Izu Oshima is located approximately 120 km south of central Tokyo and can be reached in as little as 1 hour and 45 minutes by high-speed jet ferry from Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal. At the center of the island is Mt. Mihara, still with active volcanic activity, towering over the landscape as it captivates visitors with its dynamic terrain and rich natural beauty. This time, we’ll introduce a 1-night, 2-day model plan that lets you enjoy the island to the fullest. The easiest way to get around the island is by taxi or rental car. The first day is spent trekking on Mt. Mihara. In addition to choosing your hiking trail based on brochures, we also recommend signing up for a guided tour. Then, you can relax at a hotel renowned for its hot springs and starry skies, and on the second day you can enjoy the coastal views that surround the island. During your trip, be sure to also savor some of the island’s local cuisine, such as Bekko Sushi, a type of sushi made with white fish marinated in soy sauce flavored with island chili peppers, as well as dishes made with locally caught seafood, and Oshima milk from cows raised on the island.
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Okata Port/Motomachi Port ➡ Approx. 20-min. drive from either port ➡ Mt. Mihara Summit Trailhead ➡ Approx. 45-min. walk ➡ Ohachi-Meguri Trail ➡ Approx. 40-min. walk ➡ Ura-Sabaku Desert & Geo Rock Garden ➡ Approx. 24-min. walk ➡ Oshima Hot Spa Hotel ➡ Approx. 25-min. drive ➡ The Great Road Cut ➡ Approx. 30-min. drive ➡ Oshima Park ➡ Approx. 10-min. drive to Okata Port or approx. 18-min. drive to Motomachi Port ➡ Okata Port/Motomachi Port
Okata Port/Motomachi Port
Izu Oshima can be reached by ship (high-speed jet ferry or large passenger ship) or by airplane. High-speed jet ferries depart from Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal and reach the island in as little as 1 hour and 45 minutes, while large passenger ships depart at night and take at least 6 hours. Airplanes departing from Chofu Airport arrive in as little as 25 minutes. For the many passengers who arrive by ship, the port of arrival is either Okata Port or Motomachi Port. Okata Port, located in the northeast of the island, is known for its dynamic scenery and up-close view of Mt. Mihara. On clear days, you can even see Mt. Fuji from the wharf. Motomachi Port, located on the island’s west coast and conveniently close to the center of Izu Oshima, allows easy access to hot springs, restaurants, and souvenir shops as soon as you arrive. From the port, you can see the entire Izu Peninsula stretching across the sea, and the scenery at sunset is also quite exceptional.
Address:
Okata Port: 5 Okata, Oshimamachi, Tokyo
Motomachi Port: 1-18-3 Motomachi, Oshimamachi, Tokyo
Mt. Mihara Summit Trailhead
When visiting Izu Oshima, one thing you must try is trekking on Mt. Mihara, the symbol of the island. The starting point is Mt. Mihara Summit Trailhead, located at an elevation of approximately 555 meters. In addition to taxi or rental car, you can also get there by taking the Oshima Bus Miharayama Line or Rainbow Line. The trail is well maintained, and a walk of about 45 minutes will take you to the rim of the crater, where you can experience the sheer power of the smoke it emits up close. From the Outer Rim Lookout along the way, you can see panoramic views of the Izu islands and the mountains of Honshu. On clear days you can even see Mt. Fuji.
Ohachi-Meguri Trail
Ohachi-Meguri Trail takes you around the rim of the crater of Mt. Mihara, and is a popular route that offers panoramic views of the sea surrounding the island, Mt. Fuji, and the rest of the Izu islands. The route is roughly 2.5 kilometers long and has a number of highlights along the way. Mihara Shrine, which attracts many visitors, enshrines the deity of the mountain and was established with the desire to keep the volcano calm. You can also see the exposed “Akadare” (Red Valley) red-oxidized rock layers, a powerful landscape that evokes the intensity of volcanic eruptions and is also a popular photo spot. Taking in the history of an island that coexists with the volcano and the grandeur of its nature is an experience that can only be found on Izu Oshima.
Ura-Sabaku Desert & Geo Rock Garden
Mt. Mihara offers an opportunity to experience nature at its most dynamic by allowing you to see the lava that flowed from the caldera and the rugged crater up close. Ura-Sabaku Desert was formed by the accumulation of fine particles of lava and volcanic ash that built up with each eruption to become a vast landscape blanketed in black volcanic sand. A particularly impressive highlight is the Geo Rock Garden, an area dotted with lava and volcanic rocks of various sizes, created by a fissure eruption in 1986. The well-maintained trails make it possible for even beginners to enjoy trekking around the area with peace of mind. Alongside the scenery that continually changes with the seasons, you can also learn about the formation of Mt. Mihara and the power of the Earth with your own eyes.
Oshima Hot Spa Hotel
Located halfway up Mt. Mihara, Oshima Hot Spa Hotel is the perfect place for resting your body after a day of trekking. One of the premier accommodations on Izu Oshima, you can relax and unwind in nature-rich environment. The hotel boasts a natural hot spring that traces its source to the volcanic activity of Mt. Mihara, with water that is gentle on the skin and spacious open-air baths. Soaking in the bath while looking out upon the expansive nature below will relieve you from the fatigue of everyday life. On clear nights, you can also gaze up into the stars above. The starry sky alongside the silhouette of Mt. Mihara is a truly spectacular sight, making the night a special experience that cannot be had in the city.
Address: 3-5 Kitsunba, Senzu, Oshimamachi, Tokyo
https://www.oshima-onsen.co.jp/
The Great Road Cut
The southern part of Izu Oshima is home to captivating dynamic landscapes created by the intertwining of the volcano and the sea. The Great Road Cut along the road that circles the island offers spectacular views of the exposed strata formed by volcanic activity from roughly 15,000 years ago, reaching about 24 meters in height and 630 meters in length. This valuable geosite lets you see the history of the Earth up close. Nearby is Sanohama Beach, a black-sand beach that is also a renowned nesting site for sea turtles. The picturesque Imasaki Sea Cliff is also nearby, where a series of cliffs and rocky areas create a striking coastal landscape. Toshiki Beach, also in the area, is a cove that resembles a natural swimming pool surrounded by lava formations, and a popular destination for enjoying snorkeling and other aquatic activities in the summer.
Address: Enshuaino, Nomashi, Oshimamachi, Tokyo
Oshima Park
Oshima Park is known as one of Japan’s premier camellia viewing spots. From February to March, approximately 5,000 camellia trees are in full bloom, and the Izu Oshima Tsubaki (Camellia) Festival, held every year from late January to late March, attracts many tourists. From spring to summer, the fresh greenery and hydrangeas are beautiful, while autumn brings the vibrant colors of the changing leaves, revealing a different charm with each season. There is also a zoo on the grounds, which can be entered for free, that is home to red pandas, camels, birds, and more, making it a popular spot for families. Oshima Park is a place where you can enjoy nature’s seasonal changes and the island’s leisurely pace, with new charms being discovered every time you visit.
Address: 2 Fukuju, Senzu, Oshimamachi, Tokyo
