Tomogashima
友ヶ島
An uninhabited island group in the Kii Channel. The ruins of Meiji-era red-brick gun batteries are known as the "Castle in the Sky," making it a popular ruins-hiking island near Kansai.
Tomogashima is made up of four small islands, including Jinoshima and Okinoshima. In the Meiji era, fortifications were built here to guard Osaka Bay. They left behind the No. 3 Battery, a red-brick ammunition store and the Tomogashima Lighthouse, lit in 1872. The vine-covered ruins have become known as the "Castle in the Sky" filming location. Visitors take a ferry from Kada Port to Nonaura Pier on Okinoshima, about 20 minutes, for a round trip of about 2,200 yen. Walking the island loop takes about 3–4 hours, and the route has many slopes, so wear sneakers. There are very few supplies on the island, so bring your own drinking water and check the last ferry time. From Nankai Kada Station, it is about a 15-minute walk to the pier.
Opening hours
Ferry about 9:00 AM–4:30 PM (mainly weekends in winter; check website)
Nearby sights
- Awashima Shrine
- Saikazaki & Bandokoro Garden
- Yosuien Garden
- Wakayama Castle
- Kishu Toshogu
- Wakayama Ramen (Ide Shoten)
- Wakanoura & Tamatsushima Shrine
- Hinokuma & Kunikakasu Shrines