Japan is a rare country that straddles comfortably between tradition and innovation, where it is not uncommon to find a century-old shrine in the vicinity of a towering skyscraper. Indeed, its bustling cities in the major tourist areas of Hokkaido, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka bewitch and dazzle foreigners with their dynamic energy and regal air of dignity. But what happens if you wish to experience another distinctive side of Japan, a side where Japan is neither tradition nor modernity, but yet fascinating all the same? As always, Japan has the solution for you! Read on to find our four lovely islands that will take your breath away!

Thanks to Yayoi Kusama's world-famous yellow polka-dotted pumpkin, Naoshima has made a name for itself, despite being a ferry ride away from Kagawa Prefecture in sleepy Shikoku. An island for art aficionados, Naoshima boasts various art museums that allow you to immerse yourself in all kinds of introspective and inspiring works. Here, the museums use the tranquil surroundings of Naoshima to their advantage: the Lee Ufan Museum cleverly engages natural sunlight to illuminate its masterpieces while the Benesse House Museum features sculptures along the sandy beach. Its appeal isn’t lost on the rest of Japan. Designated as a site for the Setouchi Triennale modern art festival, it is a wonderful place to have your soul be stirred by wonderful art!

Gunkanjima (Battleship Island), otherwise known as Hashima, was a mining town situated on an island a boat ride away from Nagasaki Prefecture. Blessed with plentiful coal deposits, it thrived as a prosperous town as the mining community there built so many reinforced-concrete apartments and industrial buildings that the island came to resemble the warship “Tosa”. The mine was abandoned in 1974, leaving the buildings to deteriorate under the natural elements. Nowadays, it is visited by curious travellers keen to explore the derelict, dilapidated buildings so that one can experience how it feels like to be on an abandoned island. And no wonder! Movies like the James Bond "Skyfall" (2013) have used Gunkanjima as a prime shooting site, which enhances the air of mystique!

If there’s one thing to be said about Sado Island, it’s that it’s chock full of natural attractions. Situated 45 kilometres off the coast of Niigata prefecture, it is a sight to behold with lush forests and sapphire seas. Hiking enthusiasts will surely relish the chance to soak in the raw beauty of Sado Island when they hike at Ishina Natural Cedar Walkway. Home to various unique birds and flowers, this walkway also features gigantic sugi (cedar) trees – some of which are over a thousand years old! Reminiscent of attention-grabbing scenes from a Studio Ghibli film, these sugi trees stand majestically against a stunning backdrop of verdant forests and are just the perfect scene for you to take tons of selfies for your Instagram account. Aside from natural scenery, Sado Island is also the place to explore for those interested to learn more about Japanese history. During the Edo era in the 17th and 18th centuries, not only was Sado Island highly prized as a gold and silver mining location, it was a place where traditional arts like Noh theatre as well as taiko drumming flourished. Hence, surely visiting Sado Kinzan Gold Mine to have a look at the revolutionary mining techniques on exhibit as well as catching a spiritual Noh performance would add priceless memories to your trip!

The only natural island that is found in the Tokyo Bay, Sarushima Island is an accessible 15 minute ferry ride from Mikasa Pier in Kanagawa Prefecture. It is an immensely popular beach spot for locals and foreigners alike come summer time, as the pristine sandy beaches and welcoming cool waters make a fine accompaniment to the bright sunny skies. Lighten your spirits with cozy barbeques and beach sports with dear family and friends. In fact, if you really want to have a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and Kanagawa, why not consider renting the entire island for a mere 70,000 yen during the winter season from December to February? In actual fact, Sarushima Island served as a strategic point of defense for the Japanese mainland and still retains charmingly old fortresses from the Edo, Meiji and Showa eras. So not only can you relax on the beaches, you can also see many interesting structures that are a testament to the passage of history!

Japan's appeal lies in its many islands, each with their distinctive feel. Apart from the above-mentioned islands of Naoshima, Gunkanjima, Sado Island and Sarushima, many other awesome islands abound: Aoshima, the Cat Island; Okunoshima, the Rabbit Island; and Yakushima, an island that provided the inspiration for Studio Ghibli's anime hit Princess Mononoke. Want to get a taste of Japan that is not present in her major cities? Why not stop by one of these islands on your next trip to Japan then?¹