Iki Island
Island Rural Nagasaki island with archaeological and beach sites
In Nagasaki Prefecture, Iki Island mixes sandy coves, fishing villages and archaeological sites from the Yayoi period; visitors travel for beaches, fresh seafood and coastal walks.
Iki Island (Iki-shima) is an island in Nagasaki Prefecture in southwestern Japan, located in the waters between Kyushu and Tsushima in the Genkai Sea. It is administered as Iki City and combines coastal settlements with rural interior landscapes.
The island’s attractions are coastal scenery, beaches, and local fishing harbours; it is also known for archaeological sites and traditional festivals. Travel to the island is by ferry or short domestic flight from mainland Kyushu, and visitors use local roads to reach beaches and small villages.
Iki has a long human presence with archaeological remains from ancient periods to the present; the island developed as a maritime and local administrative centre under successive regional authorities. In modern times it functions as a small regional hub for fishing, tourism and local services.
Geographically the island lies off the northwest coast of Kyushu in Nagasaki Prefecture; the main settlement and ferry/air links form the island’s transport nodes to the larger cities of Kyushu.
Tips for Visiting Iki Island #
- Book your ferry (and any vehicle space) well before high season or Golden Week - regular ferry connections from Kyushu (Fukuoka/Hakata) can fill and schedules are limited outside peak times.
- Use Iki's main port (Iki City/Livadi area) as your base for exploring; services and public-transport frequencies are limited, so plan day routes around published bus timetables or arrange a rental vehicle in advance.
- Go beyond the main beaches: the island has kofun (burial mounds), small shrines and coastal walks that many day-trippers miss - allow at least one full day to explore the interior and less-frequented coves.
Best Time to Visit Iki Island #
For Iki Island, aim for late spring or early autumn for mild weather and fewer crowds, while avoiding the main rainy and typhoon season.
Weather & Climate near Iki Island #
Iki Island's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1638 mm/year), wettest in June.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (142 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 21°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (280 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (233 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (150 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (228 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
