【2026】Reasons to Visit Nishinoshima Town, Shimane——Meet the Leisurely Grazing Horses in the Year of the Horse

• Table of Contents
• Visiting Nishinoshima in the Year of the Horse
• Horses on Nishinoshima
• Delicious Food on Nishinoshima
• Souvenirs Made on Nishinoshima
• A Shrine with a Squid Legend
• Festivals and Events in 2026
• Experiencing Nishinoshima at Its Own Pace
• How to Get to Nishinoshima
• Further Reading

Visiting Nishinoshima in the Year of the Horse

The Year of the Horse is often associated with progress, speed, and leaps forward. Many people imagine the sound of thundering hooves, horses galloping across open fields at full speed. as a backdrop.
In Nishinoshima Town, however, where cows and horses graze freely, you encounter a very different scene. Against the backdrop of the blue sea, horses graze slowly on hills and cliffs, unhurried and calm. Listening to the sound of the wind, they pass the time quietly.

By embracing slow travel and a style of sightseeing that respects the island’s way of life, why not enjoy a relaxed journey to Nishinoshima in 2026?

Horses on Nishinoshima

Kuniga Coast, located on the northwestern side of Nishinoshima, is one of the most spectacular scenic areas in the Oki Islands of Shimane Prefecture. Visitors can explore remarkable geosites*, including Matengai Cliff, which rises 257m above sea level, and Tsūtenkyō Arch, a natural sea arch formed by erosion.

Alongside these dramatic landscapes, the peaceful sight of cows and horses grazing is an essential part of the scenery unique to Kuniga Coast.

*Geosite: A location of high value where geological features, landscapes, and the history, culture, and ecosystems shaped by them can be observed.
Nishinoshima is part of the Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark, and both Matengai Cliff and Tsūtenkyō Arch are representative geosites.

Nishinoshima is a mountainous island with limited flat land. For generations, islanders practiced a traditional land-use system known as “Makihata”, a form of rotational agriculture that made efficient use of scarce land resources. Although this farming method is no longer practiced, former fields are still used as pastures today, and livestock farming remains one of the key foundations of the island’s economy.
This is why cows and horses can still be seen grazing around Matengai Clif, Akao Lookout, and Onimai Lookout.

The well-maintained grasslands at Kuniga Coast owe their appearance to the horses that graze here every day— nature’s quiet gardeners, maintaining the landscape.

Things
to Know Before Visiting Kuniga Coast

Kuniga Coast is a place where spectacular scenery and grazing animals coexist. Please remember that the cows and horses are not kept for tourism, but are part of the island’s everyday life.
When visiting, keep a safe distance from the animals and enjoy the pastoral scenery quietly. Avoid loud noises and respect the calm atmosphere of the area. 

Delicious Food on Nishinoshima

Iwagaki Oysters

Nishinoshima is known as the birthplace of Iwagaki (rock oyster) cultivation in Japan. “Oki no Iwagaki”, raised in the clean waters around the island, are prized for their large size and rich, creamy flavour.
The best season runs from March to May, and they can be enjoyed at local restaurants on the island.

Sazae (Turban Shell)

As the Iwagaki season comes to an end, summer brings the harvest of sazae turban shells.
Once the fishing season opens, seasonal specialties such as sazae rice bowls and sazae curry appear on restaurant menus for a limited time, making them a signature taste of summer on Nishinoshima.

Souvenirs Made on Nishinoshima

Sazae harvested around the island are also processed locally into canned products. Made entirely from the shellfish meat, these cans are delicious on their own or added to rice dishes.
In addition, a unique confection has been developed using sazae innards that were once discarded during processing. This coca-flavoured financier helps reduce food loss and has become a popular souvenir thanks to its moist texture and distinctive taste.
Another local favourite is sake lees crackers, baked by a local bakery using sake lees—a by-pruduct of sake brewing. They make a perfect snack for tea time or for the ferry ride back to Honshu Island.

Choosing locally harvested seafood and island-made souvenirs supports the local economy while creating memorable travel experiences.

A Shrine with a Squid Legend

Nishinoshima is home to Yurahime Shrine, a prestigious shrine listed in the Engishiki, a historical record of shrines from the Heian period. Although it has no connection to horses, the shrine is closely associated with a local legend involving squid, and squid carvings can be found on the shrine building.
Take a deep breath in the quiet shrine grounds and enjoy searching for the squid carvings at your own pace.

Festivals and Events in 2026

Each season offers a small cultural moment on Nishinoshima.
In spring, the annual “Kuniga Biraki Festa” marks the opening of the tourist season. In summer, a matsuri brings a mikoshi parade through a neighbourhood at night, filling the warm evening air with energy. In autumn, a dengaku dance ritual is performed quietly at a shrine during the day, its graceful movements creating a calm and reflective atmosphere.
Different in mood but alike in spirit, these events are part of everyday life on the island. For visitors, simply being there to watch offers a gentle way to experience Nishinoshima’s living culture.

Experiencing Nishinoshima at Its Own Pace

The true charm of Nishinohsima lies in its everyday life. While enjoying the island’s scenery, visitors can also encounter its culture and the rhythms of local living. Travel slowly, quietly, and in harmony with the island. 

At pastures and geosites, remember that these places are shared living environments for people, animals, and nature. Each visitor’s mindful behaviour helps preserve Nishinoshima’s landscapes for the future and supports sustainable tourism. In 2026, the Year of the Horse, why not step away from your busy routine and spend a leisurely, extraordinary moment on an island shaped by wind, sea, and grazing horses?

How to Get to Nishinoshima

Further Reading