Complete Guide to Tokyo’s Remote Islands: What To Do and Where To Stay

When you think of Tokyo you usually imagine crowded streets, busy stations, towering skyscrapers, and convenience stores glowing at midnight. But there’s a side of the Tokyo Metropolitan area that most people miss - a chain of remote islands stretching south into the Pacific. These islands are famous for their volcanic mountains, black-sand beaches, crystal-clear water, subtropical forests, starry-night skies, and ferry journeys that make the city feel much farther away than it really is.

Tokyo’s islands are usually divided into two groups: the Izu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands. The Izu Islands include destinations such as Oshima, Niijima, and Toshima. Further south, the Ogasawara Islands include Chichijima and Hahajima, known for their remote setting and distinctive natural environment. There are 11 inhabited islands in total, each with its own distinct character.

For those wanting more than the usual Tokyo highlights, the islands offer a very different side of the capital. Some can be reached in a few hours by ferry or plane, while others require a full overnight or 24-hour sea journey.

The Izu Island chain stretches south from Tokyo into the Pacific Ocean. Some of the islands in the chain can be reached by high-speed ferry or plane, making them realistic for a short trip, while others require more time, planning, and flexibility.

Oshima is the largest and easiest of the Izu Islands to visit, making it a natural starting point for first-timers. Mount Mihara, a 2,486-feet (758-meter) tall active volcano, shapes the island with hiking trails, lava fields, and wide views across the sea. 

The island is also known for camellias, black-sand beaches, coastal hot springs, and a relaxed island-town atmosphere.

Oshima can be reached by high-speed jet ferry or overnight ferry from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo, or by plane from Chofu Airport.

Toshima Island

Toshima is a small island known for its wild scenery, camellia forests, and dolphin watching. It feels much quieter than Oshima, with fewer facilities and a stronger sense of remoteness. Travelers come here for nature, ocean activities, and a slower village atmosphere rather than a packed sightseeing list.

Toshima can be reached by ferry from Takeshiba Pier, usually on routes continuing toward the southern Izu Islands, as well as a ferry from Shimoda in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Niijima Island

Niijima has one of the most beach-oriented personalities of the Izu Islands. It is known for pale sand, dedicated surf culture, clear water, and a laid-back summer mood that feels very different from central Tokyo. Habushiura Coast is one of its signature beaches, while the island’s white stone, moyai statues, and outdoor hot spring facilities give it a distinctive look and feel.

Niijima can be reached by high-speed jet ferry or overnight ferry from Takeshiba Pier, or by plane from Chofu Airport.

Shikinejima Island

Shikinejima Island is smaller and calmer than nearby Niijima, with rocky coves, clear water, snorkeling spots, and coastal hot springs. It is a good choice for travelers who want an easygoing island stay built around swimming, walking, soaking, cycling, and simple seaside scenery. The island’s compact size makes it feel manageable, especially for a short overnight trip.

Shikinejima can be reached by ferry from Takeshiba Pier, and it is also connected to nearby Niijima by inter-island boat services.

Kozushima Island

Kozushima is one of the most scenic Izu Islands, with clear blue water, white beaches, a large boardwalk, a rugged coastline, and hiking around Mount Tenjo. The island is also known for stargazing, making it a strong option for travelers who want nature during the day and a quiet sky at night. It feels less resort-like than Niijima, but still has enough variety for beaches, walks, and viewpoints.

Kozushima can be reached by high-speed jet ferry or overnight ferry from Takeshiba Pier, a ferry from Shimoda, or by plane from Chofu Airport.

Miyakejima Island

Miyakejima is a volcanic island with a wilder, more dramatic atmosphere. Eruptions have shaped its landscape, leaving lava fields, coastal cliffs, birdwatching areas, and rugged walking routes. It is especially appealing for travelers interested in geology, diving, fishing, and island nature that feels less polished.

Miyakejima can be reached by overnight ferry from Takeshiba Pier, or by plane from Chofu Airport.

Mikurajima Island

Mikurajima is best known for wild dolphins. The island has steep forested slopes, limited flat land, and a very nature-focused travel style. Many visitors come for dolphin swimming tours, but the island also has dense forests, walking trails, and a remote atmosphere that requires more planning than the easier Izu Islands.

You can reach Mikurashima by overnight ferry from Takeshiba Pier, often on the same route as Miyakejima.

Hachijojima Island

Hachijojima Island sits farther south and has a subtropical feel, with volcanic peaks, hot springs, coastal roads, diving spots, and lush green scenery. It is one of the best Tokyo islands for diving and for those who want a fuller itinerary, as you can rent a car, visit viewpoints, soak in hot springs, try local food, and stay for a few days without running out of things to do.

Hachijojima can be reached by overnight ferry from Takeshiba Pier or by plane from Haneda Airport.

Aogashima Island

Aogashima is one of Tokyo’s most remote inhabited islands and one of the most visually striking. The island sits inside a volcanic crater, with a smaller cone rising inside the larger caldera. It is not an easy destination to get to, but that is part of the appeal for travelers who want somewhere genuinely remote, quiet, and more rewarding than most other places to visit in Japan.

Aogashima is usually reached from Hachijojima by helicopter or ferry, usually with a transfer on Hachijojima Island, though access is highly weather-dependent.

The Ogasawara Islands sit much farther south than the Izu Islands and feel like a true expedition from Tokyo. There are no airports, so travelers reach the main island by long-distance ferry from Takeshiba Pier. The journey takes planning, but the reward is clear water, subtropical forests, whale and dolphin watching, diving, hiking, and wildlife found nowhere else in Japan.

Chichijima is the main gateway to the Ogasawara Islands. The island is known for clear water, boat tours, snorkeling, diving, hiking, beaches, whale watching, dolphin encounters, and a natural environment that feels far removed from the mainland. The long journey means most visitors stay several nights and plan their trip around the ferry schedule.

Chichijima can be reached by the Ogasawara Maru ferry from Takeshiba Pier, with the journey taking at minimum 24-hours.

Hahajima Island

Hahajima is even quieter than Chichijima and feels like a deeper step into the Ogasawara Islands. It is known for forest walks, remote beaches, and endemic wildlife. Travelers who make it here are usually looking for nature, quiet, and a more far-flung experience than Chichijima alone can offer.

Hahajima can be reached by ferry from Chichijima, so travelers first need to take the Ogasawara Maru Ferry from Tokyo to Chichijima Island before continuing onward.