About 25km northwest of Haboro in Rumoi Region, Yagishiri-to (焼尻島) is something like a remote Scottish island that has a sizable sheep farm, native yew forest and coastal wildflower gardens.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Location 25km west of Haboro, 4km east of Teuri-to
Population 200
Highlights Yagishiri Historical Museum, Suffolk Sheep Farm
Tourist Information Yagishiri Tourist Information Desk (焼尻島観光案内所): Teuri ferry terminal / Mid Apr-late Aug / Left-luggage service, accommodation booking
Bike Rentals Rent-a-Cycle Umehara (レンタサイクル梅原): facing the ferry terminal / May-Sep
01 LOCAL HISTORY
Yagishiri Historical Museum
焼尻郷土館 (旧小納家) / Yagishiri Kyodokan (Kyu Kona-ke) / 183 Higashihama / 9am-4pm May-Sep / ¥320
This semi Western-style wooden house was built in 1900 by a fisherman’s boss. The Kona family ran a general store, accommodation, post and telegraph offices here. Each room has displays on the household implements and old photos. Behind the house is a quiet garden planted with yews.
02 FOREST
Onko Gensei-rin
オンコ原生林
The inland hills have walking trails (bikes are also available) through the impressive Onko Gensei-rin (Japan’s largest yew forest), offering quiet spots such as the Onko-no-Sho (オンコの荘) with ocean views, parks and mini valleys. The main entrance is about 700m south from the Kohei Kaido Monument on the coast.
03 SCENIC FARM
Suffolk Sheep Farm
めん羊牧場
Occupied the central part of the island, you can look over the tranquil sheep farm and its glasslands along the Onko Kaido (オンコ街道).
04 SCENIC VIEWPOINT
Takanosu Park
鷹の巣園地 / 24hrs / Closed in winter
At the western end of the Onko Kaido, this hilltop park has the best view of Yagishiri-to. From here, the scenic southern coastal road leads to Shirahama.
05 CAMPING & BEACH
Shirahama Yaei-jo
白浜野営場 / Shirahama / May-Aug / FREE
On the southern coast close to Shirahama Beach, this pleasant hillside campsite has a kitchen and a toilet overlooking the ocean.
YAGISHIRI-TO MAP
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Cycling on Yagishiri-to
DISTANCE 10km | DURATION 2.5 HOURS | TIMING MAY – SEP
START: Yagishiri Port
↓ 2km (25min) by bike via Kohei Kaido Memorial
02 Onko Gensei-rin
↓ 750m (5min) by bike
03 Suffolk Sheep Farm
↓ 2km (25min) by bike on Onko Kaido
04 Takanosu Park
↓ 2.4km (15min) by bike
05 Shirahama Yaei-jo
↓ 2.1km (15min) by bike
01 Yagishiri Historical Museum
↓ 650m (5min) by bike
FINISH: Yagishiri Port
GETTING THERE
The car ferry Ororon 2 sails from Haboro to Teuri (1hr 45min / ¥2330) via Yagishiri (1hr / ¥1600). There are one to three daily ferries except on 8 to 26 April.
From June to August (plus 8-26 Apr and late Apr-early May), the hydrofoil Sun Liner 2 sails on the same route from Haboro to Teuri (1hr / ¥4170) via Yagishiri (35min / ¥2830).
GETTING AROUND
Yagishiri has a 12km-long perimeter road that runs along the coast. Locals advise to go around the island from Onko Gensei-rin to the southern coast by bicycle (roughly two hours) or on foot (roughly three hours).
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