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Introducing Ogasawara-shotō
About 1000km out in the blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean, this far-flung outpost of Tokyo Prefecture is one of Japan’s most interesting destinations, a nature-lover’s paradise surrounded by clear tropical waters and coral reefs. Snorkelling, whale watching, dolphin swimming and hiking are all on the bill, as is simply lazing around on the great beaches.
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The only way to get here is by a 25-hour ferry ride from Tokyo. The ferry docks at Chichi-jima (; Father Island), the main island of the group (population 1938). A smaller ferry connects this island to Haha-jima (), the other inhabited island (population 462).
The islands see few Western visitors, despite the fact that the earliest inhabitants were Westerners who set up provisioning stations for whaling ships working the Japan whaling grounds. You still see the occasional Western family name and vaguely Western visage. You’ll also see disused gun emplacements at the ends of most of the islands’ beaches, built by the Japanese in hopes of repelling an anticipated Allied invasion in WWII (the big battles were fought further south on Iwo-jima).
Given the islands’ nature, history and location, a trip here is one of Japan’s great little adventures. When your boat sails from Chichi-jima and the entire island turns out to wave you off, you’ll know you’ve done something special.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
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