Overview
Oitsukami-jima is an uninhabited island belonging to Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, floating in the sea about five kilometers south of Hiburi Island. Its waters are known as rich fishing grounds, and above all it has drawn many anglers as a celebrated spot for rock fishing. Surrounded by the blue of the Uwa Sea, the small island carries a distinctive presence where the stillness left after people departed meets the abundance of the sea.
Highlights
- ●The quiet scenery of an uninhabited island in the Uwa Sea
- ●Rich fishing grounds renowned for rock fishing
- ●A history as a sardine fishing ground in the feudal era
- ●Memories of island life that ended when it emptied in 1965
History
In the feudal era it was developed as a sardine fishing ground of Hiburi within the Uwajima domain, and old records suggest fishing folk lived here as far back as medieval times. In 1947, returnees from Hiburi Island settled here but suffered from typhoons and field mice. The 1960 census recorded a population of 65, yet by 1965 every resident had left, and the island has been uninhabited ever since. It is an island marked by the history of people arriving and then departing.
Access
The island lies offshore of Uwajima, around latitude 33.11 and longitude 132.33, about five kilometers south of inhabited Hiburi Island. There is no scheduled service; access is mainly by chartered or angler-oriented boats. As an uninhabited island, landing and activities nearby require careful planning and safety measures. Since boat operations and arrangements may change, please confirm through official information or local boat operators.
Best season
Spring through autumn, when the sea is calm and suited to fishing, is the easiest time to visit. Rock fishing peaks vary by species, so choose your timing to match your target. Summer brings the most vivid blue seas, but as typhoons approach the waters grow rough and crossings become difficult, making weather and sea checks essential.
Map
33.1056, 132.3267 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Arrange a charter or angler boat near Uwajima or Hiburi Island
- 2Head south across the Uwa Sea to Oitsukami-jima
- 3Enjoy rock fishing and the quiet nature of the empty island
- 4Return to the mainland while watching the sea conditions
Did you know?
💡 That an island once home to 65 people became uninhabited within just a few years reflects the harsh island life brought by typhoons and field mice. Still welcoming anglers to its fine fishing grounds today, Oitsukami-jima quietly tells of the raw power of the Uwa Sea's nature.
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