[Shimanami Kaido] Landing at the ruins of Nojima Castle and taking a thrilling tidal current cruise to see the history of the Murakami Kaizoku

• Table of Contents
• Enjoy a visit to the ruins of Nojima Castle and a tidal current cruise 
• Cruise Types
• Experience rapids and an uninhabited island that has remained untouched for 400 years: "Landing at Noshima Castle Ruins & Experience the Currents"
• Are buried treasures still being discovered?! Feel the romance of history at the ruins of Sannomaru, Ninomaru, and Honmaru
• 2 hours 30 minutes from Hiroshima, 1 hour from Fukuyama (express bus)

Enjoy a visit to the ruins of Nojima Castle and a tidal current cruise 

Oshima, located on the Shimanami Kaido in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, is an attractive spot filled with history and nature. In particular, the ruins of Noshima Castle are attracting attention as the only castle ruins on the sea in Japan. This castle ruin was once famous as a pirate base, and since it can be accessed from the sea, you can land by boat and experience its historical heritage up close. Of particular interest is the cruise that allows you to land on Japan's only castle on the sea and experience the powerful currents.

In this article, we will introduce the appeal and fun of the Nojima Castle ruins and tidal current cruise.

Noshima Castle Ruins

794-2203 1293-2 Miyakubo, Miyakubo-cho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture

The remains of the castle of the Noshima Murakami clan, the rulers of the Seto Inland Sea. As it is an uninhabited island, it is a nationally designated historic site that can only be experienced by joining a tour. The island and its occupation were driven out of the island by the 1588 Anti-Piracy Order issued by Hideyoshi, but many fans visit to experience the remains of the sea castle from the Nanboku-cho and Sengoku periods and the surrounding tides.

Cruise Types

There are two types of cruises: one that requires a reservation and allows you to land on Noshima, and one that is just a cruise to experience the currents and does not include landing on Noshima.

Cruise application form

① Noshima Landing & Tidal Current Cruise (operates on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)
Departure times: 9:45, 11:45, 13:45 (only 2nd and 3rd cruise operate from December to February)
・Operation time: Approximately 75 minutes
・Tour fare: 2,500 yen for adults, 1,700 yen for junior and senior high school students, 1,200 yen for elementary school students, 500 yen for infants (including castle seal)
*100 yen discount per person for groups of 15 or more.
・Application method: Apply online (up to 3 days in advance) *You can check the operating flights on the calendar. 
In the event of cancellation of the event/for local departure and arrival plans, transportation costs etc. related to participation will not be guaranteed.
・Operation conditions: Rain or shine
・Minimum number of participants: 10 people (If there are less than 10 people 7 days before the boarding date, the tour will be canceled.)
・Payment: Cash only on the day
*Payment by bank transfer is also possible up to 7 days before the boarding date (bank transfer fees will be borne by the customer).
Bank details: Ehime Bank Imabari Branch Normal Account 7128602 Account name: Setouchi Shimanami Reading Co., Ltd. Meeting place: Noshima Suigun Reception

② Miyakubo Seto Tidal Current Experience (Cruise only) *Operates every day except Mondays
・Departure time: 9:00-15:00 (last entry) Departs every hour
・Operation time: Approximately 40 minutes
・Tour fee: 1,500 yen for adults, 700 yen for elementary school students *Free for children under elementary school age
・Payment: Payment on the day (cash, credit card, electronic money accepted)
・How to apply: Online applications can be made up to 3 days in advance, and on-the-day applications can be made up to 10 minutes before departure. ・Minimum number of participants: 2 or more (number of paying participants)
・Meeting place: Noshima Navy reception desk

Noshima Landing & Current Cruise

If you are traveling by car, head to the Murakami Pirates Museum, about 5 minutes from Oshima Kita IC from Onomichi, or about 15 minutes from Oshima Minami IC from Imabari. The reception desk is located in the building facing the sea, "Nojima Suigun: Seafood Direct from Farm, Pier, Restaurant" in front of the Murakami Pirates Museum.

Put on your life jacket and head to the uninhabited island of Noshima Castle

A guide from the local guide club will also board the boat for the landing tour. After everyone checks into their life jackets and uses the restroom (there are no toilet facilities on Noshima), we head to the pier and depart on the "Kojin Maru," a 64-person tourist boat anchored on the right. There is a best time for the tides. The times change daily, and can be checked on the tide table below.

Trend Best Time

Experience rapids and an uninhabited island that has remained untouched for 400 years: "Landing at Noshima Castle Ruins & Experience the Currents"

The boat heads to Kojin Seto, a rapids spot around Noshima. The captain, whose steering skills are on par with those of a pirate, navigates the boat dynamically along the edge of the reef. You'll get to see the currents up close, which will make you wonder if you're really in the Seto Inland Sea. If you stop the engine, the boat will be swept away with such force that it's almost like going down a rapids river.

We finally land on Noshima from the private pier! We start our walk on the southern flat land while listening to the guide's explanations. Noshima has well-maintained promenades and is very easy to walk on. However, please be careful as there are some places on the gentle slope where there are no handrails. From Noshima, you can also see the Oshima Bridge that connects Oshima and Hakatajima.

Are buried treasures still being discovered?! Feel the romance of history at the ruins of Sannomaru, Ninomaru, and Honmaru

View of Taizaki Island and the mooring pier from Ninomaru Obikuru

According to the guide, 10,000 pieces of "kawarake" (tiles) were discovered at the site of the main citadel! Amazingly, small pieces of pottery can still be found here and there today... Feeling the rapidly changing currents and the pleasant breezes, we can reminisce about times gone by.

2 hours 30 minutes from Hiroshima, 1 hour from Fukuyama (express bus)

Access is 2 hours 30 minutes from Hiroshima Bus Center or 1 hour from Fukuyama Station (express bus), get off at Oshima BS.
For taxis, Oshima Taxi can be reserved for your convenience (Oshima Taxi: 0897-84-2629). Please tell them your destination is Murakami Kaizoku Museum or Nojima Suigun.

Tour participants will receive a "Castle Seal" as a souvenir. At the museum shop "Jiba Cafe Noshima", there is a wide selection of souvenirs from the Shimanami Kaido and pirate goods that can only be found here.

Book your cruise here

Noshima, with a circumference of about 850 meters, is designated as one of the 100 most famous castles in Japan, and its appearance as a sea castle can be clearly seen from its exterior. The Noshima Castle Ruins Landing & Tidal Current Cruise is a recommended activity that allows you to experience both historical exploration and the power of nature at the same time. Be sure to enjoy it together with the Murakami Kaizoku Museum!

From the left, the Southeast Citadel, the Main Citadel, and the Yabitsu