Mt. Akahage
There is probably no better place on the Dōzen Islands where you can capture all four inhabited islands within one frame. Mt. Akahage is not merely the highest peak of Chiburjima Island, but it is also part of the outer rim of the Dōzen Caldera; standing here, you can imagine the size of the volcano that created the landscape.
Due to land scarcity, rotation farming was performed on the mountain. Parts of the stone walls that once marked the boundaries of the fields still stand on Mt. Akahage, showcasing the perseverance of the locals in creating a self-sufficient environment.
On the narrow road leading up to the summit, you can see the red soil peeking out under the thin layer of green grass covering the mountain. In spring, wild radish flowers add to the scenery.
A friendly reminder: Mt. Akahage Lookout is located inside a pasture, and curious cows sometimes gather near the fence to check you out. Although they look cute and seem harmless, please don’t get too close to the cows or feed them.
Sekiheki (Red Cliff)
There are many cliffs on the Oki Islands, and none are the same. As its name suggests in Japanese, Sekiheki truly is a “red wall”. Atop the cliff is a small observation area; you can see the base of the cliff there*.
On a fine day, the vivid colours of the green grass and crimson clay shrines strikingly against the blue sea, topped by sun sparkles. But the sunset hour is when the magic happens. The setting sun lights up the 1km long Sekiheki and the view is simply hypnotising.
*The cliff edge is not fenced. For your safety, please don’t get too close to the edge and keep a close eye on any minors accompanying you.
Uguigasaki Cape Lookout
Uguigasaki Cape is the north-western tip of Chiburijima Island. From there, it looks like you can just jump across to the most south-western tip of Nishinoshima Island.
*Uguisaki Cape is inside a pasture. Please exercise caution while visiting the area.
How To Get There
By Boat
If the weather permits, the sightseeing boat of Chibu goes around the island, presenting to you an opportunity to get a good view of all the tips and dents along the coast. It is a year-round chartered cruise, and there is an option to hire a guide* to enhance your experience. You also get to choose the departure time between 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm! The cruise will start at Kurii Port, so you can join right after arriving on the island.
Although this way you will not be able to get to the peak of Mt. Akahage, visiting Sekiheki by boat is unforgettable!
*The cruise guides are given in French, Portuguese, and English.
By E-bike
Compared to the other larger islands, Chibu is very hilly. Renting a powerful E-bike will surely give you a hand up the slopes of Mt. Akahage, or over the hill to Shimazushima Island.
The E-bikes are very powerful and best suited for those at least 157cm tall. Prior booking is also highly recommended as the number of bikes is limited.
If you want to make a trip around the island on an e-bike see our sample itinerary to check the possible timeline and other tips.
By Rental Car
If you prefer driving, there are also a few cars for hire. All rental cars are kei cars (compact cars), which means only 4 people (driver included) can ride in it. Renting a car for your group of two to four is simply perfect, as you can get from Kurii Port to the top of Mt. Akahage in no time!
A lot of the roads on Chiburijima Island are quite narrow and are one-lane roads. Also, the roads going through pasture areas can be covered in animal manure. Please exercise extra caution when driving. If you come upon cattle resting in the middle of the road, approach slowly and wait for the cattle to move. Do not sound the horn, as some cattle owners use that signal to call their cattle, and you might find yourself at the centre of a hungry herd surrounded by even more animals. Open the window and pat the outside of the car instead.
By Sightseeing Taxi
If you are only planning to spend half a day in Chibu and would like to go to Mt. Akahage and Sekiheki without driving or getting on a bicycle, the sightseeing taxi is the best option. The 90-minute sightseeing taxi tour starts and ends at Kurii Port, and participants get to choose the departure time between 8:30 and 17:00.
Depending on your group size, there are different vehicles to choose from (price per vehicle):
Kei car (max. 3 pax): JPY 7,500
Standard-sized car (max. 6 pax.): JPY 9,000
Standard-sized car (max. 9 pax.): JPY 12,000
Minibus (max. 20 pax.): JPY 18,000
The sightseeing taxi tour is conducted in Japanese only. But you can hire a guide (at an additional price) for tours in English, French and Portuguese.
By Local Bus
The local bus runs mainly in the morning, connecting the locals to the ferries departing from Kurii Port. The service is very limited, but it is still possible to use the bus to give you a lift to the downtown area of Chibu. Please take note that the local bus will not take you to Mt. Akahage or Sekiheki (Red Cliff), and a substantial amount of walking will be required. The bus operates on a flat rate and for a one-way trip, it is JPY 100 per adult.
Check our this sample itinerary which brings you to Mt. Akahage by bus and on foot.
On Foot
With Chiburjijima Island’s size, visiting sightseeing spots on foot is doable. If you are an avid walker, or looking for an alternative workout for your leg day, walk around Chibu! You can start from Kurii Port and go around the western side of the island – Uguigasaki Cape, the lookout on Mt. Akahage, Sekiheki, and return to Kurii Port by going through the downtown area. This route will take around 5 hours to complete. The roundtrip from Kurii Port to Mt. Akahage and Sekiheki also takes around 5–6 hours.
For details of such a trip refer to Outdoor Pocket Guide, pages 10–11.
Since restaurants, vending machines, and the grocery shop are located in the downtown area, it might be a good idea to bring sufficient water and snacks with you if you are planning to conquer the island on foot. The toilets are available in the port area, in Nagao Woodhouse (a rest facility) and on top of Mt. Akahage, so please plan accordingly.
Here are some articles and sample itineraries that feature Chiburijima Island:
Explore Oki Islands’ rich history and nature (2 nights/3 days)
Island Hopping in the Oki Islands
Cycling Through Chiburijima Island in One Day
Where to eat on Chiburijima Island? Read to find out how to eat like a local on this small island!
Dōzen Islands Adventure (2 nights / 3 days)
Explore with a guide
Going around the small island at your own pace is an enjoyable experience, but discovering the secrets of the village with a local guide, especially the Chibu-based guides, will enhance the experience!
See this article to get to know a local guide, David, who can ensure you leave Chiburijima Island with a wealth of local knowledge!
Author: Cleo Wong