Ogasawara Islands 小笠原諸島

Located approximately 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo, the Ogasawara Islands are a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. Chichijima Island and Hahajima Island are the only islands in the archipelago that are inhabited.

The journey to the islands takes 24 hours but is well worth it. On the Ogasawara Islands, you can enjoy getting back to nature with hiking trails, whale watching and sandy beaches.

Located in the waters south of Tokyo, the Ogasawara Islands are accessible by a 24-hour-long ferry from central Tokyo.

Take the Ogasawara-Maru Ferry from Takeshiba Terminal in Tokyo to Futami Port on Chichijima Island . The trip takes 24 hours, and you can enjoy the views of Tokyo Bay and the other islands you pass. From there, take a second ferry to Oki Port on Hahajima Island if you wish to explore further.

Although the Ogasawara Islands are administered by Tokyo, they are a world away from the city. Chichijima Island is well known for its gorgeous, sandy beaches. Visit Miyanohama Beach to the north of the island for snorkeling, or swim around a submerged shipwreck off Sakiura Beach in Futami Bay.

Not only the islands themselves, but also the waters around them are populated with wildlife. A natural habitat for dolphins and whales, you can take part in dolphin and whale watching tours from Chichijima Island . See humpback whales from February to March, and sperm whales from May to November.

As a very special natural environment, it is essential that the ecosystems of the islands are preserved. As such, there are various points to keep in mind when visiting the islands.

Visitors must stick to the paths, and be mindful not to collect or otherwise damage any plants or wildlife on the island. Conscious ecotourism is essential to preserve the legacy of the Ogasawara Islands and helps the environment of the islands remain unspoiled.

The uninhabited Minamijima Island is famous for its unusual natural features, such as a striking rock arch. A breeding ground for seabirds and sea turtles, the island is a geological formation known as submerged karst topography, exemplified by the pointed rock formations seen around the coast.