Hachijōjima (八丈島) is an island in Tokyo prefecture, some 300 kilometers south of Tokyo city.
Understand
[edit]Tourist information site
[edit]The island and nearby uninhabited Hachijo-kojima ("small island") are administered as a municipality, Hachijo Town. The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.
Get in
[edit]By ferry
[edit]Tokaikisen operates a daily overnight ferry from Tokyo's Takeshiba pier, near the Daimon metro station. Leaving Tokyo at 22.30, and arriving 9.30 - prices vary seasonally but expect to pay around ¥9000 for a reclining seat.
By plane
[edit]ANA (All Nippon Airways) flies between Haneda airport in Tokyo and Hachijōjima up to four times a day. Prices vary seasonally, but expect to pay around ¥25,000-30,000 return. You can get around this by booking on the English version of the Japanese site. From this you will have access to the lowest fares.
Get around
[edit]
Most hotels have bikes for hire, and there are several rent a car agencies on the island.
See
[edit]
- 1 Uramigataki hot spring and waterfall. This is a free open air hot spring (onsen). The hot spring is mixed and you enter with swimming suit. After enjoying the hot water, take a short walk through lush forest to the nearby waterfall. If you feel a little adventurous, on the way to the waterfall, rock scramble the steep short path that will lead you to a small Shinto shrine.
Do
[edit]Hunt for glow in the dark mushrooms, diving, snorkeling, and trekking to secret waterfalls in the mountains.
- Sea Dive, 1309-13 Mitsune (next to the Anchor pub), ☏ +81 4996-2-5840. Is a good outfit, with a friendly staff, recommended by the guys at the Anchor pub. Little English is spoken, but they seem pretty acquainted dealing with foreign tourists.
- 1 Sokodo beach. A very popular beach for snorkeling with the local sea turtles. The beach is sheltered and has shallow reefs of beautiful hard coral and colourful subtropical fish.
- 2 Nazumado (ナズマド). This is the most popular dive spot. Entry is a little slippery and ropes are provided to help. The site features rich marine life and a scenic swim through.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]A very popular dish is shimazushi (島寿司) - a variation of sushi, featuring local raw fish dipped in soy-sauce that has mustard instead of wasabi.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- Sokodo-So (そこど荘), 100-1522 Mitsune (Just behind the anchor pub), ☏ +81 4996-2-0092, fax: +81 4996-2-0925, [email protected]. Check-in: 11.00, check-out: 10.00. Very nice place, with a pleasant atmosphere, and traditional style tatami rooms. The Friendly owners also rent out bikes as well as diving and snorkeling equipment. Singles from ¥6000.
- 1 Diver's Inn Kencha Rumah (ダイバーズイン ケンチャルマ), ☏ +81 80-5000-6611, [email protected]. Located in Okago town and near the airport, this accommodation offers accommodation and self-contained units. The place has a compressor and scuba tanks and is an ideal place for scuba divers. They can arrange bookings with local scuba diving shops, and they have a number of cars for rental. Free WiFi is provided.