Senzaki in Nagato city, Yamaguchi prefecture is known as the birthplace of Misuzu Kaneko, the children’s poet. [Dedicated article https://setouchifinder.com/en/detail/514].

After taking a stroll along Misuzu-dori Street, we recommend visiting Omi Island, which can be seen from the seashore.

At first sight, it might seem just like any ordinary island, but its shoreline, which has been eroded by the waves of the Sea of Japan, is full of dents!

And these dents are not just any dents.

They are dents that have been collectively designated as ”indispensible to the countryside beauty of Japan”. The “Marine Alps”, as they’re also known, are made up of caves, precipitous cliffs, strange rocks and other formations that continue on for around 16kms! They could also be called “Nature’s Art Museum. Leaving Senzaki without visiting the island is just like going home hungry after hearing a chef describe a delicious-dish.
Illustrating the dedication of the locals, colorful sightseeing boats depart Senzaki port regularly.

In principle, all the sightseeing boats are “one-round-course” boats that go around the island, but depending on weather and wave conditions, the course may be shorter.

 

As the day’s courses are displayed at the wharf, be sure to check them out.

On the day I visited, I was able to do a full “one round course”.

I paid the fare, and finally we departed!

As we leave the port and go beyond the breakwater, the waves grow somewhat larger. Sometimes the sea spray hits us, but that’s part of the fun! As we get closer to Omi Island, the rough beauty of the island’s shoreline captivates us. I even spot some seabirds resting their wings on some large reefs.

When the waves aren’t so big, the boats enter the caves…

Seen from up close, the rock surface is surprisingly colorful!

We also had an encounter with some marine life! Two dolphins followed the sightseeing boat playfully.

“You guys are lucky!” the captain says, and stops the boat for a while so we can observe the dolphins.

The cruise lasts around 90-minutes, but it felt like it was over in an instant!

As well as the thrill of entering small crevices in the cliffs, depending on the place the rolling of the boat sometimes resembles a rollercoaster.

Above all, you won’t grow tired of the island’s scenic beauty, as it continually shows you different faces.