Lifestyle and Traditions
An ancient culture that continues to live
These volcanic islands created six million years ago have been inhabited since ancient times. Stone artifacts such as arrow heads made from Oki obsidian as long as 30,000 years ago have been discovered around the islands.
The culture of the islands stretches back from these ancient times, to the early Middle Ages when Oki became islands of remote exile where nobles such as two emperors were sent. Later in the early modern period, the islands became an essential port of call for merchant ships travelling along the Kita-mae-bune Trading Route. This history has fostered a diverse and rich culture on the Oki Islands.
Vestiges of the ancient past still linger in the vibrant culture of the Oki Islands. These traditions have been preserved to this day by the simple-living island people.