Chiburijima

🌿 Discover Chiburijima: Japan’s Hidden Island Gem

Chiburijima, also known as Chiburi Island, is a small, enchanting island located in the Oki Archipelago of Shimane Prefecture, Japan. It is the southernmost and smallest of the four inhabited Oki Islands, with a population of around 600 people

Despite its modest size (just 13.7 km²), Chiburijima offers dramatic natural beauty. The island is part of the Daisen-Oki National Park and the UNESCO Global Geopark, featuring volcanic cliffs, lush pastures, and panoramic views from Mount Akahage, which rises 325 meters above sea level. One of the island’s most striking features is Sekiheki, a vivid red cliff formed by ancient volcanic activity.

Life on Chiburijima is peaceful and slow-paced. There are no traffic lights or convenience stores, and cows often outnumber cars on the roads. The islanders live in harmony with nature, relying on fishing and cattle farming. Visitors can enjoy sea kayaking, fishing, hiking, or simply soaking in the quiet charm of this remote island.

Whether you’re seeking solitude, scenic landscapes, or a glimpse into rural Japanese island life, Chiburijima is a hidden treasure waiting to be explored

Rising gently to 325 meters, Mount Akahage is the highest point on Chiburijima—and perhaps its most poetic. From the summit, a 360-degree panorama unfolds: the scattered Oki Islands, the calm inland sea, and on clear days, even the distant silhouette of Mount Daisen on the mainland.

The mountain’s name, meaning “Red Bald,” comes from its reddish volcanic soil and the fact that strong winds prevent trees from growing near the top. In spring, the slopes are sprinkled with wild radish flowers, and cows graze freely in the open pastures, often watching quietly as visitors pass by.

What makes Mount Akahage special isn’t just the view—it’s the feeling. The wind is crisp, the silence deep, and the horizon endless. It’s a place where you don’t just look out—you breathe in the island itself.

Mount Akahage, standing 325 meters tall on the western side of Chiburijima, is the island’s highest point. From the summit, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the Oki Islands, the calm inland sea, and even Mount Daisen on clear days. The mountain gets its name—“Akahage,” or “Red Bald”—from its reddish volcanic soil and the lack of trees near the top due to strong winds.

At the summit, herds of free-roaming cattle wander through the green pastures—brown and black cows moving at their own pace, completely at ease in the open landscape. Sometimes they come right up near the viewing platform, seemingly unbothered by human presence, as if the mountain belongs entirely to them.

But what struck me most wasn’t the view—it was the silence. No wind, no birdsong, no distant hum. Just stillness. Far from the noise of the city, I felt completely enveloped by sky, sea, and earth. It was the first time I truly thought, “I am inside nature.”

Even now, I sometimes recall that silence. I never knew that the absence of sound could leave such a deep and lasting impression.

After leaving the stillness of Mount Akahage, a walk along Chiburijima’s rugged coastline brings you face to face with one of the island’s most dramatic sights: Sekiheki, the Red Cliff.

Stretching nearly 3 kilometers and rising 50 to 200 meters high, this vivid red wall was formed by ancient volcanic activity. The crimson rock face stands in bold contrast to the deep blue sea and sky, creating a landscape so striking it feels almost surreal. On clear days, the colors—green grass, red cliffs, and blue ocean—blend into a natural masterpiece.

While parts of the cliff can be seen from land, the best way to experience Sekiheki is by sightseeing boat. As the boat glides close to the towering wall, the sheer scale and raw power of nature become overwhelming. It’s hard to believe such a grand, almost otherworldly scene exists on this quiet little island.

Tucked away on the southern coast of Chiburijima, Nagao Beach feels like a hidden cove known only to those who take the time to find it. A short walk down a set of stairs leads you to a small, peaceful bay where the waves gently lap the shore and time seems to slow down.

There are no shops, no vending machines, and no crowds—just the sea, the stones beneath your feet, and the stillness of nature. Local children come here during summer holidays, but most of the time, it’s just you and the ocean. The water was so clear I could see every pebble below, and I found myself completely absorbed in the moment.

What left the deepest impression on me was the clarity and beauty of the sea. I’ve visited many coastal areas across Japan, but Nagao Beach was, without a doubt, the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. The colors were pure, untouched—like nature had been left to speak in its own voice.

Unlike the dramatic cliffs of Sekiheki or the sweeping views from Mount Akahage, Nagao Beach reveals a softer, quieter side of Chiburijima. The afternoon I spent there became one of the most memorable moments of my journey.