Kamome Island
Kamome Island, also known as Kamome Jima, is a small landform off Esashi town in Hokkaido, Japan, in the Sea of Japan. It mainly acts as a breakwater for Esashi port and is part of Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park. The island is about 1 kilometer long and 200 meters wide, with a 2.6-kilometer coastline, and it rises to 27.6 meters. A 500-meter sandbank connects it to the mainland, so you can reach it by road. It helps protect the coast from waves, and a north wave-breaker was added, though the west coast is eroding. The name Kamome means “seagull.”
Historically, during the Edo period it was called Bentenjima. A shrine was built by merchants in 1615 to honor the sea god, and in 1868 it became Itsukushima Shrine. A monument to poet Matsuo Bashō was placed nearby in 1814. To solve freshwater shortages, a well was built in 1876. Cannons were brought to the island in 1852 to defend Esashi.
The surrounding waters are rich with sea life that changes with the seasons. The island is popular for swimming, camping, fishing, and hiking all year round.
Kamome Island Matsuri: The first weekend of July, the Kamome Island Matsuri festival lasts two days. It honors the Heishi Rock legend. A group of young men in traditional loincloths (fundoshi) swim to the rock, climb up, and renew a 30-meter shimenawa rope that wraps the rock. The rope weighs about 500 kilograms. The festival also features rope renewal, a rowing race, parades in traditional costumes, Taiko drumming, singing, and a karaoke contest.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 06:56 (CET).