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Ogasawara Islands

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The Ogasawara Islands (小笠原諸島 Ogasawara Shotō) [1] are a small archipelago, administratively part of Tokyo but about 1000 km away from the city. They are also known as the Bonin Islands, and many fierce battles were fought in the area during World War II, most notably at Iwo Jima (硫黄島 Iōtō).

Culture and History

The Ogasawara Islands are about 1000 km away from Tokyo. They are made up of some 20 islands in the subtropical zone but only Chichijima (父島 "Father Island") and Hahajima (母島 "Mother Island") are inhabited. Almost the whole area of the islands is included in the Ogasawara National Park, which is full of beautiful nature. You can visit the marine park as well. This is an area known for whale watching. Although the access to the islands is limited to ship, it is always highly popular among tourists.

Travel to Ogasawara Islands - Visa Requirements

There are no airports in the islands, so transportation is limited to Ogasawara Kaiun [2] ferries from Takeshiba, Tokyo to Chichijima. The ferry runs every three days in each direction and takes 25.5 hours one way in good weather, but longer if the sea is rough (and it often is). One-way tickets start from ¥29,250.

Tours and Getting around Ogasawara Islands

A public bus runs around Chichijima several times daily, connecting most points of interest. Single fare ¥300.

The Hahajima-maru, also operated by Ogasawara Kaiun, runs between Chichijima and Hahajima roughly every other day, with services timed to meet the ferry to/from the mainland. The trip takes about two hours.

There is no regular service to any of the other islands, although the Mukojima group to the north of Chichijima is occasionally visited by charters. World War II sites like Iwo Jima are dangerous due to unexploded ordinance and thus off limits without a permit.