The Islands Journal

Ferries, island facts and remote-island culture — added through the year.

Getting Around

Island Hopping in Japan: A Beginner's Guide to the Remote Islands

2026-11-02

Beyond the four main islands, Japan is a country of ferry ports, night boats and island time. How remote-island trips work — the boats, the seasons, the weather gamble — and how to plan your first island hop.

Island Facts

How Many Islands Does Japan Have? The Recount That Tripled the Map

2026-11-02

For 35 years the official answer was 6,852. Then Japan recounted its islands on digital maps — and found 14,125. What changed, how many of those islands anyone actually lives on, and how this guide chose its 120.