REISEFÜHRER Island Hopping in Japan The Japanese archipelago is made up of 14,125 islands to explore

Japan is made up of 14,125 islands. The country stretches from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north all the way down to the East China Sea in the south. Japan's north-to-south geography allows for great diversity in climate and ecosystems. The northern islands are known for snowy winters, cooler summers, and forests, hot springs, and breathtaking views. Down south, the islands are tropical, with calm, blue waters and warm temperatures. The southern islands of Okinawa are a perfect beach destination year round. Japan's transportation infrastructure is excellent and transport between Japan's many islands is quite easy. Between trains, buses, ferries, and airplanes, you have access to all of the nooks and crannies of Japan's many islands.

Before Okinawa Prefecture was formed in 1879, it was an independent country known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. Ryukyu culture is alive and well and is one of the reasons Okinawa is so distinctive. This distinction is perhaps most evident in its incredible food culture which is quite different from that of mainland Japan.

Okinawa's beaches are beautiful year round, with clear waters filled with tropical fish. It is Japan's premier destination for relaxing on the beach, snorkeling and hiking. Naha, the capital of Okinawa, can be reached by plane from anywhere in Japan. From Naha , you can get around the various islands by boat, bus or plane. Kerama Islands is a chain of islands about 40 kilometers west of Okinawa Island and can be accessed by a one-hour boat from Tomari Port in Naha. If you're looking to get even further away from the big city, visit Ishigaki Island or Miyako Island by plane. Miyako Island is home to some of the most idyllic beaches in Japan. Explore Ishigaki Island, one of the larger islands in the Yaeyama Islands chain, by rental car. From Ishigaki Island , you can take a high-speed boat to Hateruma Island , the southernmost inhabited island in Japan.

If you're visiting Tokyo, island hopping is still an option. Odaiba is a man-made island and entertainment district, home to plenty of shopping and dining. There's even a tiny beach where you can take in pretty views of the city. For a tropical getaway, take a boat or plane to the Izu Islands, sometimes known as the Tokyo Islands, as they are part of the administration of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. There are nine islands in the chain with Oshima Island being the largest. The Ogasawara islands are 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo and have year-round warm weather, beautiful beaches and some of the best snorkeling in Japan.

During the Edo period (1603-1867), the islands were a place where criminals were exiled. You can access them by plane or ferry from Tokyo. Ogasawara Island , or Bonin Island, is famous for the scale of wildlife in the waters around the island, including whales and dolphins. Izu Islands have beautiful beaches and mountains.

Yakushima Island is a tiny island that is part of Kagoshima Prefecture, famous for dense cedar forests and incredible hiking. The island is home to Nagata Inakahama Beach , with seasonal loggerhead turtle nesting grounds. Walking on the Arakawa Trail, which winds through the island, is a great way to explore. Flights from Osaka or Fukuoka depart to Yakushima daily. From other parts of Japan, take a ferry from Kagoshima to Yakushima Island.

Neighboring Tanegashima Island also has plenty to explore. Unlike mountainous Yakushima Island, Tanegashima Island is flatter and is a great spot to enjoy the beach. This island is where the first firearms were introduced to Japan by the Portuguese. The guns are on display at the Tanegashima Kaihatsu Sogo Center. To see some of Japan's modern technology, visit the Tanegashima Space Center , the largest rocket-launch complex in Japan. The island can be accessed from Kagoshima or Yakushima by ferry.

Not all of Japan's islands are beach destinations. Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost island, with unspoiled nature. Winters are snowy and cold, and the sea can freeze. In the summer it is cooler than other parts of the country. It attracts tourists, cyclists, skiers and snowboarders with its unspoiled beauty. Off the coast of Okayama is Naoshima Island. This tiny island is the artistic heart of the Setonaikai Sea. It is home to four museums designed by acclaimed architect Tadao Ando. Neighboring Teshima Island and Inujima Island also feature museums and outdoor sculptures. Ferries between the islands run daily.

Off the coast of Niigata is Sado Island, which features the Earth Celebration, a music festival hosted by a local Kodo Taiko group. Ferries depart from Niigata Port daily. Lying off the coast of Nagasaki is the uninhabited island of Hashima, known as Gunkanjima , or battleship island. The island's undersea coal mines were a key factor in Japan's rapid industrialization. Access to the island reopened in 2009 exclusively to tour groups. Tours depart daily by ferry from Nagasaki.

While many of these islands are in remote locations, you can reach them easily from major cities. Flights to Naha depart daily from many airports in Japan. From Naha, ferries, high-speed boats and planes give access to the many smaller islands of Okinawa. Reach the islands of Kyushu using ferries departing from Kagoshima. Get to Kagoshima by shinkansen (bullet train) or plane from most major Japanese cities. The islands of the Setonaikai Sea can be reached from Okayama by ferry daily. Take the shinkansen or an airplane from a major city to get to Okayama. Sapporo is the principal city in Hokkaido, and there are many domestic and some international flights to New Chitose Airport, which is close to the city. Get around Hokkaido by train, bus or rental car.