Ikitsuki Island, Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Ikitsuki Sunset Way Driving the coastal road beside green cliffs in the evening
On Ikitsuki Sunset Way, the drive itself is part of the fun. One evening in early August, I followed the road beside the green cliffs as the summer light slowly softened.
Read about the views I found and my trip along Ikitsuki Sunset Way one evening in early August.
SummerAn evening in early August
An Evening Drive Along the Coast Beside Green Cliffs
I crossed Ikitsuki Bridge from Hirado Island and headed for the west side of Ikitsuki. It was time for an evening drive along Ikitsuki Sunset Way. With the top down in my red convertible, the evening breeze slipping through the sleeves of my white shirt felt different from the daytime air.
The road curved gently along a rocky slope covered in green. I looked ahead, both hands on the wheel, and followed each bend. Beyond the low cable barrier, the open sea stretched out before me.
Here, the cliffs and the East China Sea feel close enough to touch. Before I headed to the island, my friend had told me, “Leave plenty of time just to enjoy the drive, too.” Her words came back to me as I looked forward to the next bend.
Light from the August evening sun fell across the road ahead, making the edge of the windshield glow a little. The breeze stirred the sleeves of the shirt I wore over my pale-pink camisole. I could feel the island’s summer not only in the view, but on my skin.
I’ve heard Ikitsuki Sunset Way is also a filming location for car commercials. After the drive, the slopes, curves and sea came back to me in one long sweep. If I were telling my friend about it, I’d want to describe not only where I went, but what it felt like to drive that road.
I’d love to make time for flying-fish broth ramen on an island trip, too. At Taikiken in Ikitsuki, you can enjoy curly noodles with a broth made from flying fish roasted over charcoal and dried. It’d be lovely to take my time on the island, from a midday meal to an evening drive.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialty
Flying-Fish Broth Ramen
Taikiken’s ramen uses the island’s local specialty, flying fish, for its broth. The fish is roasted over charcoal and dried, and the soup comes with curly noodles. I’d love to try it as a meal on the island.
Highlights
Between the Cliffs and the Sea
On one side, a steep green slope climbs toward the mountains; on the other, the East China Sea stretches away. I love following the road as it curves along the coast.
A Summer Road in the Evening Light
As the sun sinks, its light falls differently across the car and the cliffs than it does at midday. Even after the drive, I can picture the sea and curves together.
Access and Coastal Views
From Hirado Bridge to Ikitsuki Sunset Way
- Getting Here by Car
- 35 minutes by car
- Views Along the Road
- Cliffs and the East China Sea
Cross Ikitsuki Bridge and follow the coastal road along the island’s west shore.
The 35-minute drive from Hirado Bridge is an estimate. I’d love to take in the cliffs and sea along the way.
More Spot Guides
If you enjoyed this story, you might like these places too. I've gone back to each of them in different seasons, again and again.
