IKI ISLAND

Iki Island is located in the Genkai Sea, halfway between Fukuoka Prefecture and Tsushima. It is blessed with sky, the sea, and rich land. Once you stand between the clear blue ocean and smell the fresh green air, you will know why Iki is called "The Island Where God Lives."
It stretches some 17km from north to south, and about 15km from east to west. This is small island can be traveled round from one end to the other within two hours by car. The list of many scenic spots include beautiful beaches, hot springs, historical ruins and ancient tombs, and so many shrines in the mystic atmosphere that some claim to feel the breath of the god.
Guests are surprised to also find squid fishing in the summer, yellowtail and tuna fishing in the winter, as well as catching sea urchins and abalones by the reefs. The abundant supply of fresh water produces fine crops and feeds the highly regarded Iki beef. Barley felds spread across the gently sloping hills, andare used for world-famous Iki shochu liquor.
Although small, a testament to the island’s richness is that it is home to six Michelin-registered restaurants. Actually any restaurant you will stumble upon will all be of the highest quality. Whilst Iki a ritual island, it does not feel exclusive or unwelcoming. The friendly islanders will embrace visitors with great food, and the outstanding natural beauty. It is not surprising that many people move to the island as a result of their travels. This is rare island, rich and beautiful in every way, keeps attracting visitors.

A Japanese ryokan where you can enjoy the beautiful harvest of Iki, with a great reputation of amazing quality and quantity of food. Almost 100% of the ingredients are produced in Iki, including seafood caught in the Genkai Sea, homemade organic vegetables, freshly laid eggs from cage-free chickens, and the legendary Iki beef. Even if you are prepared for a tremendous amount of food, it will probably be three times more than you imagined. What you could not have eaten (because you are so full!) they would arrange it for the next morning, for example if it's sashimi, it'd be served as "zuke" which is even more delicious! If you still can't eat all of the food, the Okami says, "We will use it in our organic farming fields, so don't worry about it." It is also wonderful that they are implementing a circular farming that does not waste anything.
In addition to the elaborate and luxurious dinners, the healthy breakfasts are also popular. On the table there will be a giant Ishu tofu surprisingly delicious home-grown vegetables that are gentle on a tired stomach from the previous night's feast, freshly laid eggs from chickens raised on a diet of only good food, and sun-dried grilled fish caught in nearby waters. When staying for multiple nights, the menu changes each morning and evening. If you want to fully experience the deliciousness of Iki, we recommend a stay of 2 nights.
Also this ryokan’s hot spring is known as one of the most famous hot spring inns in Japan. The thick, reddish-brown saline spring contains a lot of iron, and its concentration is more than 15 times higher than the standard value for therapeutic springs. It warms the body and is said to be highly effective against wound, skin diseases, neuralgia, rheumatism, and women's diseases.
Although it is a high-class hot spring ryokan, I was surprised how friendly the Okami and all the staff are. The most attractive feature is the comfortable atmosphere that makes you want to say "I'm home."

This five-star hotel was introduced in the Michelin Guide Fukuoka-Saga-Nagasaki 2019 Special Edition as the first "luxurious and top-class 5 pavilion" on a remote island in Japan. It is a hotel that is worth visiting just to immerse yourself in an exceptionally high-quality, extraordinary experience.
As soon as you enter the building, you can see the magnificent ocean from the large windows that spread out in front of you, and just looking at the sea's ever-changing appearance will refresh your soul. The space inside the building is well designed in a elegant and calm way.
All 12 guest rooms are equipped with open-air hot spring baths, and in the late afternoon, you can enjoy a luxurious bath on the terrace while watching the beautiful sunset over Yumoto Bay. The staff also act as guardians to regulate the temperature without adding water to the source of the famous hot springs. One of the interesting things about natural hot springs is that the water flow changes depending on the low and high tides. It is a blissful time to feel the coexistence with nature.
Meals include “Kairi-style” Kaiseki cuisine and Teppanyaki where you can enjoy the flavors of seasonal ingredients from Iki. Many customers come to enjoy the finest cuisine, which can be enjoyed at the counter seat with the sea in the background, watching the chef's careful preparations.
This hotel also has a private room with hot spring, spa treatment room, and fitness gym which makes a highly satisfying stay as a retreat.

Tatsunoshima is a desert island located about 10 minutes by boat from Katsumoto Port in the northern part of Iki Island. You can enjoy up close the emerald green ocean and the mysterious beauty created by the rough waves of the Genkai Sea, such as the Mammoth Rock, the Sea Palace, and the Large Folding Screen Rock. On days when the sun shines strongly, the water is crystal clear all the way to the bottom of the ocean, creating a phenomenon known as a "Sorafune(spaceship)" that gives the illusion of floating in the sky! You are very lucky if you can see it.
Once you arrive at Tatsunoshima, get off the boat at the ferry terminal, walk through the narrow pass along the quay, and you'll find a beautiful white sand beach that has been selected by the Ministry of the Environment as one of Best Beach 100." It's a beautiful beach with shallow waters and calm waves where you can safely play even with small children, and just looking at it is soothing. In the summer, it is crowded with not only tourists but also locals, and small shops selling water and cup ramen are open. Although it is a desert island, it is thankfully equipped with showers, free rest areas, and changing rooms

This popular restaurant is frequented by fishermen from Iki Island. The Tensashi Teishoku, a set of thickly sliced sashimi made from fresh fish caught in the Genkai Sea and fragrant Tempura fried from ingredients purchased at Katsumoto Morning Market, is popular. In addition, the "Katsudon", which is made with a creamy egg, is so delicious that once you try it, you will never forget the taste of it! If you have extra space in your stomach, be sure to try the Golden Special Set Meal, which includes all of the popular menu items, including Tensashi Set Meal (tempura and sashimi)and Katsudon. The piping hot "Raw Kajime (seaweed) miso soup" that comes with all set meals is also incredibly delicious.

Their signature menu is a hamburger steak made with Iki beef, a fantastic brand of beef that is raised on grass rich in minerals and has an outstanding taste. The hamburger steak is served on a hot iron plate, and with every bite, the flavor of the moist meat spreads in your mouth. The refreshing Japonais sauce made by the owner is also exquisite. You also appreciate the reasonable pricing, where you can enjoy branded beef hamburgers for around 1,000 yen. The extremely popular hamburgers can also be ordered via mail order. Their home-roasted coffee and nostalgic melon soda are also recommended.

PIZZERIA Potto was selected as a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki 2019 Special Edition for "food that provides satisfaction beyond the price." The pizza dough, baked in an authentic wood-fired oven imported from Italy, is exceptional. In addition to the ever popular
"Margherita" and "Quattro Formaggi," many fans visit for dishes made with seasonal ingredients, such as sea urchin in the spring and figs in the summer. Reservations are essential during the summer months when there are a lot of tourists as there is often a waiting list and some items are sold out. Take-out is not possible because the owner wants the food to be eaten piping hot. 

This cafe was created by renovating a clinic that was the setting for Iki-born author Kei Matsushima's short story collection Sunlight. Based on the concept of "creative cuisine that heals the mind and body from the inside," it uses seasonal ingredients from Iki, as much as possible without using artificial seasonings.
The grounds are surrounded by a beautiful garden full of greenery and sunlight filtering through the trees, creating a pleasant atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy your time wherever you like.
Accommodation facilities are currently under construction on the site. It is scheduled to start operating as an auberge in a few years.

This famous restaurant is so popular in Iki that it is said "Mimasu Sushi for special occasions." The proprietress' personality, which warmly welcomes guests, is also well-received.
The highlights are the voluminous "Kaisen-don(seafood bowl)" and "Tokujo(soecial)  Nigiri" filled with the bounty of the Genkai Sea. The fresh ingredients are shiny, juicy, and all large. "Uni-don" is also popular during the sea urchin season from spring to autumn. Many fans come from outside the island in search of the authentic taste. It's a popular restaurant, so making a reservation will ensure smooth entry.

A restaurant directly managed by a farm where you can eat fresh, soft meat "Iki beef" raised in the mineral-rich sea breeze at a low cost. This is a talented restaurant that was selected for the Michelin Plate in the Michelin Guide Fukuoka-Nagasaki-Saga 2019. Popular menu items include the highest quality "Iki Beef Fillet Steak" and "Special Fillet Yakiniku." Enjoy the refreshing fat, elegant sweetness, and soft texture that melts in your mouth. The butcher store attached to the restaurant also offers a frozen delivery service.

A craft beer brewery established by the 5th generation of Harada Sake Brewery, a shochu distillery founded in 1887, after renovating a sake brewery. Based on the concept of "beer that goes well with fish," we pursue the taste of beer that goes well with fresh seafood and Iki beef. The carefully crafted brewery, now, has the most popular restaurant in just three years since its opening in May 2021.
There are 3 types of standard beers. "Golden Ale," has a natural sourness that spreads in the mouth by incorporating the white koji used in Iki shochu, "IPA," has not only a bitter taste but also a fragrance, and "Yuzu-Koji Ale," has the gorgeous scent of yuzu from Iki." In addition, there are three or four types of seasonal beers available for a limited time. First of all, try the comparison set (3 types of standard beers / 3 types of standard + seasonal beer) where you can enjoy 3 types of beers in small glasses.

Mokuyon Building, Japan's first four-story wooden building, just opened in April 2023. The first floor is a Scandinavian-style cafe, the second floor is a lodging facility filled with the scent of cypress, the third floor is a co-working space where workshops are held, and the fourth floor is a private room for rent that can be used for a variety of purposes. The 4 floors, which are used for different purposes, have an open atrium that gives a sense of freedom. The entire building is made of solid wood, creating a relaxing space. It is also attracting attention from a sustainable perspective as a wooden building that can contribute to a decarbonized society.
At the cafe, the acorn-sized "Acorn Donuts" and "Shin-chan Curry," made with Iki beef tendon carefully simmered with over a dozen different spices, are popular.

If you want to experience the deep Iki, go to the Katsumoto Morning Market, held in front of stores in the Katsumotoura shopping district. Local women gather every morning around 8 a.m. and display their proud ingredients, such as vegetables and seafood caught in the morning, at the storefront. You can also find rare items that can only be purchased here, such as dried fish soaked in homemade sauce and homemade bottled food.
It's also fun to take a stroll through the slightly retro shopping district, which retains the atmosphere of the Showa era. There are many popular shops such as Shimojo Fruits Jam, you might be able to find some nice souvenirs while walking around town.

Kojima Shrine is a small island floating in the sea. Only for a few hours before and after low tide (you have two chances a day), you can visit the main shrine directly by land. This mystical shrine is said to be able to greet the gods by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon. The entire island beyond the torii gate is considered a sacred area, and it is forbidden to take even a twig home with you. If you go up the stairs at the back of the island, you will find the main shrine, which is said to bring blessings for good harvests, safe childbirth, and success in love. If you wish to receive a handwriting goshuin stamp, you must make a reservation in advance. Be sure to check with the chief priest as you may not be able to receive it depending on his/her circumstances.

A gigantic basalt rock (a type of volcanic rock) about 45 meters high stands at the tip of the Kurosaki Peninsula on the western tip of the island. It was named "Saruiwa" because of its resemblance to the profile of a monkey, which has been carved by the sea and wind and rain over many years. The contrast with the deep blue sea in the background is beautiful, and it is praised as Iki Island's number one tourist attraction. According to the legend that remains on the island, this gigantic rock is said to be one of the eight stakes that were driven into the island to stop the movement of "Ikishima (Iki Island, which was said to have been a moving island)."
In the Saruiwa parking lot, there is a souvenir shop called "Osaru no Kagoya" that sells Iki specialties.

The beach stretches for approximately 600 meters with fine white sand. The water is so clear that it has been certified as one of Japan’s "Best Beaches 100" and "Top 100 Scenic Beaches". In the summer, a beach hut is set up on the beach, and you can enjoy popular activities such as marine jets and banana boats. There are also plenty of services such as selling snacks and drinks, and renting umbrellas and floats. In winter (late October to late February), you can see the beautiful sunrise rising from the horizon. A must-see if you visit in winter.

Six Jizo statues are enshrined under the sea in Hachimanura, and are submerged up to their chests in the sea at high tide. It is said that they were given this name because they have holes in their stomachs (called "harahoge" in the local dialect). Six Jizo are said to be six types of Jizo that save the suffering of sentient beings in the six realms (hell, hungry ghosts, beasts, asuras, humans, and heaven), but it is unclear when, by whom, and under what circumstances they were created. There are various theories, such as to pray for the souls of the ama divers who lost their lives, to console the spirits of captured whales, and to pray for the exodus of epidemics. It is popular among young tourists who find it "a bit surreal and cute."

If you're going to the morning market, you'll definitely want to stop by this confectionery shop. When you ask local residents what they recommend as souvenirs, one thing that always comes up is sweets made from sponge cake dough made here. In addition to "Kasumaki" traditional Iki confectionery made with bean paste wrapped in sponge cake dough, "Alps" (seasonal product, from December to early May) a sponge cake with fresh cream and custard in the middle, is also delicious. Some people say that Alps is the best "orthodox castella" in Nagasaki. All of them are sold out quickly, so it is difficult for even locals to obtain them. If you want to get your hands on some legendary sweets, the best time to get them is early in the morning.

The products lined up in the store are mainly vegetables and fruits from Iki, carefully selected by the owner himself. "Shimojo Fruits Store" is a shop that is trusted by locals as a store that sells truly delicious and fresh products, and is located on Asaichi Street.
As a way to attract people to Katsumoto, they started selling homemade jams made from seasonal fruits and vegetables, which spread through word of mouth and have now become a standard souvenir of Iki Island. It is also delicious!
Some tourists visit Katsumoto looking for jam that can only be found here and asking, "Where is Jam-nii-san's store?" Approximately 40 types of jam are made each year, and they are made with seasonal ingredients, so you can look forward to seeing what they have in store.

Iki is the "birthplace of barley shochu," which boasts a history of 500 years. If you make the trip to the island, be sure to try Japan's world-class "Iki Shochu." It is characterized by a deep flavor with the aroma of barley and the soft sweetness of rice malt.
It is said that during the Meiji period, there were 55 Iki shochu distilleries, which were nurtured in a rich natural environment with a warm climate, abundant groundwater, and large arable land. Later, the Liquor Tax Law was revised and a licensing system was introduced, prohibiting households from making shochu. Currently, there are seven shochu distilleries in Iki. Each distillery pursues its own individuality and deliciousness while adhering to traditional manufacturing methods.
This time we will introduce one of them, "Ikinokura Distillery." In 1984, six historic sake distilleries collaborated with the aim of "improving the quality of Iki shochu" and "promoting Iki shochu to the whole country." They are the strongest team of shochu craftsman team, combining the 300 years of traditional techniques.

The representative brand, which can be said to be the culmination of techniques inherited from six distilleries, is "Ikinoshima." The exquisite balance of fragrant barley aroma and subtle sweetness, and the clean taste reduced-pressure distillation, are said to go well with any kind of cuisine.
"Ikikko" is also popular as a souvenir for women, as it has a fruity taste, a gentle texture, and is refreshingly easy to drink. The label drawn by world-renowned illustrator Shusei Nagaoka is also eye-catching.
There are a wide variety of shochu available, each with a different flavor. At the sales office "IKINOKU・LABO'' a shop attached to the distillery, you can sample all the brands, and you can try the one you are interested in before purchasing. Even if you don't like shochu, give it a try. We also have fruity ones and mild shochu with low alcohol content. If you tell the staff your taste preferences, they will give you their recommendations.
You can also take a distillery tour (factory tour) to learn about the history and manufacturing process of Iki shochu. If you would like to participate, please call to make an appointment.

Have you heard of Moringa, a superfood that has been attracting attention around the world in recent years? Moringa is a plant known as the "miracle tree" or "tree of life" that contains 90 types of nutrients, and is a versatile food that is said to relieve hunger. It is said to have over 300 medicinal properties in the traditional medicine Ayurveda, and has been widely used since BC. Moringa has been thought that it is a plant that is often harvested in Central Asia. It has become a secret topic that there is a place in Iki, which has warm and rich soil, that grows and processes high-quality moringa.
I heard such rumors and visited Iki Umikaze Farm. There is one private house in a large field. If you arrive aiming for a building that looks like a shop, you may be worried that you may have taken the wrong direction, but don't worry. The owner, Mrs. Matsumoto, kindly welcomes customers. Here, you can not only purchase products made from moringa, but also get a tour of the cultivation process and learn in detail about the benefits of moringa and how to use it.

Mrs. Matsumoto, who originally lived in another land, moved to the island and started "Umikaze Farm" in 2015. Apparently, she did this after he was 75 years old. "It's been about 20 years since I discovered moringa, and I haven't needed a doctor and never caught a cold since then. Thanks to that, I'm healthy even though I'm over 80 years old. (laughs)'' She certainly has a nice complexion, is physically strong enough to work in the fields herself, and has a good posture. When asked why the Moringa from Iki that is grown here is said to be of high quality, the answer is "It is a safe and secure food that uses enzyme cultivation techniques and does not use pesticides or additives. The island's soil is rich in iron and minerals. The moringa grown in the gentle island breeze and plenty of sunlight is highly nutritious. "To prevent quality deterioration and discoloration, we dry the leaves within nine hours of harvesting before crushing it," says Mrs. Matsumoto.
Moringa, which eliminates toxins accumulated in the body and makes you beautiful from the inside out, is processed and sold as powder, distilled water, raw enzymes, candies, noodles, etc. If you are concerned about health and beauty, give it a try.

Iki Island is an island with delicious food, abundant scenic spots, more than 1,000 shrines, many power spots, and a long history. Iki Island is so small that you can walk around it in just two hours, but if you're visiting Iki Island, which offers a wide variety of ways to enjoy your trip, we recommend staying for three days and two nights. The easiest way to get around the island is by renting a car, but you can also use buses, taxis, and rental bicycles.
We recommend a food-centered island tour that covers all of Iki Island's delicious seafood, beef, and shochu, as well as seeing scenic spots in the area and experiencing one of Japan's best hot springs.There are many other plans to enjoy Iki Island! It is a place called the Island of the Gods, and you can also go on a trip to visit power spots or visit shrines with your goshuin book. If you're traveling in the summer, we recommend hopping along beautiful beaches. If you're a history buff, it's fun to explore the ruins and ancient tombs from the Yayoi period. During the season of sea urchins from spring to autumn, it is also a great plan to eat sea urchins while walking. It's wonderful to just relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. With so many variations to travel to Iki, it's a great idea to go without a plan and let your curiosity take you. I hope that by introducing Iki this time, you will learn that there is such a wonderful place on a remote island in Japan.

In addition to souvenir shops in the city and around the port, you can also purchase souvenirs at the Iki product corners of hotels and supermarkets. There is also a souvenir shop inside the ferry terminal, so it's convenient to buy some while waiting for your return boat.
Popular souvenirs include luxurious bottled raw sea urchin, dried horse mackerel, Japanese flying squid, seaweed such as sea lettuce, salt, and other marine products. Among the sweets, there is "Kasumaki", a traditional Iki sweets made of bean paste wrapped in sponge cake. For alcohol lovers, try Iki shochu. We also recommend the "Shimojo Fruits Store Jam", which can only be purchased at the Katsuura shopping district.