Things to Do in Nishinoshima (西ノ島町), Shimane: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) in Shimane Prefecture (Chugoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Takuhi Yama (焼火山), Hoshinokami Shima (星神島), Nishino Shima (西ノ島) and served by Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal via the regional hub at Matsue Station & Izumoshi Station (JR Yakumo Limited Express). Set at 1 m elevation (36.1000°N, 133.0130°E), Nishinoshima offers travelers a base for sampling regional Izumo soba (dark aromatic buckwheat served in three-tiered warigo lacquer boxes), Lake Shinji shijimi clam soup, Shimane wagyu cuisine and exploring neighboring Ama (海士町) (7.9 km), Chibu (知夫村) (9.7 km), Okinoshima (隠岐の島町) (29.3 km), Sakaiminato (境港市) (66.1 km).

Nishinoshima (西ノ島町, Nishinoshima-chō) is a town located on the island of Nishinoshima, in Oki District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The total area was 55.98 km2 (22 mi2). Set across coastal plains and river valleys at 1 m elevation in Shimane Prefecture, Nishinoshima is anchored by local landmarks including Takuhi Yama (焼火山), Hoshinokami Shima (星神島), Nishino Shima (西ノ島) and connects to neighboring Ama, Chibu, Okinoshima via Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal. Within Shimane Prefecture, Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) serves as a town (町) in shimane prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Izumo Taisha (one of Japan's oldest and grandest Shinto shrines), original lakeside Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum of Art (Yasugi), UNESCO Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine (Oda), and Tsuwano.

What to See & Do in Nishinoshima (西ノ島町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) from Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal at 1 m elevation (36.1000°N, 133.0130°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Nishinoshima):

• Takuhi Yama (焼火山) — local sightseeing landmark near Nishinoshima (西ノ島町).
• Hoshinokami Shima (星神島) — local sightseeing landmark near Nishinoshima (西ノ島町).
• Nishino Shima (西ノ島) — local sightseeing landmark near Nishinoshima (西ノ島町).
• Futamata Shima (二股島) — local sightseeing landmark near Nishinoshima (西ノ島町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Nishinoshima: Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal (connecting to Matsue Station & Izumoshi Station (JR Yakumo Limited Express)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Nishinoshima

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) and Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal, consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Shimane Prefecture and Chugoku:

• Ama (海士町) — 7.9 km from Nishinoshima (Shimane Prefecture)
• Chibu (知夫村) — 9.7 km from Nishinoshima (Shimane Prefecture)
• Okinoshima (隠岐の島町) — 29.3 km from Nishinoshima (Shimane Prefecture)
• Sakaiminato (境港市) — 66.1 km from Nishinoshima (Tottori Prefecture)
• Matsue (松江市) — 70.3 km from Nishinoshima (Shimane Prefecture)

Getting to Nishinoshima & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) via Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal: 2h 40m from Okayama Station (after Sanyo Shinkansen) on the JR Yakumo Limited Express to Matsue and Izumo, or 1h 20m flight from Tokyo Haneda to Izumo Airport (IZO). From Matsue Station & Izumoshi Station (JR Yakumo Limited Express), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal to reach central Nishinoshima (36.1000°N, 133.0130°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal: JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Matsue with Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) and neighboring Ama, Chibu, Okinoshima. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Nishinoshima, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Nishinoshima between Matsue and Ama can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Nishinoshima: While Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal anchors public transit for Nishinoshima, picking up a rental car at Matsue Station & Izumoshi Station (JR Yakumo Limited Express) makes it easy to link Takuhi Yama (焼火山) and Hoshinokami Shima (星神島) with nearby Ama (海士町) (7.9 km), Chibu (知夫村) (9.7 km), Okinoshima (隠岐の島町) (29.3 km), Sakaiminato (境港市) (66.1 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) & Shimane

Dining near Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal and across Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) highlights the regional food culture of Shimane Prefecture and Chugoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Nishinoshima:

• Izumo soba (dark aromatic buckwheat served in three-tiered warigo lacquer boxes) — regional specialty enjoyed across Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) and Shimane Prefecture.
• Lake Shinji shijimi clam soup — regional specialty enjoyed across Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) and Shimane Prefecture.
• Shimane wagyu — regional specialty enjoyed across Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) and Shimane Prefecture.
• Matsue wagashi sweets & matcha — regional specialty enjoyed across Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) and Shimane Prefecture.

If you are dining in Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal.

Where to Stay in Nishinoshima (西ノ島町)

Visitors staying overnight in Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal, or base at major rail hubs in Matsue (Matsue Station & Izumoshi Station (JR Yakumo Limited Express)) or neighboring Ama, Chibu, Okinoshima for quick train access into Nishinoshima. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Nishinoshima & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Nishinoshima (西ノ島町, 1 m elevation at 36.1000°N, 133.0130°E): October–November (especially the lunar 10th month 'Kamiarizuki' when Japan's Shinto gods gather at Izumo Taisha); spring for Matsue Castle blossoms and Adachi Museum gardens.

Wider sightseeing across Shimane Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Takuhi Yama (焼火山) in Nishinoshima (西ノ島町) includes: Izumo Taisha (one of Japan's oldest and grandest Shinto shrines), original lakeside Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum of Art (Yasugi), UNESCO Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine (Oda), and Tsuwano.

Practical Travel Tips for Nishinoshima (西ノ島町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Nishinoshima: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Matsue Station & Izumoshi Station (JR Yakumo Limited Express) or Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal for local bus schedules to Takuhi Yama (焼火山) and walking maps of Nishinoshima (西ノ島町).
• Cash & ATMs in Nishinoshima: Convenience stores and major hotels around Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Takuhi Yama (焼火山) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Nishinoshima accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Nishinoshima: Around Oki Airport (29.7 km) & Island Ferry Terminal and neighboring Ama, Chibu, Okinoshima, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.