Aomi Island

The Aomi Island Nature Study Trail, also known as the "Memorial Road," is a walking trail where you can admire Aomi Island's strange rock formations, such as the Sixteen Arhats, the Disguise Procession, and the Elephant's Nose, while walking. The 1,900m promenade has explanatory boards about plant communities and scenic spots installed in various places, and you can choose to enjoy two walking courses: Course A, which is 1,200m long (about 40 minutes), and Course B, which is 700m long (about 20 minutes). Although the path is well-maintained, there are some steep slopes, so it's recommended to wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring your own drinks, as there are no vending machines or shops available.

One of the popular activities on Aomi Island is taking a sightseeing boat tour. Not only can you enjoy the beauty of the blue sea, but you can also admire the dynamic rock formations and the endless blue sky. You can get up close to the breathtaking scenery, such as the cliffs and rocks that took a long time to form. The course and fees for the day may vary depending on the sea conditions, so be sure to check the Aomi Island Sightseeing Boat's official website before visiting.

Aogashima Island is considered one of the best places in Japan to witness the remnants of a huge caldera volcano that existed approximately 90 million years ago, including magma pools at the bottom of the volcano and the products of intense magma activity. Approaching the strange rocks by sightseeing boat, you can see rocks that appear black, known as "roof pendants," which are trapped on top of white granite rocks that were penetrated by magma pools. You can also see rocks with a painting-like appearance created by two types of magma, white and black, that do not mix due to their different properties. This is a spot where you can experience geology.

Aohai Island is one of the top diving spots in Japan, and even beginners can enjoy it with peace of mind as you can enter the sea directly from the beach. Although it faces the Sea of Japan, the bay-like terrain and relatively calm currents in the shallow waters make it an easy environment for diving, and its stable high transparency is a feature. Especially on days when the south wind blows strongly, upwelling currents occur, causing a phenomenon in which the coastal seawater and deep-sea seawater in the offshore area are exchanged. As a result, deep-sea creatures stray into the coastal waters of Aohai Island, and cute underwater creatures can also be encountered. For this reason, photo divers who want to catch a glimpse of these rare creatures gather here, and diving courses have been set up to enjoy the blue underwater caves, attracting various divers.

"Senza Kitchen," which opened in 2018 as Nagato City's first road station, has a stylish atmosphere like an art museum. In addition to selling local agricultural and marine products, you can also enjoy seafood bowls made with fresh fish caught locally. There is also a tourist information center, where you can take mini-tours starting from here, sign up for volunteer guides, and rent bicycles, making it a great place to visit at the beginning of your trip!