Aoshima temple and the Ogres/devils’ washboard

Located just offshore from Aoshima is Aoshima Island, which is surrounded by dramatic, rugged rocks that stretch out all around it. The island is home to a shrine that shares its name and is dedicated to the deity of the sea, and it is also a place that supposedly brings blessings to married couples. This shrine is beautiful, and the location offers stunning photo opportunities. Nearby, a train line provides passengers with the chance to capture impressive images of the rock formations. During the ride, passengers are informed that they are viewing either the Devil's Washboard or the Ogre's Washboard.

Aoshima is known for its resort-worthy beaches, which are surrounded by stalls selling souvenirs and beach goods. The island also hosts surfing competitions. It is connected by a stone bridge and a sandy walkway. The landscape is lush with palm and bamboo, creating a jungle climate that enhances the vibrant reds of the shrine.

In addition to the main shrine, there is a smaller shrine that you shouldn’t miss. Be sure to buy a stone disk to throw for good luck. The atmosphere on the island is peaceful, with the soothing sound of waves crashing on the shore. The views from the island are stunning from every angle. To the south, you can admire beautiful cliffs and the shoreline, which lead to the famous Easter Island heads. If you look to the north, you'll see the picturesque coastline that extends toward Miyazaki City.

The washboard provides opportunities to observe local crabs as they go about their daily activities and offers a chance to explore rock pools. Made from basalt, the washboard is a natural formation, even though it may appear manmade. Aoshima is often confused with the island of the same name located in Ehime Prefecture; however, visitors to Aoshima in Miyazaki may be disappointed when they don't find an army of cats. While Aoshima in Ehime is famous for its cats, the Aoshima in Miyazaki offers a chance to appreciate the beauty of nature's handiwork.

My trip to Aoshima was certainly one to remember. The temperature was high, and the skies were blue and clear, with only a dark band of clouds visible in the distance. Little did I know those dark clouds spelled disaster. Perhaps a marina or sea-savvy fisherman could have predicted what happened next.

I was able to visit the first shrine and pull a beautiful love charm and fortune. As I explored the Devil's Washboard, small droplets of water began to fall from the sky. Noticing that the locals, who were also exploring for crabs along the washboard, showed no signs of concern, I continued my exploration and encouraged my travel companion to take some images of the waves breaking on the washboard. The waves began to grow a bit, and as the rain became heavier, we made a dash for an undercover section in the jungle, presuming, like many rainstorms in Kyushu, that it would be brief.

However, the heavens opened, and the rain grew torrential to the point where we could no longer see the washboard, only sheets of rain falling in a whiteout. We had ponchos, but they offered little protection and ended up doing a better job of keeping our bags dry. Despite feeling like a drowned rat, the experience was somewhat peaceful. Fish could be seen jumping out of the sea, and the sky grew dark.

Eventually, we took shelter under the bridge leading to the island, many others who had been sheltering at the shrine also began to make a break for it. As predicted, no more than an hour later, the sun returned, and the sky turned blue once more.

I ended up missing the second shrine, but the experience was memorable, nonetheless. I fully recommend taking a trip to Aoshima and exploring what it has to offer. It's a scenic train ride of about half an hour out of the city, making it a beautiful day trip. There are also resort hotels in the area for those wanting to surf and spend time on the beaches.