ChiburijimaChiburijima at a Glance
About Chiburijima
Chiburijima is an inhabited island in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, forming part of the Oki Islands group. It is one of the inhabited outer islands of the prefecture and supports small fishing and local communities.
The island offers coastal scenery, village settlements and local ferry connections that link it with other Oki Islands and the Shimane main islands. Visitors use the island as a base for walking, coastal viewpoints and experiencing island village life.
Settlement on the island has long been tied to fishing and small-scale agriculture; transport and services have developed to maintain year-round habitation. The island remains sparsely populated compared with Honshu and retains a rural maritime economy.
Chiburijima sits in the Sea of Japan off the coast of Shimane Prefecture, within the Oki Islands chain. Access is by ferry or regional passenger vessel from ports on the Shimane coast.
- Archipelago administration: Part of the Oki archipelago in the Sea of Japan and administered from Shimane Prefecture.
Best Time to Visit Chiburijima
Best in summer for swimming and boat activities; spring and autumn offer pleasant hiking weather.
Weather & Climate near Chiburijima
Chiburijima's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 1°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1634 mm/year), wettest in September.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 8° | 1° | 156 mm | overcast | 74% | 4.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.8h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 8° | 1° | 124 mm | overcast | 73% | 3.9 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 107 mm | overcast | 73% | 3.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 7° - 16° | 12° | 100 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.0h |
| May | Good | 12° - 20° | 16° | 103 mm | overcast | 83% | 3.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| June | Good | 16° - 23° | 20° | 158 mm | overcast | 86% | 3.0 m/s | 1.5 very high | 14.5h |
| July | Good | 21° - 27° | 24° | 180 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.2h |
| August | Very Good | 22° - 29° | 26° | 122 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.3 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.4h |
| September | Good | 18° - 25° | 22° | 198 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.2 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | 12° - 20° | 16° | 122 mm | overcast | 72% | 3.3 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.1h |
| November | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 12° | 131 mm | overcast | 72% | 3.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.1h |
| December | Poor | 4° - 11° | 5° | 133 mm | overcast | 74% | 3.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.6h |
How to Get to Chiburijima
Regular ferries and fast ferries operate between Chiburijima and ports on the main islands such as Saigo on Dōgo and Sakaiminato on Honshū; schedules vary seasonally. The island is also reachable via connecting flights to nearby Oki Airport with onward local transport.
Tips for Visiting Chiburijima
- Check the small local ferry schedule in advance - crossings from the Oki Islands' main ports can be limited.
- Bring cash; island shops and guesthouses often accept only cash.
- Hike to the island's viewpoints at sunrise for the best light and quieter trails.