What Is Sensuijima? A Scenic Island off Tomonoura
Sensuijima (Sensuijima Island) in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, is an island about 6 km in circumference floating offshore from Tomo Port. A municipal ferry crosses the water in about 5 minutes.
Beyond the short boat trip, rock walls carved by volcanic activity and wave erosion, warm-temperate forest, and the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea’s many islands come together in a landscape where you can read the terrain and vegetation as you walk.
The Name Comes from a Legend About Scenery Beautiful Enough to Intoxicate Immortals
The island’s name is said to come from a legend that it is “so beautiful that even immortals become intoxicated.”
Rather than confusing the legend with a factual explanation, consider it alongside the island’s silhouette seen from Tomonoura and the views from its ridges to understand the appreciation of scenic beauty that has long been cherished locally.
An Island Forming Part of the National Place of Scenic Beauty Tomo Park
Sensuijima was designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty in 1925. The entire island, Bentenjima, and other areas were later added, forming the landscape of today’s Tomo Park.
Instead of viewing the natural island in isolation, it is important to see Tomo Port, Bentenjima, the sea, and the ridgeline of Sensuijima as one landscape.
Walk Through the Nature of Setonaikai National Park
The Sensuijima Collective Facilities District covers 93.6 ha and contains landforms including bands of rhyolitic tuff, faults, joints, and uplifted sea caves.
Rather than memorizing geological terms, observe how the rocks split, hollows formed by marine erosion, and the forest encroaches on exposed rock to gain a tangible sense of how the island developed.
Take the Heisei Iroha Maru and Look Back at Tomonoura from the Boat
The journey to Sensuijima is itself the first viewpoint experience for understanding the relationship between Tomonoura and the island.
Once the boat leaves the port, compare the port town with its jōyatō stone lantern, Bentenjima, and the slopes of Sensuijima in sequence to grasp layers of scenery that are difficult to understand from land.
The Fukuyama Municipal Ferry Connects Tomo and Sensuijima
The Fukuyama municipal ferry Heisei Iroha Maru connects the Tomo side with Sensuijima Pier, and the voyage takes 5 minutes.
Before departure, check the day’s timetable and fare, and plan an itinerary that will not delay your return if you miss a ferry.
Check the Weather and Ferry Operation Status on the Day
Even when the Seto Inland Sea looks calm, strong winds, poor visibility, maintenance, and other factors may change operating conditions.
Check not only your outbound ferry but also the return service. Saving the timetable to your device can provide reassurance in case communications become unstable on the island.
Match what you see from the boat with what you observe on the island.
| What to See from the Boat | What It Reveals | How to View It on the Island |
|---|---|---|
| Tomo Port | Distance between the port and island | Look back toward the opposite shore |
| Bentenjima | How the islands overlap | Confirm its position from the coast |
| Sensuijima’s ridge | Elevation differences and vegetation | Compare them from the scenic trail |
| Rocky coastline | Outline shaped by marine erosion | View it from a safe path |
Follow the Coastal Walking Trail Toward Goshikiiwa
Walking along Sensuijima’s coast offers scenery where the sea and rock walls meet at close range, but you must first check the day’s guidance to learn which sections are open.
Distinguishing restored paths from those that remain closed, and never crossing fences or signs, protects both the island’s nature and your safety.
The Coastal Trail to Goshikiiwa Reopened in February 2026
Among the coastal walking trails that had been completely closed because of typhoon damage, the section leading to Goshikiiwa completed restoration work and reopened on February 12, 2026.
Reopening does not mean that the entire trail has returned to its former condition, so give priority to local warnings about falling rocks, sea spray, and wet surfaces.
The Coastal Route from Koura to Tanoura Remains Closed
The coastal walking trail from Koura to Tanoura remains closed and has no scheduled reopening.
Even if a map appears to show the trail continuing, do not attempt to pass through. Plan to retrace your route or take another route indicated locally.
Watch the Tide and Waves, and Do Not Approach the Rocks Too Closely
On the coast, the reach of the waves changes with the tide, and even rocks that look dry can be slippery from seaweed or spray.
Stop to take photographs only from a stable place on the path, and do not descend below cliffs, beyond fences, or onto rocks at the water’s edge.
The treatment of each section is summarized below so you can make clear decisions about access.
| Section or Place | Access Status | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Around the pier | Check posted guidance | Check the return ferry first |
| Toward Goshikiiwa | Reopened | Follow local signs |
| Koura–Tanoura | Closure continues | Do not enter; turn back |
| Rocky areas and below cliffs | Hazards change | Observe from the path |
Read Goshikiiwa and Marine-Erosion Landforms Up Close
Goshikiiwa, a symbol of Sensuijima, is a place to observe rock colors described as blue, red, yellow, white, and black as one continuous coastal landscape.
Instead of expecting only vivid colors, look at surface weathering, wet and dry areas, and the boundary with vegetation to understand changes across the rock face.
The Colors Look Different Depending on Minerals, Weathering, and Light
Even in the same place, sunlight direction and moisture change the brightness of the rock, so all 5 colors do not always appear as uniform bands.
After finding the color boundaries with your eyes, step back several paces to view the entire rock wall and record both its details and overall landform.
Look for Traces of Faults, Joints, and Marine Erosion
Straight cracks in rock can indicate joints, shifts in strata can indicate faults, and hollows cut by the sea offer clues for considering the work of marine erosion.
Rather than rushing to a technical conclusion, compare the direction and angle of cracks with their relationship to the waves; this observational approach is a shortcut to a deeper understanding of the scenery.
Record Stones Where They Are Without Collecting Them
Do not take nature from the national park home. Do not move or break stones whose colors or shapes interest you; record them with photographs or notes where they are.
Even when you want to show scale, avoid placing objects on the rock. Using a person in the distance or a trail fence as a reference reduces the burden on the environment.
Enjoy Warm-Temperate Forest and Views on the Hill Trails
In addition to the coastal rock scenery, shifting your attention toward the hills reveals another side of Sensuijima: warm-temperate forest featuring oaks, chinquapins, camphor trees, and ubame oak, together with views of the Seto Inland Sea.
Do not force yourself to connect the entire coast and ridge in one outing. Decide how far to walk based on your fitness, sunset, and the return ferry time.
Compare Leaves and Bark in the Forest
Even in a forest rich in evergreen trees, comparing leaf thickness and gloss, bark, and branch forms reveals differences in vegetation adapted to sea winds and dry conditions.
Do not collect plants, and when stopping on a narrow path, move to a place where people behind you can pass.
Read the Depth of the Islands from Viewpoints
At open viewpoints, follow nearby Bentenjima, Tomo Port, and distant island silhouettes from foreground to background to better grasp the sense of distance across this island-dotted sea.
Do not lean over fences or climb rocks. On windy days, secure hats and light belongings.
Do Not Judge Trail Difficulty by Distance Alone
Elevation changes, wet leaves, tree roots, heat, and rest time all affect the effort required, so even short sections call for comfortable walking shoes and drinking water.
At junctions, do not proceed by intuition. Check the local map and signs, calculate backward from the return ferry time, and turn back early.
| Environment to Observe | What to Look For | Safety Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-temperate forest | Leaves, bark, and canopy | Do not trample roots |
| Ridges and viewpoints | Layering of the islands | View from inside the fence |
| Shaded paths | Changes in humidity and light | Watch for slippery leaves |
| Junctions | Signs and current location | Turn back early |
Follow Closure Information and National Park Etiquette
Because Sensuijima has restrictions related to natural disasters and facility updates, it is important not to judge availability from old travel articles or maps alone.
Do not reduce the food or supplies you carry on the assumption that closed facilities will be open. Bring your own drinking water, trail snacks, and trash bags.
The Campground Is Closed
The campground in the Sensuijima Collective Facilities District has been closed since October 1, 2023.
Even if older information mentions a free campground, do not pitch a tent. Check the day’s guidance for reopening information or alternative facilities.
Leave No Trash or Food on the Island
Take home all trash, including packaging, drink containers, and tissues, and do not feed wildlife.
Lightweight trash can easily blow away near the sea, so put it in a bag immediately after use and check your rest area again before returning to the pier.
Do Not Touch Wildlife; Keep Your Distance
The rocky shore and forest support diverse wildlife. Do not leave overturned stones upside down, collect shells or plants, or otherwise alter the environment after observing it.
If you encounter a dangerous animal, do not approach it. Give it space or turn back, and when traveling with children, have an adult check the ground first.
Plan a Safe Half-Day Walk
On a first visit to Sensuijima, connect the ferry, coastal walking trail, Goshikiiwa, and part of the hills without trying to do too much, allowing yourself to appreciate the island’s terrain calmly.
A flexible plan that gives top priority to coastal access conditions and uses any extra time to explore the port town on the Tomonoura side works well.
Check the Return Ferry and Restrictions Immediately after Arrival
When you reach the pier, first check the return ferry time, information boards, closures, and weather, and do not rely only on a smartphone map.
If heading toward Goshikiiwa, keep the end of the restored section and your turnaround time in mind, and include time for photography in your itinerary.
Change the Order of the Coast and Hills According to the Weather
Walk the coast first while the tide and waves are calm and there is daylight. When heat or wind is strong, switch to a short shaded section and adapt to local conditions.
After rain, rocks, fallen leaves, and tree roots become slippery, so deciding to shorten your plans is also a choice that preserves the quality of your trip.
Look at the Island Again from Tomonoura and the Opposite Shore
After returning from the island, view Sensuijima from Tomo Port or higher ground to review the coast and ridge you walked as one landscape.
By combining 4 perspectives—the outbound trip, the island, the return trip, and the opposite shore—you can understand how Sensuijima helps shape the scenery of the port town.
Summary: Walk Responsibly Through Sensuijima’s Goshikiiwa and Forest
Sensuijima is an island about a 5-minute boat trip from Tomonoura where you can observe connected bands of volcanic rock, marine-erosion landforms, warm-temperate forest, and views across an island-dotted sea.
The coastal walking trail toward Goshikiiwa reopened in February 2026, but the coastline from Koura to Tanoura and the campground remain closed, so follow the day’s guidance.
Decide on the ferry timetable, weather, and return route first. Do not cross closures or fences, and do not take rocks or wildlife home, so you can thoughtfully appreciate the landscape nurtured by the terrain of the Seto Inland Sea.
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