The Izu Islands (伊豆 諸島, Izu-shotō) or. Nanpo Islands (南方 諸島) form an elongated chain, the south of the eponymous Izu Peninsula on the Japanese Main island Honshu, extends over a thousand kilometers. The most distant group is also understood as Bonin or Ogasawara Islands (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011).
background
Administratively, the islands (島 ... shima means island) to Tokyo. From north to south they are called:
- 1 Izu Ōshima (伊豆 大 島). The largest of the islands.
- Niijima (新 島). 24 km² to Shikinejima (式 根 島), with the port of Nobushi.
- 2 Miyake-jima (三 宅 島). 55½ km². The island was evacuated for four years after a volcanic eruption in 2000, parts are still restricted area. Even today, only those who are in possession of a gas mask are allowed to stay there (sold in the ferry terminal).
- 3 Mikura-jima (御 蔵 島. ; 20½ km²; 350 pop.
- 4 Hachijōjima (八丈 島). 72.6 km², 8100 pop. Tourist information ☎ 04996 21377 and Hachijō-kojima (八丈 小島), which has been uninhabited since 1969.
Some smaller islands further south such as Torishima are uninhabited. The "widow's rock" Sofugan is just 350 m² in size, but is significant because of the surrounding “exclusive economic zone” under maritime law.
- Bonin Islands
Of the thirty or so islands are only inhabited
and
The islands were originally settled by shipwrecked Europeans. Japan did not raise claims until 1862, the first Japanese arrived in 1876. During World War II, when there was a naval station there, they were evacuated in 1944, only 130 native whites[1] were allowed to return under US administration. It wasn't until 1968 that the islands became Japanese again. Even today there is a base and a radio telescope there. The archipelago has been a national park since 1972.
Also Iwo Jima (硫黄島; 24 ° 47 ′ N, 141 ° 19 ′ E), which gained notoriety in the Second World War because of the battle there, belongs to this group of islands. Today it is only a military base and cannot be visited for tourists.
getting there
(Prices summer season 2017.)
Very few short-term tourists coming to Japan from abroad will undertake the long and / or expensive journey. There are heavily subsidized tickets for those living on the islands.
Foreign language skills are not to be expected among the largely rural population, but the well-known Japanese courtesy with accompanying willingness to help.
By plane
The Hachijōjima is from Tokyo Haneda by ANA approached. The islands can also be reached directly with the fan guns Shin Chūō Kōkū (NCA) Chofu several times a day in 25-45 minutes:
- Izu Ōshima (✈ IATA: OIM, ICAO: RJTO)
- Niijima
- Kōzushima (✈ ICAO: RJAN)
- Miyakejima (✈ IATA: MYE, ICAO: RJTQ)
- Hachijōjima (✈ IATA: HAC, ICAO: RJTH)
- Chichijima (✈ ICAO: RJAO) [no end of line]
- helicopter
The Tokyo Island Shuttle (☎ 04996-2-5222 only Japanese; 3 days minimum advance booking; 5 kg hand luggage) connects the six northern islands between Ōshima and Aogashima with each other by means of helicopters. The longest route costs ¥ 33,200.
By boat
The northern islands are served by ferries that leave Tokyo-Takeshiba (Hammamatsucho station), from the dock (竹 芝 客船 タ ー ミ ナ ル) at the “Rainbow Bridge,” (plan). There are the speedboats of the Tokai Kisen and regular ships. The new one put into service in 2014 Tachibana maru drives to Miyakejima-Mikurajima-Hachijojima. The Salvia maru only serves the islands of Miyakejima-Hachijojima.
In the summer season there are also departures from Tateyama (Chiba prefecture), Atami, Ito, Shimoda (Izu Peninsula) and others
The ferries to Niijima (overnight 8 hours; speedboat 2h20) also stop in Toshima and Shikinejima before continuing to Kōzushima. A ferry runs three times a day between Niijima and Shikinejima, which are close together.
Mikura-jima can be reached from Tokyo by ferry, which also serves Hachijōjima. From there on in 2½ hours to Aogashima it costs ¥ 2500.
- Bonin Islands
The Ogasawara Maru runs about once a week in 26 hours to Chichijima (cheapest cabin ¥ 22570; dormitory 11280; ☎ 03-3451-5171), also from Tokyo-Takeshiba to Futami on the island. With the Hahajima Maru there is daily connection to this island (from ¥ 4230).
mobility
- There are five on shima Bus routes. Motorbikes are available for rent right at the port in Okata (岡田) (only when the weather is nice). The largest place with a post office and ATM is Motomachi (元町).
- You move on Toshima on foot away.
- The bus on Niijima runs the only route three times a day for free. Bicycles can easily be rented on the island.
- Buses operate on Chichijima (Route and timetables. The single trip costs ¥ 200, day tickets 500).
- The Hahajima Tourist Information Office (☎ 04998-3-2300) refers to car and scooter rentals (¥ 3000 / day). The hiking path Minami-zaki Yūhodō to the southern tip of the island is shown.
Tourist Attractions
Only natural beauties, parts of Ōshima, Toshima, Niijima and Kōzushima belong to the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. You will generally hike in a calm atmosphere.
Practically all islands, being of volcanic origin, have several hot springs (Onsen) with the usual equipment in Japan.
- Ōshima
The volcano Mt. Mihara (三原 山) was last active in 1986. There is a volcano museum (火山 博物館). In the onsen of Motomachi, the Hama-no-yu (浜 の 湯; 13.00-19.00, with sea view) swimwear is compulsory. On the south side of the rocky Toushiki-no-hana (ト ウ シ キ の 鼻) you can swim in small, sheltered bays. A really nice beach, with lava sand, is about 5 km further at Suna-no-hama (砂 の 浜). Both can be reached by bus in the direction of Seminaa.
- Niijima
Attached to the temple Choei-ji there is a cemetery for the 118 exiles who died here during the Tokugawa era. The beaches are popular with windsurfers. Most of the hot springs are accessible for free. You can also see a local museum and one Glass blowing. Habushi-ura is a six kilometer long white sand beach. Mae-hama is on the other side of the island. Depending on the wind and swell, one or the other beach is more suitable for surfing or swimming. Yunohama Onsen (湯 の 浜 温泉) is free (24 hours). In the paid Mamashita you can also "bathe" in the hot sand from 10.00-22.00.
- Shikinejima
On the south coast there are three onsen close together, all of which are free and accessible 24 hours a day: Matsugashita Miyabiyu (松 が 下 雅 湯), Ashitsuki Onsen (足 付 温泉) as well as Jinata Onsen (地 鉈 温泉). The covered one is not far away Ikoi no Ie (式 根 島 温泉 憩 の 家; closed on Mondays, ¥ 200).
The three beaches all face northwest from the pier: Tomarikō-kaigan (泊 港 海岸), Naka-no-ura (中 の 浦 海岸) and Ō-ura (大 浦 海岸).
- Kozushima
Popular with divers. Outside of the season almost everything is closed (including accommodation). The path that leads to the onsen Akazaki Yūhodō Shiokaze-No-Michi (赤 崎 遊 歩 道 潮 風 の 道; free) is designed a bit like an adventure playground. The neat, chargeable Kōzu-shima onsen has three outdoor pools (closed on Mondays).
- Mikura-jima
Comparatively old forests, the volcano has been extinct for thousands of years and a waterfall over eighty meters high.
- Hachijōjima
Even before the Fukushima disaster, there were mushrooms glowing in the dark on the island. A special, expensive edible algae is also grown here on the lava above the sea, which takes on a purple color due to the soil. Held every weekend from early September to late November Kaiyūgyo Matsuri is more of a tourist market for local dried fish, etc. The coarse sandy beaches of Hachijōjima are not very exciting. Somewhat hidden in the forest, with a view of a waterfall that is it Urami-ga-taki onsen (裏 見 ケ 滝 温泉). From the port bus dir. Sueyoshi to stop Nakata-Shōten-mae, then about 15 minutes walk towards the sea. A bit further is the paid one Nakanogō Onsen Yasuragi-no-yu (中 之 郷 温泉 や す ら ぎ の 湯; closed Thursday).
- Aogashima
The island is Japanese Inaka ("Behind the forest") par excellence. The double crater of the volcano is worth seeing.[2] The local specialty is sea salt obtained by evaporation.
- Chichijima and Hahajima
Because of the unique fauna (e.g. giant squids, Architeuthis), most of the uninhabited islands are part of a nature park and have also been part of the world natural heritage for several years. Local fishermen are still legally allowed to take a small quota of the islands traditional source of protein, sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), for consumption, which are then used as Sashimi be served. Dolphin watching tours are offered.
The ones there beaches are not made of the dark lava sand common in Japan, but really fine and white. At the southern end of the east coast there are four beaches suitable for swimming: Kopete,Komiato Reachable with the hourly bus for ¥ 200 and a long way further that is only accessible on foot John as well as those only accessible by the lake Jinny Beach (jp .: Ōgi-ike, 扇 池). In the west there is one - Hatsuneura. It is remote on the steep coast and can only be reached on foot after a 45-minute hike. The beaches in the north are called Miyanohama and Sakaiura, where you can snorkel well. It can be reached by bus or a 20-30 minute walk from Futami. To protect the sensitive ecosystem, nearby Minamijima (南島) can only be visited daily by 100 guests accompanied by a guide (¥ 6000-10000).
The narrow beach on Hahajima Hōraine-kaigan corals are in front of them. From Kofuji you have beautiful views over the island at a height of 86 m. The beach at the southern tip is rocky.
accommodation
There aren't any on the islands youth hostel but mainly family-run pensions, so-called Minshuku. Knowledge of Japanese is almost essential there. Half-board is always available for around ¥ 7000 / 8000-10000.
Overview of the Camping places on Oshima (English with photos).
Free Tent sites is available in summer (July / August)
- on Oshima: Tōshiki Camp-jō (ト ウ シ キ キ ャ ン プ 場). Bus: Minami-kōkōmae.
- Shikinejima is available for free in July-August Oura-Campsite (大 浦 キ ャ ン プ 場) on the beach with a public toilet.
- In Niijima it is a few minutes from the beach Habushi-ura Camp-jo (羽 伏 浦 キ ャ ン プ 場), open June-Sept.
- Kozushima: Nagahama Camp-jo (長 浜 キ ャ ン プ 場) is close to the onsen.
On Hachijōjima the choice is on Minshuku comparatively large. The one between two beaches Sokodo Camp-jō (底 土 キ ャ ン プ 場) has cold showers. Free spaces are to be reserved at the tourist information office (☎ 04996−2−1377; mandatory !, Japanese only).
Futami, the port, is the only notable town on Chichijima. At the B-ship is this Tourist office (☎ 81-4998-2-2587), which also takes reservations. There are over sixty accommodations. Wild camping is prohibited on the island.
One points to Hahajima 14 accommodations out. The cheapest is probably that Anna Beach Hostel for just under ¥ 4380 m.F. up to 6380 HP in a double room.
- Upscale
The Ōshima Onsen Hotel for around ¥ 18,000 for an 11,000 for each additional person in the 8-10 Tatami-Room (16-20 m²). Non-guests can use the thermal baths for a fee.
health
The islands sit right at the junction of three continental plates. The great earthquake of 1923 had its epicenter directly below Ōshima. It is therefore essential to watch the warnings shown automatically on television even in the event of minor tremors. Should the locals start running inland, they should be followed without further consideration, there is then an acute tsunami warning! The official rule here is "everyone is next to himself!"
Venomous snakes live on some islands.
literature
Western travel guides mention the islands only marginally.
- Alaszewska, Jane; Music of shamans, weavers and exiles: an ethnomusicological study of the performing arts of the Southern Izu islands; London 2009 (SOAS; Diss.)
- Izu shichitō, Ogasawara; [Tōkyō] 1999 (JTB); 143 p .; ISBN 4-533-01166-7
- Randall, John E. (Ed.); Annotated checklist of the inshore fishes of the Ogasawara Islands; Tokyo 1997 (National Science Museum)
Web links
- Ogasawara Bibliography
- Hachijōjima info (only Japanese)
- Joint tourism appearance of the seven northern islands (Japanese only)
- ↑For their language, an English that is somewhat unique, see Long, Daniel; English on the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands; Durham, N.C. 2007 (Duke University Press); ISBN 978-0-8223-6671-3 .
- ↑Touring the Tiniest Town in Japan (2009)