Overview
Suo-Oshima (周防大島町, Suō-Ōshima-chō) is an island in Yamaguchi Prefecture on the Seto Inland Sea, self-branded as "the Hawaii of Japan" due to historical ties to Hawaiian emigration and beaches. Some of the first Japanese emigrants to Hawaii came from Suo-Oshima in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with over 5,000 people immigrating.
Beach · Budget Travel · Cycling · Day Trips · History
Before you go
Connectivity
Standard Japanese mobile carriers provide coverage on the island.
Food
Try local mikan citrus fruit at roadside stands, supermarkets, or in restaurant dishes.
Language
English menus available at some restaurants (Power Beach, Kasahara Honey, Cafe Misaki); many places have no English.
Money
Tachibana-ya ramen restaurant is cash only; most other establishments likely accept cards.
Transport
Rent a car for best island mobility; buses are infrequent and taxis expensive.
Weather
Summer is peak season for beaches; spring offers cherry blossoms at Yashiro Dam Park.
