Winter in the Oki Islands: Places to Go and Things to Know

During winter, it can sometimes be bitterly cold and windy on the islands. However, on calm and bright days, it can be extremely enjoyable outside (and inside)! If you don’t have all the winter gears, but would still like to go on a short hike with (maybe) some snow, come visit us! Explore the islands with a geopark guide; you can check out the (maybe) snow-covered geosites, with the company and guiding provided by our professional and skillful experts. Winter is an enjoyable season to hike in the forest as it will not be too hot and hikers are protected from the wind by the towering trees.

Every year on the morning of 15 January, “Tondo-yaki” is held in Imazu area of Okinoshima Town. It is a ceremonial burning of old New Year’s ornaments, talismans and the sacred bamboo stalks to pray for sound health and good harvest. The bamboo stalks will be set aflame and after it’s fallen into the sea, enthusiastic local heroes in their traditional clothing – fundoshi loincloth – will then dive into the winter sea, disassemble the “yagura”, and retrieve the bamboo! The lucky person who gets the bamboo puts it in front of their house for the year.

Held annually in early February in Goka area of Okinoshima Town, this is originally a ceremony to pray for good harvest in spring and give thanks in autumn. Now, the event is only held in early spring. There will be a ceremonial arrow shooting, where the archers, including local residents and a shinto priest, shoot arrows at targets with pictures of a crow and a mouse. This event is an intangible folk cultural property of Okinoshima Town.

This practice is unique to Urumi area of Chibu Village. The roots of this ancient religious practice are from the folk belief in Somin Shōrai. The words “Somin-shōrai-massha-shōjin” are written on a narrow willow branch, and ceremonies are conducted at an altar by a Shinto priest. The stakes are then placed in seven places near the entrances to the area, to prevent illness and evil spirits from entering. Keep an eye out for the narrow branches when you are walking around Urumi area!
This practice is an intangible folk cultural property of Chibu Village.

If you are visiting Oki, especially Okinoshima Town during winter, and if you really enjoy Japanese snow crabs, you’re in luck! In the San’in region, snow crabs are called “Matsuba-gani” and Oki Matsuba-gani (Oki Snow Crab) is a brand of crab carefully selected from snow crabs caught using baskets, a crabbing method which is rare in Japan. Crabs that weigh over 700g are tagged with a blue tag; a proof of the brand.

Crab fishing is only carried out in Okinoshima Town, and Dōgo Island is the only island in Oki where you can enjoy Oki Snow Crab. If you are planning to visit the islands during winter (December – February), make sure to include this mouthwatering local delicacy in your itinerary!

Winter nights can feel quite long, as the sun sets at around 4:50p.m. to 5:30p.m. during the season and there aren’t many street lamps on the islands. The average temperature in December is 7.1℃ but it drops to 4.2℃ in January and lingers at 4.3℃ throughout February. Therefore, visitors are strongly advised to bring more layers than you think you’ll need. Beanies, cowls or scarves, gloves, sunglasses and windbreakers are must-haves. If you have thick, woolly socks, bring them too!

Other than snow and sleet, wind and waves are also something to keep in mind. The strong north-westerly winter winds from the continent not only shape the coast of the islands (if you have not realised, a lot of our remarkable geosites along the shores face the north or the west!), but also bring rough waves. This is also the reason why the sightseeing boats are not in operation during winter, and sometimes even the ferries get cancelled! Cancellation of ferry crossings is not abnormal in winter and the locals are very used to it. However, if you are an international visitor visiting from abroad, please leave a margin when planning your trip to the islands. Insert a day or two between your visit to the Oki Islands and your flight out of Japan.

Prior to your visit to Oki or during your trip on the islands, don’t forget to check the weather and wave forecast constantly! If your scheduled ferry crossing got cancelled due to severe weather, contact the accommodation facilities that you have booked or seek assistance from the tourism association offices.

Just like other towns and villages in rural Japan, a lot of the roads on the islands are extremely narrow. Sometimes a lane can look like a one-lane road, when it is actually a single carriageway with two lanes. Driving on these narrow roads requires extreme caution even on a sunny and dry day; not to mention on snowy days or when the roads are icy. Sometimes even when the snow has melted, the roads are still icy and slippery. No matter if you are visiting from snowy regions or from the tropics, if you are planning to explore the snow-covered islands by car, please always be aware of your surroundings, and drive slowly. When in doubt, change your plans and hire a sightseeing taxi instead!