaved ice dessert.

As the evening sky gets darker you will notice the sea coast lights up with colorful fireworks. This is another activity that is enjoyed by locals as well as travelers. You can buy many of these fireworks from some local supermarkets and the Yokoyama Stationary shop.

Sounds amazing, right? That is some of the magic which you can find in Ojika Island

You can reach Ojika Island via night ferry from Hakata in Fukuoka. You can also take the day ferry from Sasebo in Nagasaki. Conveniently, there are also speed boats travelling from Sasebo reaching Ojika in only 90 minutes.