9. Ōmishima
The big draw of Omi-Shima is one of the oldest shrines in the country, Oyamazumi-jimga, dating back to the end of the Kamakura era (1192-1333). The interior of the island is hilly, but there is a decent 5km, mainly downhill, cycle track from Inokuchi, the ferry port closest to Ikuchi-jima, across the island from Miyaura.
10. Sadogashima
For centuries, the rugged, S-shaped island of Sadogashima was a place of exile for criminals and political undesirables; though even today it has a unique atmosphere born of its isolation and a distinct cultural heritage that encompasses haunting folk songs, nō theatre and puppetry, as well as the more recently established Kodo drummers.
It’s a deceptively large island, consisting of two parallel mountain chains linked by a fertile central plain that shelters most of Sado’s historical relics.
Find accommodation options to stay on Sadogashima island
11. Islands near Dōgashima
Just 5km up the road from Matsuzaki, is west Izu’s prime tourist trap, with hotels, souvenir shops and cafeterias catering to a steady stream of punters. The focus of all this activity is a collection of picturesque limestone outcrops lying serenely offshore.
You can admire these Japanese islands from various viewpoints around the bay or, better still, from one of the tour boats run by Dōgashima Marine which set off from a jetty in front of the main car park to putter around the bay or along the coast.