Vol. 7: DISCOVERING TOKYO’S ISLAND An Expedition of a Lifetime

Welcome to TOKYO BEAT – a special series by your trusty Tokyo Tourism Representative (New York Office) that aims to provide you with story ideas and inspiration. Did you know that Tokyo has its own chain of islands? While the mere mention of the city never fails to conjure up images of a vast metropolis, Tokyo’s Izu islands - a collection of volcanic islands south of the mainland - offer a variety of getaways for both residents and visitors. Here’s a handy overview to help chart a course through these destinations.

Immersive Nature A total of 9 inhabited islands complete the primary chain of Izu islands, along with another 30 outliers. Oshima, the largest of all the islands, offers a volcanic terrain that is ideal for hiking and cycling, views from atop a mountain that stretch as far as Mt. Fuji back on the mainland, and is also brimming with onsen hot springs. A little further south is Toshima, which is known for its Camellia trees and pristine waters that have more recently become home to a small school of dolphins. Niijima presents a nearly 4-mile long white sandy beach, great surfing, and the public Yunohama Hot Springs that is free to access. And tiny Shikinejima is an idyllic, isolated spot to relax and unwind, with its secret onsen that hits the right temperature for a few hours a day when it mixes with seawater from high tide.

Seabound Surprises While a majority of the islands offer a wide variety of outdoor activities on both land and water, travelers who enjoy diving, snorkeling, and other water sports head even further south to places like Kozushima, which is known for its pristine blue waters and excellent surfing and diving spots. The coral reefs and marine life surrounding Miyakejima are a remarkable sight for divers to behold. But for dolphin watching, nothing beats Mikurajima, as the nearly 120 dolphins that live there become the perfect companions for the guided snorkeling tours that are available.

The Spoils of Dedication Making the journey even further south reveals even more surprises. Hachijojima, the farthest island still accessible by ferry from Tokyo, is infamous for its history as a penal colony during the Edo period. These days it draws crowds for its attractions like the Hachijojima History and Folk Museum and Furusato Mura, a recreation of a traditional village, as well as many onsen that dot the island. The ultimate nature excursion may still be Aogashima, with its volcano within a volcano. Accessible only by ferry from Hachijojima, it is considered one of the hardest places to get to in Japan, and offers vast night sky views filled with glittering stars that would humble even the most seasoned nature enthusiast.

But wait, there more. The Ogasawara Islands, which is a set of 30 islands that are 621-miles south of Tokyo, are even more remote. This magnificent ‘Galapagos of the Orient’ – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011 – is filled with unique flora and fauna, wildlife, and sea creatures ranging from manta rays to sea turtles, dolphins, and whales. Dive into the waters off ofChichijima, or book a tour of Iwojima (locally known as ‘Io Tō’) to visit where the American flag was raised after the decisive battle of WWII.

Travel Options and Accommodations Wherever one chooses to go, most of Tokyo’s islands in general are sparsely populated and don’t have a surfeit of hotels and traditional guest houses. What some do have, however, are camping grounds, so bringing a tent is something many travelers add to their island hopping adventure. The budget conscious can also skip costly planes, helicopters, jet ferries, and instead opt for passenger ferries that do overnight trips that take 10 to 12 hours, but allow travelers to wake up to spectacular views of the ocean. Take note, however, that return trips happen during the daytime.

For more information regarding island getaways in Toyko, contact press@tokyo-nyc.com or call 917-200-4887. For general information on traveling in Tokyo, head to TokyoTokyo.jp and Gotokyo.org/en/