Kuniga Coast Cliff Trail (Matengai)

The Matengai cliff trail runs along the western coast of Nishinoshima in the Oki Islands, Shimane Prefecture, part of the Oki-Dogo Quasi-National Park. Access requires a ferry from Shichirui or Sakaiminato ports to Beppu Port on Nishinoshima (two to three hours), followed by a local bus or taxi to the trailhead near the Matengai cliff car park; no permit is needed. The path covers about 2.3 km one way from the clifftop pasture down toward the coast, with roughly 257 m of elevation change between the cliff top and sea level, and takes 60 to 90 minutes one way at an easy-to-moderate pace. The upper section crosses open grassy pasture grazed by cattle, with a wide dirt track and virtually no shade; this stretch is exposed to strong coastal winds and has no guardrails near the cliff edge, so hikers should stay well back from the rim, especially in wet or windy conditions. Lower sections descend through scrubby coastal vegetation toward rocky shoreline viewpoints. Key landmarks include the Matengai observation point, one of Japan's tallest sea cliffs at around 257 m, and grazing cattle pastures typical of the Oki Islands' traditional land use. Hikers who do not wish to descend fully to the coast can treat the main clifftop viewpoint, about 20 minutes from the car park, as a natural turn-around point. There are no water sources, shelters, or refuge huts along the trail; the nearest facilities are at the trailhead car park and in the town near Beppu Port. Weather changes quickly on the exposed clifftop, and fog can reduce visibility with little warning.