Akatsuchi Pottery Ojika Island

Akatsuchi Pottery

Ojika Island 

Written by Lara - Instagram: @possumspossy

I have been fortunate enough to experience many things in my time on Ojika Island. One of the best would have to be the Akatsuchi pottery experience. The opportunity to make something personal on your travels really brings deeper meaning to the word souvenir.

When we arrived, the tables were already set up with a piece of clay, a small turn table, some tools and a wooden board. We began by working the clay until it was soft, making it into a cone shape and cutting it into two separate pieces.

I love, love, love making things, but, I'm also a bit of a perfectionist. While in some ways this can be a great trait, it has also been my downfall many times.

I started my pottery experience the same way I typically start most things - with high expectations for myself.

The sensei showed us two different techniques to make a pinch pot. I wanted to make two perfect pots for succulents, to give as a gift to my mum and sister. As you can probably imagine, this did not happen. My first attempt ended with me scrunching up my pot and starting again.

The second attempt was much better but as I was finishing it, Sensei told us that we had one hour left. At this point I realised that if I wanted to have a finished product, I would need to get over my perfectionist ways.
I felt like I was being tested. I realised that my pots were not going to be perfect, no matter how much time I spent on them. I began to focus on good enough.

This changed everything. I managed to finish 3 pots, a coaster (it's not a coaster but more of a dish to place small items in), and 6 chopstick rests. I found the more I just pushed through and created, the more experimental I became and in the end the chopstick rests and coaster were my favourite items.

Catching Fugu on Ojika Island

First Solo Fishing Attempt

Written by Lara - Instagram: @possumspossy

Taiyo San has been kind enough to teach me the basics of fishing and lend me a fishing rod while I have been on Ojika. The other day I decided to go out for myself for the first time. 

I set off with a goal - to catch one fish. Catch one fish I did! It was a puffer fish (fugu), known as a dangerous delicacy in Japan, when prepared by skilled and certified chefs. However, when it is prepared by amateurs, it is simply a poisonous fish. 

I chose to set my little fugu free... if only I could get it off the hook. As I had had Taiyo with me on every other fishing expedition, I had not realised how tricky it can be to get a slimy fish of a fishing hook. 

So after many failed attempts and stabbing myself twice, I decided to cut the line and ride with the fish in the bike basket. After some laughing and poking fun, Taiyo San took off the fish with very little effort and we set it free.

Moral of the story? I don't know, because I still can't take a fish off the hook...

Sunset Cruise around Ojika Island

Sunset Cruise

Ojika Island

Written by Lara - Instagram: @possumspossy

One of the best things about staying on Ojika Island, has been the hospitality Taiyo San and his family have shown the workawayers. Since I have been here I have had the chance to participate in many community events, fishing, and most recently a sunset cruise around the island.

Taiyo San's parents own a small boat, and kindly offered to take us to see the sunset in their own time. I feel so grateful for the generosity of the people on this island, particularly Taiyo San and his family.

We left the dock as the sun was setting and cruised around looking at the smaller surrounding islands, stopping at Noshima island. This island is famous for it's peanuts, as well as a large tree as soon as you step off the dock.

Hiroko San told us that there is a legend that when foreign traders arrived on the island, they dropped a seed, which grew as the water levels rose. When the people on the island built the dock they chose to spare the tree for its beauty.

Although it was difficult to take photos and videos because of the waves! I managed to get a few and posted them on the Shimayadogoen youtube channel. You can watch the montage by clicking here.

Exploring Kuroshima Park

Exploring Kuroshima Park

Written by Lara - Instagram: @possumspossy

One of the first places I visited on Ojika Island was Kuroshima Park. Located just a short stroll or quick 10 minute bike ride from Shimayadogoen, it presents beautiful views both on the journey and at the destination.

There are two entrances to the park, one from a long, steep set of stairs, and the other provides a shorter set of stairs but requires you to cycle up a steeper hill.

If you enter from the first entrance, you will see a tori gate at the top of the long set of stairs. As you walk through it, you will come to a large turret that offers a stunning view, and a small round table with a tiled map of the island.

The second entrance offers a beautiful pathway surrounded by lush green grass, trees and views of the ocean. 

After walking along the path for a couple of minutes, you will come across a shrine that looks beautiful at sunset. The day that I visited, there were many spider webs so I did not enter the shrine, but hopefully you have better luck!

Exploring Ojika Island by Bicycle

Exploring Ojika Island by Bicycle 

Written by Lara - Instagram: @possumspossy

Ojika Island is part of the Goto Islands of Nagasaki Japan. With approximately 2,500 residents on the island, traditional small alleyways and untouched beauty, it is often referred to as a glimpse into what Japan used to be.

One of the best ways to explore the island is via bicycle. As the island is a little hilly, if you would like to make your life a little easier, I would suggest getting an electric bike. It's just enough to give the uphill starts that little extra push to propel you forwards.

Shimayadogoen offers free push bikes and electric bikes for a small fee.

When you arrive for your stay, there are maps at the entrance.They show you all of the main places to visit on the island and the approximate cycling times to get there.

Sports Day 2019 Ojika Island

Sports Day 2019

Ojika Island

Written by Lara - Instagram: possumspossy

In Japanese culture, Autumn is sports time. All across the country, this is the time when sports events are held due to the beautiful autumn weather. 

For more than 100 years, every year in October, sports day unites the people of Ojika Island. 

Many gather for a family-fun, friendly, day of competition among the districts. There are more than 25 teams and the schoolchildren provide entertainment through dance and the band.

Schoolchildren dance performance

The day began with a traditional Japanese morning exercise called "Rajio Taisou" (ラジオ体操)  everyone joined in - including the spectators.

This was followed by a few relay races and then the highlight of the event - The children vs elderly ball toss, this 100 year old tradition unites the generations and is just good old fashioned fun for all involved.

Anxiously awaiting the results

Very happy winners!

For lunch, it is typical for families to bring a packed Bento lunch and share stories about the day.
This year the rain meant the second half of the event was cancelled. Being a small island, with much of it congregated in one area, you can probably imagine the chaos that ensued as people tried to avoid the rain.

We were all separated into different cars, and headed to the Karaoke bar to share our bento lunch on a few tables pushed together, over funny stories about our journeys home.

After sports day each district has an afterparty to celebrate, to congratulate, and thank the people who participated. Because of the rain the official afterparty was postponed and instead we had our own unofficial after party which involved strobe lights, a smoke machine, a very amateur DJ attempt from me, and karaoke!

The official afterparty was held a few days later and involved delicious food and playing with the children so their parents could enjoy their time drinking and chatting.

Hidden Island Paradise - Ojika Island

Hidden Island Paradise 

Ojika Island

Written by Lara - Instagram: possumspossy

Have you ever found yourself looking at instagram for travel inspiration, only to arrive at a location to find it teeming with tourists wielding cameras, and everyone scrambling to take a photo at the "insta worthy" photo spot?

What if I told you that there was an Island in Japan with beautiful landscapes that surround you at every moment, green and blue hues as far as the eye can see, and the most beautiful sunsets that paint the sky every colour of the rainbow.

If you're looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of frantic cities or click bait getaways then I strongly urge you to consider Ojika Island. It is the perfect place for a short or long stay to recharge your batteries with fresh air, the sound of silence and room to explore or relax.

The Island is small but has many things to see and do, whether it be swimming in the beautiful beaches, taking in the scenery, fishing with the locals, cycling around the many hidden paths or even taking a class on making your own postcard using the old German technique of typography.

Come to Ojika Island and experience it for yourself!