Battle of Tsushima Strait and the Naval Battle of the Sea of Japan Monument
Echoes of History: The Battle of Tsushima Monument
Uni Island: A Restricted Island of Military Significance near Tsushima
A strategically important island in Tsushima, serving as a key military base with a rich history, though restricted to the public.
Uni Island, located in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, is a state-owned island serving as a military base for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. While access is restricted to military personnel, its strategic importance and unique history make it a notable, albeit inaccessible, landmark.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Uni Island
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
Kamitsushimamachi Waniura, Tsushima, Kamitsushimamachi Waniura, Nagasaki, JP
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Getting There
Ferry
Uni Island is not accessible to the general public due to its status as a military base. However, to reach the vicinity of Uni Island, one would typically start from Tsushima Island. Ferries are available from Hakata Port in Fukuoka to Izuhara Port or Hitakatsu Port in Tsushima. From either port, local transportation would be needed to reach the Kamitsushimamachi Waniura area, the closest accessible point to Uni Island. Note that there is no public ferry service to Uni Island itself. Ferry fares from Fukuoka to Tsushima range from ¥5,300 to ¥6,330.
Local tips
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Respect the island's restricted status; access is not permitted for the general public.
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Learn about Tsushima's history and culture in nearby towns, as Uni Island itself offers no tourist facilities.
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Consider visiting during the Itobatago Festival in Waniura for a rare glimpse of the island (subject to permission).
Discover more about Uni Island
Uni Island, or 海栗島 in Japanese, is a small island located in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, positioned on the maritime border between Japan and South Korea. Its location holds strategic significance, lying in the Tsushima Strait.The entire island is state-owned and serves as a base for the Air Self-Defense Force, specifically the 19th Vigilance Team of the Western Air Vigilance Control Regiment under the Western Air Front. Due to its military function, public access is prohibited.Historically, Uni Island has been a military outpost since 1903 when the Imperial Japanese Army Ministry established a radio base there. In 1935, the Uni Island Battery was completed, and it remained a military base until the end of World War II. After the war, it was briefly used as agricultural land before being re-established as a military site in 1955.The island's name, which translates to 'sea urchin island', comes from the abundance of sea urchins found in the surrounding waters. Although generally off-limits, villagers from nearby Waniura are sometimes permitted to visit the island for the Itobatago Festival, with transportation provided by the Self-Defense Forces.
A brief summary to Uni Island
Use Uni Island as your starting point for nearby food, family ideas, nightlife, and more local discoveries.
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