This is my wildcard – a tiny off-the-beaten-track island, 563km south of Kagoshima city and 23km north of Okinawa’s main island, Yoron Island is technically part of Kagoshima Prefecture.

Yoron is an island- and beach-lover paradise, so laid-back that you’ll wonder if you’re in the same country that features cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. There are places to stay, eat and play - check out the island website.

Yoron is reasonably easy to get to, with flights from both Naha and Kagoshima, and one ferry each day heading both north and south.

I suggest taking the ferry as one of the great Japan adventures.

The ferries are run on alternate days by Marix Line and A Line - both run Kagoshima city / Amami-Ōshima / Tokunoshima / Okinoerabu-jima / Yoron / Naha and vice versa. You can get off for a day or two at each island - longer if you fall in love with these magic dots in the sea!

Further info