Oki Islands, Archipelago in Japan
The Oki Islands are an archipelago in the Sea of Japan, made up of around 180 islands, of which only four are inhabited: Dōgo, Nakanoshima, Nishinoshima, and Chiburijima. Dōgo is the largest of the four and home to most of the permanent residents.
For centuries, the Oki Islands served as a place of exile for high-ranking figures, including Emperor Go-Toba in the 13th century. Emperor Go-Daigo was also sent here but managed to escape, and he later regained control of Japan for a brief period.
The islands hold festivals tied to the seasons, featuring traditional sumo wrestling, folk songs, and shrine visits that locals take seriously. These gatherings are not staged for tourists but follow the natural calendar of the community.
Reaching the islands requires a ferry from the Japanese mainland, with departures from ports in Shimane and Tottori prefectures. Connections between the inhabited islands are available, but not all ferry services run year-round, so checking ahead is a good idea.
Off the coast of Dōgo Island, a small rock formation called Candle Island takes on the shape of a candle with a flame when the sun sets at just the right angle. This effect is easy to miss if you don't know when to look.
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