Aoshima day trip: Shrine, Devil's Washboard and subtropical garden

Visit Aoshima Island on foot with official information on Aoshima Shrine hours, amulet sales, free botanical garden admission and greenhouse closures, plus transport from Miyazaki Station.

Last checked:

  • Miyazaki
  • Day trips
  • Shrines, temples and parks

Aoshima () is a small island in Miyazaki City with a circumference of about 1.5 km. It is home to Aoshima Shrine and the wave-shaped rock formations surrounding the island known as the Devil’s Washboard (). Cars cannot enter the island; visitors must walk from outside. This article follows Miyazaki City’s official tourism website. It does not give tide times or when the rocks are exposed because the official pages do not provide them. For more Miyazaki sights, see the Takachiho Gorge guide.

Key points

  • Vehicles are prohibited on the island; park outside and walk in.
  • About 10 minutes on foot from JR Aoshima Station; about 800 metres from the station to Aoshima Shrine on the island.
  • Aoshima Shrine is open for worship from 6:00 until sunset; amulets and goshuin are available 8:00 to 17:00 (except at New Year).
  • Admission is free to the Prefectural Aoshima Subtropical Botanical Garden.

Island and shrine

Item Official information
Island About 1.5 km in circumference; the official site says the island itself is considered a spiritual power spot
Devil’s Washboard Unusual wave-shaped rock formations surrounding the island
Access Cars cannot enter; park near the Aoshima approach entrance and walk onto the island
Aoshima Shrine worship 6:00 until sunset (evening hours vary by season)
Amulets and goshuin 8:00 to 17:00 (except during New Year)

Botanical garden

Item Official information
Admission Free entry to the grounds and buildings
Garden grounds 8:30 to 17:00, open year-round
Large greenhouse and tropical fruit greenhouse 9:00 to 17:00
Large greenhouse closed Tuesdays (except public holidays)
Tropical fruit greenhouse closed Wednesdays (except public holidays)
Cafe 10:00 to 17:00 (last order 16:30); closed Tuesday and Wednesday (except during flower exhibitions)
Parking No car park within the garden; use nearby paid or free parking

Transport

Mode Official information
JR About 30 minutes from Miyazaki Station to Aoshima Station on the Nichinan Line, then about 10 minutes on foot
Bus About 25 minutes from Miyako City on a bus towards Aoshima or Nichinan, alighting at Aoshima; alternatively, walk about 10 minutes from the Aoshima stop on the outbound Aoshima Line
Driving About 25 minutes from Miyazaki Station

Suggested sequence

  1. Arrive at Aoshima Station and walk to the Aoshima approach entrance.
  2. Walk onto the island and visit Aoshima Shrine (amulets and goshuin from 8:00).
  3. See the Devil’s Washboard around the island. The official page does not say when it is exposed; check conditions on site.
  4. Botanical garden: some greenhouses close on Tuesday or Wednesday, so check the day.

Checks before departure

  1. Check if your visit falls on Tuesday or Wednesday (greenhouse closed days).
  2. If driving, park outside the island.
  3. To see the Devil’s Washboard, check a tide table first (not provided on the official page).

For a regional overview, see the Kyushu travel guide.

Sources