Chapter 2 — Model course
Model courses
There is no right way to enjoy the island. But if you are unsure, start with this timetable. The trick is not to fill it up.
My kind of island time
Cross at midday, ride a loop of the island, choose a beer at the brewery, then cook dinner together in the kitchen of your house. We turned one two-day stay straight into a timetable.
Cross by ferry, ride around, and end up in the kitchen.
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11:55
Set off on the Gogoshima ferry to Yura Port
Board the Yura Port sailing at Takahama Port. Tickets are sold on board. Step out on deck and island time begins with the sea air.
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12:10 (approx.)
Arrive at Yura Port and pick up a rental bike
Once you land, sign for a rental bike at the Gogoshima Ferry Co. office by the port. Electric-assist is the one to take.
MemoLet your house know in advance and you can drop your bags there before check-in (from 11:00; cleaning is still under way, so keep valuables with you).
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12:20
Pick up a lunch box at Miki
Buy the day's bento at Miki, the bento shop beside the port. Ride to whichever beach you like and have lunch looking at the sea.
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12:30
Around Gogoshima by bike
Call in at Ishizuchi Shrine, or climb Mt. Kofuji. Even just riding slowly along the coast road, the island keeps changing on you.
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15:00
Stop by gogoshima beer farm
A brewery in a 150-year-old farmhouse: taste a craft beer and choose the bottles for tonight. Some of these beers exist only at this time of year.
MemoTasting your way along is fun, and it adds up. Pace yourself.
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15:30
Check in
Into the house, and a breath. Once the bags are open, take your time looking at the colors outside the window.
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16:00
Craft beer in hand, start on dinner
Everyone brings something, and deciding what to make is half the fun. Anything missing, pick it up at the supermarket near the port.
MemoBasic seasonings are in the house. For groceries, head to the A-Coop in Yura.
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19:30
A tipsy evening walk around the neighborhood
After dinner, wander around the harbor. There are few streetlights, so the stars and the waves come through all the better.
Island udon and fresh coffee, right up to the boat home.
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10:00
Check out
Get ready in the morning light. Check that nothing is left behind, and leave the house.
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11:00
Lunch at Shimaudon
A bowl with a proper broth, topped with the island's famous hijiki tempura. The sea is in front of you, with Mt. Kofuji straight ahead.
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12:00
Fresh coffee at Cotton John Coffee
One last cup at the coffee shop by the port. If you like it, you can buy the beans too.
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12:55
Coffee in hand, over to the souvenir machine
Look through the blue souvenir vending machine in front of Yura Port while you wait for the boat. When it comes into view, island time is over. Please come again.
MemoFerry times change with the season and the day of the week. Please check the Gogoshima Ferry timetable before you set out.
Half a day | A loop by bike.
For day trippers, the classic electric-bike route. About 21.6 km around, half a day with stops along the way.
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Land at Yura Port and start with a cup
Once you have your electric bike, have a coffee at Cotton John Coffee by the port. Plan your campaign over the island map.
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North, to Washigasu beach on the far side
Follow the coast toward Funakoshi. Beyond the shallow beach lie the Kutsuna Islands, and at low tide a “sand road” appears that you can walk out along.
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Back to Yura for a bowl of island udon
The famous bowl topped with hijiki tempura. The sea is in front of you, with Mt. Kofuji straight ahead.
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Finish at the brewery
On a weekend, call in at the taproom of gogoshima beer farm in its old farmhouse. Have a look at the blue souvenir machine by the port, then catch your boat.
MemoYura to Funakoshi is 20–25 minutes each way by bike. The south of the island, around Yuhi-ga-toge and Koibito-toge passes, is steeper, with narrow stretches and fallen leaves on the descents, so take it carefully.
Another two days | Island time, all of it.
Work, the hill, the sea. A slower plan, tilted toward a workcation.
Day 1
Cross on an afternoon sailing. Drop your bags at the house, then put in a stint at Space Gogoshima, the coworking space in front of Yura Port. If work is not calling, walk down to the beach instead.
Go and watch the sunset in the evening. In summer, Washigasu and Kitaura are the places to be.
Spend the evening at the house: a sushi chef who comes to you, a barbecue course from Shimaudon, party platters from Miki, or cooking for yourselves — see the dining page for the options. Note that the visiting sushi and the barbecue need to be booked several days ahead.
Day 2
In the morning, climb Mt. Kofuji. The trail from the Tomari Port side reaches the summit in about 30 minutes, and the islands of the Setouchi open out below.
Lunch on the beach or from a bento box. In summer, swim at Aikogahama and eat at the beach hut; in other seasons, take one of Miki's handmade bento to the beach of your choice.
Home on an afternoon sailing. Putting in one more stint at the coworking space before check-out is a very Gogoshima way to finish.
A base for this course.
The heart of the timetable is a whole-house rental you can walk to from the port. Choose between five, each with its own character.
See the houses