Kushinoshima Island

Kushinoshima is an island in the Tokara archipelago off Kagoshima, featuring three volcanic peaks with the highest summit reaching around 628 meters. The terrain spans approximately 13 square kilometers with steep slopes and green valleys that characterize the landscape.

The island was long under control of the Ryukyu Kingdom before passing to the Satsuma clan's administration. It became part of Toshima village in 1911 and has remained within Kagoshima's administrative structure since then.

The island is home to a small community that has maintained traditional ways of living for generations. Daily life here follows the natural rhythms of fishing and farming, shaping how people interact with their surroundings.

Getting to the island requires a ferry journey of about six hours from Kagoshima on established schedules. Visitors should prepare for a lengthy sea crossing and pack weather-appropriate clothing, as conditions can be changeable.

The island is home to a rare breed of cattle that has been raised here for centuries and exists in very few places today. These animals are deeply woven into island life and are a living connection to the past.