Koshima Island
幸島
An uninhabited islet off the southern Nichinan Coast, home to wild macaques that wash sweet potatoes in seawater, a sacred site for primate research.
Koshima is an uninhabited island about 200 metres off the Ishinami Coast in Kushima city, roughly 3.5 km around. Around a hundred wild Japanese macaques live here among the forest, and both the island and its monkeys are designated a national natural monument. In 1953 researchers from Kyoto University observed a female monkey washing sweet potatoes in seawater. The behaviour spread through the group and became a classic case in studies of cultural transmission among monkeys. Visitors can learn about the research history at the Koshima observation centre on the Ishinami Coast, then take a short boat ride to the island, operated by local fishermen. Fares are charged per person, and sailings depend on sea conditions. Feeding and touching the monkeys are prohibited. It is about 1.5 hours' drive from central Miyazaki and can be combined on the same day with Cape Toi, about 10 km away.
Opening hours
Ferries run during daytime, subject to weather and sea conditions
Nearby sights
- Cape Toi
- Obi Castle Town
- Udo Jingu Shrine
- Sun Messe Nichinan
- Horikiri Pass & Michi-no-Eki Phoenix
- Aoshima Island & Aoshima Shrine
- Devil's Washboard
- Kisakihama Beach