Kirk had asked me about the photo of deer on the beach in Akune, and I thought the response deserved a separate post. A 15-minute walk from the JR Orange Line station will bring you to Shin Akune Port, from which a 10-minute ferry ride, uh, ferries you to the uninhabited Akune Ooshima. It’s a rather large island but lacks water - hence, the “uninhabited” part. The island has been selected in both “Top 100 Coastal Pine Trees” and “Top 100 Beaches” sections of list-crazy Japan, but it’s also home to a large number of deer who say,“Hey, Hal, do you wanna eat grass, or shall we visit the tourists on the beach, who will feed us unhealthy snacks?”
One can guess how Hal responds.
There are facilities on the island, including lodging, but they are highly seasonal, though the island is open year-round. A call to their tourist center might be wise before a visit. Info is at the link. - William