Hi everyone, Nohara here. In this feature, we’re shining a spotlight on a lesser-known treasure of Kumamoto Prefecture—the remote island of Goshoura (御所浦). Nestled amidst an archipelago that rivals even the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea, Goshoura offers breathtaking panoramic views of a seascape dotted with numerous islands.

While Japan boasts many coastal areas speckled with islands, such as the Seto Inland Sea and Nagasaki’s Saikai, Kumamoto’s Amakusa region harbors its own collection of scenic islets. Among these, Goshoura stands out as a slightly off-the-beaten-path destination offering exceptional vistas of the surrounding archipelago.

A Glimpse from Goshoura’s Summit: Panoramic Views from the middle of Shiranui Sea (不知火海)

Yes, the location marked on the map is Goshoura Island (御所浦島), a remote island region of Kumamoto Prefecture. This means it’s a place you can’t get to without taking a boat. (As of April 2017, I live on Makishima (牧島), which is connected to Goshoura Island by a bridge.) The highest peak of Goshoura Island is Karasutoge (烏峠), standing at an elevation of 442 meters, with a well-maintained lookout point. While it’s not a very tall mountain, it offers a perfect spot for a 360° panoramic view of the Shiranui Sea (不知火海).

Towards Kagoshima’s Shishijima
In the center-left of the photo is a remote island of Kagoshima, Shishijima (獅子島) with the Amakusa’s lower main island “Shimoshima” stretching from behind it to the right. Kagoshima and Kumamoto Prefectures intricately interlace across the sea.

Overlooking Goshoura Island’s Main Port
From the foot of Karasutoge Lookout (烏峠展望所), you can see Goshoura Island’s main gateway, Goshoura Port. It’s a bustling hub where ferries, sea taxis, and fishing boats constantly come and go.

Towards Nagasaki’s Unzen Volcano
You can spot Nagasaki Prefecture’s Unzen Volcano poking out behind Amakusa’s Ueshima.

Toward the Kuroshiro Current and Beyond
On the right, wind turbines on Kagoshima Prefecture’s Nagashima are visible, but even more astonishing is the view of the Koshikijima Twins and Okinoshima Island in the depths of Kagoshima’s Kuroshio Current!

This is where Futagoshima and Okinoshima are located. Amazing that you can see that far away with the naked eye…

As you’ll discover upon visiting, the view in person far surpasses what any photo can convey. Ironically, we locals, including myself, seldom make the trip up to Karasutoge Lookout. Though, we do gather a small crowd during New Year’s for the first sunrise.

Yet, it’s undoubtedly a place which I’d happily accompany any guest who makes it out all the way here.

The Changing Views from Karasutoge Lookout

Ta-da! The sunset dipping behind the tranquil inland sea is incredibly beautiful. To see this, one must either stay in Goshoura or decide to live here.

As night falls, a charm unlike city nightscapes emerges. The lights in the island settlements, the dim sea, and the silhouettes of islands create a stunning contrast. The sparse lights of boats traversing the dark ocean seem almost lonely in their solitude. (It makes one unabashedly yearn to pen a poem or two.)

A note of caution: if you descend the mountain after dusk, there’s a very high chance of encountering wild boars, so please be very careful.

How to Get to Karasutoge on Goshoura Island

To reach Goshoura Island, you have various options including public transport, taking into account the ferry ride, it’s roughly a 2.5-hour journey from central Kumamoto City.

For detailed directions, check out Goshoura.net. Fun fact: if you notice any similarities between this article and those on Goshoura.net, it’s because they’re penned by the same author!

If you decide to bring your car across to Goshoura via ferry, it’s just a short 15-minute drive from Goshoura Port to the Karasutoge parking area.

Given the limited ferry service, it’s often more practical to travel without a car. In such cases, you might opt for a taxi or brace yourself for a 90-minute hike. Currently, the only way to the summit is via a paved road accessible by car, without any nature trails or hiking paths (as of March 2017).

If you’re curious to learn more about Karasutoge, reaching out to the Goshoura Tourist Product Hall Shiosai-kan (御所浦観光物産館 しおさい館) beforehand is a great idea (TEL: 0969-67-1234).

Essential Info on Lookout Point
Name: Karasutoge (烏峠)*
*Note that it is officially recognized by the Geographical Survey Institute as “Karasugatoge” (烏ヶ峠) so you may encouter it written in this way instead.
Location: Goshoura Town, Amakusa City (on Goshoura Island)
Elevation: 442.4 meters above sea level
Facilities: Parking lot, restroom, shelter, observation deck
Distance: About 6km from Goshoura Port
Travel Time (one way): 15 minutes by car or 90 minutes on foot
Taxi Fare: Approximately ¥3,700 for a round trip (this is a reference amount)
Guided Tours by Locals: Goshoura Geotourism guides will show you around.
Guide fee: ¥2,500 per group for about 70 minutes. Guides will join you in your private vehicle or the taxi you arrange at your expense. Walking tours are also available for ¥5,000, lasting about 4 hours.

Karasutoge Lookout (烏峠展望所)