Sakai

Oshima Island

The Ancient Offshore Home of the Deities of the Sea

The island of Oshima is just off the coast of northern Fukui, near the Tojinbo Cliffs. For many centuries, this small, densely forested island has been believed to be where the deities of the sea live. Today, it is still mostly left to nature. The only human-made structures on the island are stone stairs, a shrine dedicated to the sea deities, and a lighthouse.

Oshima is connected to the mainland by an old-fashioned painted pedestrian bridge. Because of its small size—just two kilometers around—visitors can walk around the entire island in about an hour.