Hachijo Island (Hachijojima) is located inside the southern part of the Izu Archipelago, resembles the form of a gourd and lies about 290 kilometers south of valuable Tokyo. A flight from Haneda Airport will take you there in about an hour. The island is domestic to subtropical flora together with the Robinia tree and hibiscus, and in early spring, the Freesia Festival is held here.
Hiking around Mount Hachijo-Fuji and Mount Mihara, in addition to diving inside the deep blue sea referred to as "Hachijo Blue," are popular sports. There are several spots to experience sunsets, nighttime perspectives, and stargazing. Visitors can also immerse themselves in tropical island lifestyles and traditions, including experiencing the art of weaving yellow Hachijo textiles and participating in neighborhood festivals.
Map of Hachijo Island
| Name | Hachijo Island (Hachijojima) (Japanese: 八丈島) |
| Country | Japan |
| Prefecture | Tokyo |
| Coordinates | 33°06′34″N 139°47′29″E |
| Area | 62.52 km2 (24.14 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC +9 |
| Population | 7,053 |
| Airport | Hachijojima Airport |
History of Hachijo Island
Another reason Hachijo Island is famous is as the number one filming region for director Kinji Fukasaku's final painting, "Battle Royale," which is famous among film fanatics. From a pilgrimage perspective, many actors who portrayed the "unlucky" college students decided to "Battle Royale," consisting of Tatsuya Fujiwara, Masanobu Ando, Yuki Shibasaki, and Chiaki Kuriyama, who later became prominent stars in the film enterprise. Consequently, Hachijo Island has numerous superstar footprints. The preference for Hachijo Island because of the placement for "Battle Royale," a social satire wherein afflicted college students are exiled to a deserted island and pressured right into a deadly recreation, may additionally have drawn on historical elements. Before Hachijo Island became known as "Little Hawaii" in the eyes of the Japanese, it became a well-known exile island, a herbal jail three hundred kilometers away from the mainland used for confining political prisoners.
The maximum well-known exile/political prisoner in the records of Hachijo Island was Ukita Hideie, a distinguished determine for the duration of the Sengoku period. Ukita Hideie became adopted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in his youngsters (and in addition adopted the "Hide" individual in his name) and observed Toyotomi Hideyoshi into battles, in the end turning into a chancellor and one of the Five Elders of the Toyotomi extended family. However, after Toyotomi Hideyoshi's demise, Tokugawa Ieyasu rose to electricity, and the Toyotomi clan, including Ukita Hideie, suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Sekigahara. Ironically, Ukita Hideie, who had loyally served as the deputy commander of the Western Army, saw his domain entirely seized by using Kobayakawa Hideaki, a traitor to the Toyotomi clan (and additionally an adopted son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi). Although the Toyotomi clan was defeated, the Tokugawa shogunate, wary of the influential former retainers and the half of Toyotomi-blooded Ukita Hideie, could not execute him. Instead, they exiled him to Hachijo Island, where he was imprisoned for almost 50 years till his death in 1655.
Getting to Hachijo Island
It takes about 55 minutes by plane from Haneda Airport.
Alternatively, you can take an overnight ferry from Takeshiba Bridge in Minato City, and you’ll arrive at Hachijo Island the following morning.
Transportation on Hachijo Island
There are no trains or subways on Hachijo Island, but buses and taxis are available. Most residents on the island own their cars, and children often ride bicycles.
Fascinating Tourist Attractions on Hachijo Island
Hachijo Fuji (八丈富士)
Hachijo Island is a gourd-shaped island formed by the connection of two underwater volcanoes—Mount Hachijo-Fuji and Mount Mihara.
While hiking, you can take in the vibrant natural scenery of Mount Mihara, surrounded by majestic valleys, with the main highlight being the "Ōhachi-meguri (お鉢めぐり)," a trail that circles the volcanic crater at the summit of Mount Hachijo-Fuji.
Towering on the western side, Hachijo Fuji is the highest peak in the Izu Archipelago, standing at 854 meters. Its magnificent shape, stretching from the summit to the base, bears a striking resemblance to Mount Fuji.
The summit boasts a massive crater on its cliffs, and circling it takes about an hour. Overlooking the trees and ponds within, the "Ōhachi Tour" is quite impressive. From here, you can enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the sea and the surrounding townscape, and on clear days, you may even catch a glimpse of Hachijo-Kojima. About a 10-minute walk from Ōhime-meguri brings you to the Asama Shrine, nestled within a forest.
At the seventh station of Hachijo Fuji, there’s a loop road offering a pleasant drive with scenic views.
Uramiga Falls (裏見ヶ滝)
The waterfall formed where the Mihara River intersects with the irrigation channels of Nakano Village is known as "Satomi Falls(裏見ヶ滝)." The name comes from the unique view of the waterfall "seen from behind," as the path along the irrigation channel passes through the interior of the falls. The open-air hot spring baths alongside the walking trail are highly praised for their stunning mountain views.
Sueyoshi Onsen (末吉温泉)
Soaking in a hot spring is taken into consideration the critical Japanese experience after a hike. On Hachijo Island you can loosen up within the hot springs at the same time as playing breathtaking perspectives of the endless ocean—virtually one of life’s notable pleasures.
The admission fee for Sueyoshi Onsen is 500 yen per character, and you could also purchase a towel printed with "Hachijo Island" as a pleasant memento. Don’t neglect to spend some time within the tatami-floored resting room after your bathtub—sipping a glass of milk is the most genuine manner to conclude your onsen ritual!
Hachijo Botanical Park (八丈植物公園)
This large botanical garden is located near the airport and offers a pleasant stroll amidst around 100 species of tropical and subtropical plants. The garden also features a visitor center, where you can learn about the island's natural environment and cultural heritage.
Fureai Ranch (ふれあい牧場)
This ranch is located halfway up Mount Hachijo-Fuji and was established to promote livestock farming. Through the fences, you can observe the grazing animals. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Mount Mihara, the sea, Hachijo Island town, the airport, and various other scenic vistas.
The Cuisine of Hachijo Island
Hachijo Island Produced Pizza
This pizza is made with mozzarella cheese produced on Hachijo Island and is crafted using fresh milk from Jersey cows raised at the island's Free Ranch, which boasts a rich natural environment.
The authentic pizza is baked to perfection in the shop's oven, featuring the creamy richness of the freshly made mozzarella.
Ashitaba cheesecake (あしたばチーズケーキ)
Ashitaba cheesecake is made using ashitaba powder produced on Hachijo Island. The characteristic bitterness of ashitaba is subdued, making it easy to enjoy this unique and flavorful cheesecake.
Shiitake Tempura (しいたけ天ぷら)
Hachijo Island's sea breeze shiitake mushrooms lack the strong pungent smell typical of shiitakes, making them very pleasant to eat. They pair well with oil, which is why they are often used in tempura or fried dishes.
Due to their rich flavor, we recommend simply seasoning them with salt for a delightful taste.
