Regional Focus: Niihama

Nii Ōshima is an island just off the coast from Niihama. It has a circumference of about 9.8 km kilometers and a population of about 200 people, half of whom are over 70. The main industries of the island are shrimp aquaculture, production of tangerines, and a unique white sweet potato which is used for making shōchū spirit. A car ferry leaves from Kuroshima Port in Niihama City. There’s about one per hour, and the price is 120 yen for a round trip. It takes 15 minutes to get to the island. The ferry docks in a small town on the southern shore. There’s no public transport on the island, but roads go around the island, and you can hire bicycles.

The town consists mostly of traditional Japanese buildings, including several attractive temples. To the west of the town is the site of a castle, said to have been built by the Murakami maritime clan in the Middle Ages. There are no shops or restaurants on the island, but you can buy delicious Swiss-style bread at Jack’s Bakery.