Toshijima tourist guide: Introducing directions, lunch, and day trips

Article production / Mie Travel Ambassador Fugamaru-chan

▼Table of contents

• What is Toshijima?
• How to get to Toshijima
  • Where is the parking lot?
  • Directions from Toba Marine Terminal
  • About regular ship fares and timetables
• Toshijima day trip course
  • Toba Marine Terminal (liner ferry terminal) 9:00 ~
  • Wagu Port (liner ferry terminal) 9:18 ~
  • Wagu Sunshine Beach 10:00 ~
  • Tenbozan Rayfield 11:00 ~
  • Alley in Toshicho 12:00~
  • Lunch at Maruto Shokudo 12:30~
  • Yawatabashi 13:00 ~
  • Around Toshi Port 13:30 ~
  • Toshijima Blue Field 13:50 ~
  • Daitoshi ShirahamaBeach 14:00 ~
  • Toshi Port Regular ferry terminal 16:00 ~
• Experience tours to enjoy on Toshi Island

What is Toshijima?

Toshijima is one of the largest inhabited islands in Mie Prefecture, floating approximately 2.5 kilometers northeast of Toba Port.

There are many scenic spots on the island that are unique to a remote island, such as observation decks that overlook Toba Bay and beaches with outstanding transparency.

Furthermore, there are many other attractions such as restaurants and inns where you can enjoy local seafood, and the retro townscape of the fishing village.

It's a 20-minute boat trip each way from Toba Port via a regular boat, so you can easily enjoy touring the remote islands.

In this article, we will introduce a model one-day itinerary where you can fully enjoy the charms of Toshijima.

How to get to Toshijima

The only means of transportation to Toshijima is the TobaCity Liner, and the ferry terminals departing from TobaCity are as follows.

🛳Toba Marine Terminal (Sadahama) *Opens Google Maps
​🛳Nakanogo *Google Maps will open

Both are within walking distance from the Kinki Michi-no-eki, and in this article we will introduce Toba Marine Terminal, which is the closest to Toba Station.

Where is the parking lot?

TobaCity liners cannot carry cars, so if you are coming by car, please use the paid parking lots around Toba Port.

There are two parking lots that are a few minutes walk from Toba Marine Terminal:

​🚗Sadahama Parking Lot 1 (Opens Google Maps)
​🚗Sadahama Parking Lot 3 (Opens Google Maps)

The fees for this parking lot are as follows.

First hour: Free
From 1 hour to 2 hours: 500 yen
From 2 hours to 5 hours: 300 yen per hour
Over 5 hours: 100 yen per hour
Maximum charge for 24 hours: 2,000 yen

If you are staying at an inn that is a member of a remote island, you can receive a service coupon that allows you to park for free at Sadahama Parking Lot 1 for 24 hours at the time of your stay, which is a good deal.

Directions from Toba Marine Terminal

Toba Marine Terminal (Sadahama) is about a 15-minute walk from Toba Station.

From here, you can take the TobaCity liner to get to Toshijima, but there are three destinations to Toshijima.

🛳 To Toshi via Wagu → Arrive at Wagu Port
🛳 To Toshi → Arrive at Toshi Port
🛳 To Momotori → Arrive at Momotori Port

*For ships bound for Toshi via Wagu, some ships may arrive directly at Wagu/Toshi depending on the departure time.

No matter where you go, you will arrive at a port on Toshijima, but each port is located far away. (The map of Toshijima will be introduced in a later chapter)

Therefore, it is best to check in advance which ports are closest to your destination on the island.

The day trip course introduced in this article involves boarding a boat bound for Wagu from Toba Marine Terminal, and boarding a boat bound for Toba from Toshi Port on the way back.

About regular ship fares and timetables

Fares to Toshijima are as follows.

[Momotori] Adults 450 yen Children 230 yen
[Toshi/Japanese style utensils] Adults 550 yen Children 280 yen

You can check the timetable and operation information for the TobaCity City Liner on the TobaCity Liner's official website.

If you wish to check flight information over the phone, please call 0599-25-4776 (TobaCity Liner Ship Division).

Please see the article below for information on how to purchase tickets at Toba Marine Terminal.

Toba Marine Terminal usage guide. Explanation of parking lot, timetable, fees, etc.

Toshijima day trip course

Introducing a day trip course where you can enjoy delicious gourmet food while touring Toshijima's spectacular scenery and retro townscape!

It takes about 7 hours and is a recommended sightseeing plan for those who want to spend a day on Toshi Island.

*The ship schedule is as of September 2023. For the latest timetable, please visit the official website of TobaCity Liner​

Toba Marine Terminal (liner ferry terminal) ⏰ 9:00

Board the boat bound for Wagu departing from Toba Marine Terminal at 9:00!

There are no advance tickets available, so please purchase your boarding ticket at the ticket office inside the terminal 10 minutes before boarding.

Toba Marine Terminal is about a 10-minute walk from JR/Kintetsu Toba Station, making it easily accessible via train.

Wagu Port (liner ferry terminal) ⏰ 9:18

It takes about 18 minutes by boat from Toba Marine Terminal to arrive at Wagu Port on Toshi Island.

On the way back, you will board the Toba-bound boat from Toshi Port at 16:10 instead of Wagu Port, so you should be at Toshi Port by 16:00.

As you exit the regular ferry terminal, you will see a sign that says ``Welcome to Toshi Island.''

This signboard has a map of the area around Wagu Port, so first check your current location.

This is a convenient map that shows the locations of tourist attractions, inns, and restrooms on the island.

There are separate public toilets for men and women at the liner waiting area nearby, so it's best to relieve yourself first. (There are also toilets on board)

There are also public restrooms on the island at Daitoshi ShirahamaBeach and Tsubaki Park.

First, let's take a walk around Wagu Port.

If you look along the embankment, you will see many fishing boats moored, giving you a unique atmosphere of a fishing town.

Near the anchored fishing boats, workers were sorting out the catch caught in the nets.

If you visit Wagu Port between 7:00 and 9:00, you may be able to see a scene like this.

The basket containing the prey was immediately transported to a nearby market, so I decided to stop by the market as well.

When you look into the baskets at the market, you'll see plenty of freshly caught spiny lobsters!

I visited in late September, just after the Ise lobster fishing season had opened.

Each basket contained lobsters categorized by size.

Auctions are also held at this market, and many Ise lobsters are bought on the spot.

The spiny lobsters caught here are shipped to inns and restaurants in TobaCity, as well as all over the country.

When I left the market, I saw a light truck carrying a large amount of thick rope.

When I asked him what he was doing, he told me that he was preparing for seaweed fishing.

Toshijima is also a popular area for seaweed fishing, and late September seems to be the time to prepare the fishing equipment.

The above photo was taken at Wagu Port in late April, and the baskets were filled with freshly landed wakame seaweed.

February to April is the peak season for seaweed fishing, so if you want to see this sight, please visit during that time.

I think one of Toshijima's charms is that the scenery you see at the port changes depending on the season.

Wagu Sunshine Beach ⏰ 10:00 ~

A few minutes walk from Wagu Port is Wagu Sunshine Beach, a beach with outstanding transparency.

The sea season is from July to September, and there are even free changing rooms and toilets.

There is a children's pool here, and the shallow shore has calm waves, making it an easy place for families with children to swim.

There are many large palm trees around the pool, giving it a tropical feel.

There is also a bench where you can see the sea, so it's nice to sit here and take a break or eat your lunch.

Tenbozan Rayfield ⏰ 11:00 ~

When you come to Toshijima, a scenic spot that you must visit is ``Tembozan Ray Field.''

The observation deck offers a panoramic view of Toba Bay and Toshijima's natural beauty, and the sight of the ocean and blue sky is sure to impress.

This place can be reached by passing through the Toshijima Skyline, a road that connects Wagu Port to Momotori Port.

There are gentle slopes along the way, and it's about a 30-minute walk from Wagu Port to Mt. Tenbo Rayfield, so it's a scenic spot that you can enjoy as if you were hiking.

Please note that there are some areas where the footing leading to the observation deck may be unstable, so it is best to wear sneakers or other comfortable shoes.

Alley of Toshicho ⏰ 12:00～

For those who want to stroll around the retro townscape, we recommend the area around Toshi Port.

Walk from Tenbozan Rayfield towards Toshiko and enter the alleys of the residential area.

The narrow alleyways are filled with scenes that give you a sense of everyday life, giving you a nostalgic feeling.

As you stroll through the alleys, you'll see wheelbarrows everywhere.

This is called a ``Jinjiro Car'' and is used as a tool to carry cargo through narrow alleys where cars cannot enter.

It seems that they are custom-made items that are made one by one by a blacksmith for each household, and when you look closely, you can see that they are all different in shape and size.

Another thing you can see in residential areas on the island is the "Maruhachi" mark, which is written on the walls and windows of houses as well as on ships.

This mark is the emblem of Hachiman Shrine on Toshijima Island, and has the meaning of praying for a good catch and the safety of one's family.

It is often drawn in ink used during the ``Kami Matsuri'' festival at Hachiman Shrine, and is one of the customs that has been rooted in the island since ancient times.

The sight of restaurants tucked away in the back alleys is a sight unique to Toshijima.

This restaurant is called "Ronku Shokudo" and is so popular that even celebrities and famous people visit it!

This is a restaurant where you can enjoy home-cooked dishes prepared by the staff, who are also local divers, and some dishes use local seafood.

Business hours are from 11:00, and there are no fixed holidays, so please call in advance (0599-37-2167) to ensure a smooth visit.

Lunch at Maruto Shokudo ⏰ 12:30 ~

Maruto Shokudo is a restaurant located just outside the regular ferry terminal in Toshi Port, and serves rice bowls, noodles, and set meals.

It is also known as a restaurant where you can enjoy Ise-Udon made with Toshijima's specialties, ``Mekabu'' and ``Wakame.''

This is "Mekabu Udon ¥650", which is filled with plenty of "Mekabu" so that it covers the noodles.

*Miso soup with mekabu ¥220 is ordered separately.

The beautiful green ``mekabu'' is thick and crunchy, making it irresistibly delicious!

The sauce on the udon wasn't too thick, and the flavor of the mekabu and the soup stock were a perfect match 🎵

The reason why mekabu from Toshijima is so thick and delicious is because it is grown in a nutrient-rich ocean environment.

Toshijima's sea is blessed with clean water from the mountains and the Kuroshio Current, and the fast currents make it a nutrient-rich environment.

Therefore, all the seafood produced in Toshijima, such as mekabu, wakame, seaweed, oysters, and whitebait, are well-grown and have a reputation for being delicious.

If you want to taste delicious mekabu and wakame from Toshijima, be sure to visit Maruto Shokudo.

*The photo above is “Wakame Udon ¥600”

Business hours are from 11:00 to 19:00, with irregular holidays.

We believe that your visit will go more smoothly if you contact us by phone (0599-37-2058) before visiting.

Yawatabashi ⏰ 13:00 ~

Yawata Bridge, which hangs over Hachiman Shrine, is a spot where you can see the beautiful ocean from the bridge.

It is a beautiful vermilion bridge, and when you look down at the sea from here, you can see a sparkling emerald green scene.

There is a fishing port in the area, so depending on the time of day you can see boats coming and going under the bridge many times.

It's about a 4-minute walk from Maruto Shokudo to Yawatabashi, so why not take a walk after your meal?

Around Toshi Port ⏰ 13:30 ~

There are many other attractive scenery and restaurants around Toshi Port.

As I was walking to my final destination, Daitoshi ShirahamaBeach, I came across a shocking view that I would like to introduce to you.

Please see the image above. Doesn't it look like the ship is floating in the air?

Because the sea is so transparent, the shadow of the ship is reflected on the ocean floor, creating an optical illusion.

The photo above was taken near AmaHut（Amagoya）next to Toshi Port.

This `` AmaHut（Amagoya）'' is also an attractive place where you can enjoy fresh seafood from Toshi Island grilled over charcoal.

You can also enjoy chatting with the islanders and ama divers around the hearth, so you can also enjoy interacting with the islanders.

To use AmaHut（Amagoya）, you must apply for the `` AmaHut（Amagoya）experience'' in advance, so please see the official website of ``Shima no Tabisha'' for more information.

For those who want to deepen their interaction with the islanders, we also recommend "Neyakoya" located near Wagu Port.

This is a social hub where everyone from children to the elderly can stop by, and was opened in April 2022 with the aim of making Toshijima's education more attractive and creating a place for the elderly to hang out.

There are also materials on Toshijima's ancient custom, the ``Neyagoya system,'' so you can learn about the island's culture.

For more information about Neyakoya, please visit the official website.

By the way, when I visited, the island's grandmothers were having a meeting around Neyakoya.

I was included in the conversation, and the moment filled with smiles warmed my heart.

As was the case at Wagu Port, the islanders were in a welcoming mood and asked, ``Where are you from?'' which made me happy.

Toshijima Blue Field ⏰ 13:50 ~

Following Tenbozan Rayfield, there is another wooden deck on Toshijima that overlooks the beautiful ocean.

That is "Toshijima Blue Field" located near Daitoshi ShirahamaBeach.

A blue wooden deck with the beauty of modern art is located along the sea, overlooking Kamishima and Cape Irago in the distance.

There are public toilets nearby, so it's a perfect place to take a break.

Daitoshi ShirahamaBeach ⏰ 14:00 ~

The final destination, Daitoshi ShirahamaBeach, is a beautiful beach with crystal clear water and white sand.

The sea is so beautiful that you can see the fish swimming with the naked eye, and you will be mesmerized by the sight of the emerald green glow.

There are promenades and benches near the coast, so you can take a walk or take a break while feeling the sea breeze.

There are free shower facilities in the restrooms near Toshijima Blue Field, so we recommend enjoying a swim here in the summer.

Toshi Port Regular ferry terminal ⏰ 16:00 ~

Board the Toba-bound boat at 4:10 p.m. from Toshi Port's regular ferry terminal and head home.

Tickets can be purchased at the liner waiting area next to the liner ferry terminal.

There are souvenir shops around Toshi Port, so we recommend enjoying shopping until the ship arrives.

In addition to seaweed and turnips from Toshijima, they also sell wakame seaweed and kamaage whitebait.

What did you think

We have introduced one-day sightseeing courses that allow you to fully enjoy the charms of Toshijima.

If you want to see a beautiful sunset on Toshijima, be sure to visit Momotori Port as well.

The new drama scheduled for October 2023, TBS Sunday Theater ``Gekokokujo Kyuji'', was filmed on location at Momotori Port, and the sunset scene shown in the photo above was aired.

I think you can enjoy a completely different atmosphere from the sunset seen from the mainland.

Also, watching the sunset from the beach "Sun Beach Momotori" near Momotori Port is a special experience.

This beach is also extremely transparent, so watching the sunset while looking out at the beautiful ocean is soothing.

Recommended times and routes to watch the sunset at Momotori Port are as follows.

[16:50] Board the regular boat bound for Momotori from Toba Marine Terminal (Sadahama)
[17:00 - 18:20] Watch the sunset at Sun Beach Momotori and Momotori Port
[18:30] Board the regular boat bound for Toba

*From Wagu Port to Momotori Port, you need to pass through the Toshijima Skyline, which takes about an hour or more on foot, so it is easier to travel by regular boat.

Experience tours to enjoy on Toshi Island

The `` AmaHut（Amagoya）'' introduced in this article is operated by Shima no Tabisha, a travel agency based on Toshi Island.

Shima no Tabisha also offers nature experiences and town tours that you can enjoy on Toshijima, so please visit the Shima no Tabisha official website for more information.

Yoshi Onii-san’s “Mie” favorite!

“Toshijima” was introduced in the episode broadcast on November 1, 2023♪
Yoshio-niisan, a former gymnast, covers all over Mie Prefecture and spreads the charm of Mie Prefecture as a reporter!
Be sure to tap the image below to watch the video!