A Guide to Tokyo’s Tropical Pacific Izu Islands

Unbeknownst to most visitors, Tokyo actually has a string of tropical Pacific islands some of which stretch as far as over 300 kilometers away from the capital. Even the outer-lying islands are still governed by Tokyo however, and you can choose between either flying from Chofu or Haneda Airport or by taking a boat to get to them. A far cry from the busy city life, they provide a well-needed escape from the energetic metropolitan pace while offering a slice of adventure and taste of local Pacific island life, not to forget some of the incredible scenery these islands hold.

There's a total of nine inhabited islands in the archipelago that you can reach, being Oshima, Toshima, Niijima, Shikinejima, Kozushima, Miyakejima, Mikurajima, Hachijojima and Aogashima. Most of the islands have airports that have regular commercial flights traveling from Tokyo, it's usually quite a bit more expensive than taking a ferry but you'll save much more time.

Oshima

The largest and closest of the islands to Tokyo, Oshima is great for those that don't have a lot of time and just want to visit one of the islands, there's enough to do here to easily fill a few day's itinerary. It's also often the first stop for people that are island-hopping around the archipelago. The main attractions here are the huge volcanic crater of Mount Mihara and the surrounding black desert along with the numerous hot springs powered from the volcanic heating. High speed ferries get to the island from Tokyo's Takeshiba Ferry Terminal in just two hours, compared to the regular ferry which takes about six hours. You can also choose to fly there from Chofu Airport which takes just under half an hour.

Niijima

If you're looking for some beautiful beaches at a short stretch from the capital, Niijima and the adjacent Shikine-jima both contain some pristine Pacific sands and azure waters that makes for some perfect relaxation time. Although it's close to one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the world, the island is hardly crowded even in the summer season, though some beaches can get a little busy at times.

Miyake-jima

Not quite everyone's cup of tea, Miyake-jima is less about relaxing on an island of paradise and more about the thrill. The island is actually full of toxic gases coming from the highly active volcano that takes up most of its area. Residents are required to carry gas masks at all times and alarms sound if the toxic levels become harmful. Unlike the other islands, the beaches here are black sand from the volcanic rock and while they're not exactly ideal for sunbathing, there's a unique picturesque charm to them. The island and its surrounding waters is also a popular spot for diving with dolphins that often swim around its shores.

Hachijojima

One of the most popular of the Izu Islands, Hachijojima might be a little far but it's well worth the extra effort to get there, there's plenty of reasons to visit this incredible Pacific island. Covered with dense forests and impressive mountains and volcanoes, Hachijojima is a natural paradise of beautiful landscapes and full of adventure. With hardly any light pollution from the few houses on the island, it's also hugely popular as a getaway for star-gazing and astrophotography. It takes just under an hour to fly from Haneda Airport and around eleven hours via overnight ferry from Tokyo.

Mikura-shima

Another popular spot for basing trips for swimming with dolphins, Mikura-shima has around 160 of the aquatic creatures living around its shores, meaning chances of seeing them are pretty high. If you want to book a tour for swimming with them make sure to do so well in advance as it can often be booked up quite fast. Mikura-shima takes about seven and a half hours by overnight ferry from Tokyo. There's no airport on the island, but you can choose to fly to the nearby Miyakejima and get a short ferry ride there.

Aogashima

Literally a volcano crater popping out of the pacific ocean so epic it looks like it should be the base of a Bond villain, Aogashima is absolutely incredible when viewed from above by helicopter which is how most people reach the island. It's not exactly easy to get here, you'll need to head to Hachijojima first and either take a ferry or book a helicopter ride in advance. Be aware that the ferries don't run everyday and can often be cancelled, it's highly recommend to take a helicopter ride for at least one leg of the journey to get an overview of the fascinating island.

Kozushima

The furthest west of the islands, Kozushima is also known for its beautiful beaches, dotted around its dramatic rocky coastline. The surrounding waters are a stunning turquoise color, perfect for snorkeling and diving. Head to Maehama Beach for some pristine white sands stretching a kilometer down the coastline. You can choose to either fly from Tokyo's Chofu Airport, take a high-speed ferry that takes four hours, or the cheaper slower service that gets there in twelve hours. Apart from Tokyo, it's also possible to travel there from Shimoda in the Izu Peninsula, which usually takes around two to three hours to get there.

Conclusion

The Izu Islands might not be quite as popular as other summer hot spots in Japan like Okinawa and the Shonan coastline, but each of the islands offer unique scenery and activities you won't find further south.