2026.01 A Journey to Discover Life’s Treasures on Tokyo’s Hidden Islands [PR]

Hachijojima: Wellness & Cultural Experiences to Rejuvenate Mind and Body with Nature’s Power

Located approximately 286 kilometers south of Tokyo in the Pacific Ocean, Hachijojima is a lush subtropical island embraced by two mountains. Its warm climate, blessed by the Kuroshio current, the deep, clear “Hachijo Blue” ocean, and its remarkable terrain sculpted by lava all create an experience that feels vividly immersive.

The island’s way of life, including the traditional woven fabric, Kihachijo, which has been passed down for generations, embodies the wisdom and aesthetic sensibility of people whose way of life has been shaped by nature. Here, you can experience a journey that satisfies all five senses, as nature, culture, and human warmth gently converge.

Cruise around Hachijo-kojima by Boat

Just 7.5 kilometers northwest of Hachijojima lies the uninhabited island of Hachijo-kojima floating quietly in the ocean. Sailing toward it and viewing the island from the sea envelops you in a sense of timeless stillness. Uninhabited since 1969, the island is surrounded by a primeval landscape where majestic cliffs and rock formations seem to melt into the sea.

Snorkeling: An Underwater Stroll with Sea Turtles

Snorkeling or scooter snorkeling in the crystal-clear Hachijo Blue is a captivating experience. Drifting alongside gracefully swimming sea turtles, time seems to merge with the sea, and these moving underwater moments can be memorialized in photographs.

The light and sounds beneath the water’s surface, combined with weightless silence, gently calm the mind—an experience that can be enjoyed even by beginners. 

Return to Yourself at Nanbara Senjojiki Retreat Yoga

At dusk, join a retreat yoga session on the expansive lawns beside the Nanbara Coast of Permian Rocks. As you gaze out at the surreal rock formations floating offshore and Hachijo-kojima beyond, with the sound of waves and the sea breeze all around, take a deep breath and feel your mind and body come into harmony with nature. Enjoy this quiet moment to end the day—a time to return to yourself.
 

Weaving Experience with Kihachijo, the Island’s Symbol

Don’t miss the chance to experience weaving Kihachijo, the symbol of the island and a nationally designated traditional craft. Using three colors of silk thread—yellow, reddish-yellow, and black—dyed from plants native to the island, you’ll create a small piece of fabric, approximately 12 cm×12 cm, under the guidance of a master weaver.
 

In each stitch, the colors of nature and the island’s sense of time breathe quietly. The experience of weaving your own original design provides a meditative moment to engage with traditional craftsmanship. Take home your finished piece as a personal keepsake, capturing Hachijojima’s wind and light along with the lingering memories of your journey.

Oshima: A Dynamic Volcanic Experience Where You Feel the Breath of the Earth
 

About 120 kilometers south of Tokyo lies Oshima, the largest among the Izu Islands—a “living island” where volcanic activity continues to this day.

Towering at the island’s center, Mt. Mihara (758 m) has shaped both the landscape and the lives of its people. Deep-black darkened earth, wind-carved cliffs, and layers of strata bearing the memory of past eruptions—here, you can physically feel what it means to live alongside nature.

Beyond its awe-inspiring scenery, the island’s unique wisdom also lives on in its food culture and techniques that make full use of the blessings of the volcanic environment.

Volcano-Painted Monochrome Scenery: Ura-Sabaku Desert Hiking

Stretching east of Mt. Mihara, the Ura-sabaku is Japan’s only desert, a vast land blanketed in black volcanic rock (scoria). The sweeping expanse of jet-black earth makes the blue of the sky and sea stand out with striking clarity.

As the wind moves around you, each step carries you into a world of silence where only your footsteps echo. In this extraordinary landscape, visitors cannot help but feel both the immense power of nature and the smallness of their own existence.

The Earth’s 15,000-Year Artwork
 

Following the path around the base of Mt. Mihara, a magnificent landscape that seems to hold the Earth’s own memory unfolds: the famous Great Road Cut, commonly known as “Baumkuchen”, one of the island’s most iconic landmarks.

Rising approximately 24 meters high and stretching about 630 meters long, the striped layers of strata were formed by repeated volcanic deposits over roughly 15,000 years. Their sculptural beauty is often described as the “growth rings of the Earth.”

Standing before this natural artwork shaped by time and the energy of fire, visitors instinctively sense their place within the vast scale of the planet. On Oshima, you can experience the drama woven by volcanoes, people, and time with all five senses.

Island-Exclusive Cuisine and Souvenirs
 

Savor the Sea’s Bounty, Nurtured by the Kuroshio Current, at the Island Table

The seas surrounding Hachijojima and Oshima are rich fishing grounds blessed by the Kuroshio current. Dishes featuring seasonal fish are prepared with minimal intervention, allowing the ingredients’ robust, natural flavors to shine. With each bite, the flavors evoke memories of the islands’ sea and air.

Gastronomic Experiences on Hachijojima and Oshima: Where Tradition Meets Creativity

To savor the fresh bounty of the sea found only on these islands, be sure to try the distinctive local sushi styles of Hachijojima and Izu Oshima.

A must-try on Hachijojima is the island specialty Shimazushi. This unique sushi features fish caught in nearby waters, marinated in a sweet soy-based sauce and served with zesty mustard, creating a unique flavor profile.
 

Hands-on programs are also available, where you can receive detailed instruction on everything from preparing vinegared rice to slicing sashimi and crafting your own sushi. These experiences are complemented by simple yet deeply flavorful dishes such as Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei)　tempura and fish ball soup, each telling a story of island life.

Meanwhile, Oshima is known for Bekko Sushi, named for the amber (bekko)-colored shine of the fish. Served with vinegared rice and seasoned not with wasabi but with island chili peppers or spicy soy sauce, it offers a piquant and spicy flavor. This local specialty beautifully reflects both the preservation wisdom unique to remote islands and the freshness of the catch.

Tasting Hachijojima’s Shimazushi alongside Oshima’s Bekko Sushi highlights how each island’s climate, topography, and culture shape its cuisine.
 

Furthermore, the islands’ other flavors, crafted to make the most of nature’s bounty, are equally appealing: Hachijo fruit lemons ripened to perfection on the tree, and mozzarella cheese and pudding made from freely raised Jersey cows.
The authentic taste woven together by the harmony of the volcanic islands’ natural features and human hands enriches the lingering memories of your journey.
 

The Story of Oshima Spun by Camellias: Camellia Oil

Oshima’s signature specialty is camellia oil. This natural oil, pressed from the seeds of the Japanese camellia (Yabutsubaki) native to the island, is renowned as a high-quality product suitable for both cooking and skincare.

At Takada , which has carried on the island’s camellia oil–making heritage for around 100 years, visitors can experience the traditional extraction method that uses a tamajime (stone-milled) press. This meticulous process reflects the pride and refined aesthetic sensibility of the island’s people.

Traveling by sea and air to the Izu Islands stretching south of Tokyo is part of the experience itself. Izu Oshima is accessible from Tokyo’s Takeshiba Pier via high-speed jet ferry or overnight large passenger ship. Utilizing technology that lifts the vessel above the water, the jet ferry offers a smooth and comfortable ride with minimal swaying. Alternatively, you can board a small propeller aircraft that reaches the island in just 25 minutes from Chofu Airport.

Hachijojima is also surprisingly accessible for an outlying island, whether by overnight passenger ship from Takeshiba Pier (approximately 10 hours) or by scheduled flights from Haneda Airport (about one hour).

*This article is based on a model tour project that uses business jets implemented by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. To foster vibrant and dynamic island regions, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is advancing branding initiatives that uncover and further refine the “treasures” and hidden charms of local resources, specialty products, history, and culture, and promote them widely.
 

Related Links