Miyakejima Hachijojima Ferry

Miyakejima Guide

Miyakejima Ferry Port

Found in the Izu archipelago in the Philippine Sea, about 180km southeast of Honshu, Miyakejima is an inhabited volcanic island belonging to Japan. The primary ferry route from Miyakejima is to the Takeshiba pier in Tokyo, connecting Miyakejima to mainland Japan. Hidden under a cloud of harmful sulphur dioxide gas and within reach of active volcanoes - Miyakejima doesn’t exactly sound like the ideal spot for a relaxing holiday. However, many tourists head to the town each year to experience the unique living conditions that engulf the lives of those who live there. Before arrival, visitors are advised to undergo a medical exam; there are even rumours that permanent residents have to constantly wear gas masks, but that is just a myth. Once in the town and accustomed to the unusual lifestyle, it is very possible to have a pleasant time in Miyakejima. The active volcano of Mt. Oyama is an obvious draw, but there is surprisingly a lot of natural beauty around the area: the scuba diving next to the coral reefs is a wonderful experience, and whilst there it is worthwhile taking in some dolphin sightings. For activities off the beaten track, head to the abandoned houses tour or witness the buildings destroyed by lava. There certainly aren’t many places left in the world as interesting and fascinating as Miyakejima. Due to the unusual circumstances synonymous with the town, the transport is fairly limited. Taxis are readily available and are reasonably priced for connections to the port.

Hachijojima Guide

Hachijojima Ferry Port

Hachijojima Port is situated on the southernmost island of the Izu Seven Island group; the group sits off the south coast of Japan on the Philippine Sea. The island’s enjoyably lush, green aesthetics hide the fact that Hachijojima was originally formed when two adjacent volcanoes merged several hundred years ago. Thousands of tourists flock to the island each year after its jungle like appearance sprang into prominence in recent times. The range of wildlife and distinctive cultural heritage makes the visit even more worthwhile. There is scuba diving and snorkelling readily available, a popular pastime for visitors of the island due to the beautiful tropical fish and coral. There are endless ways to spend time before heading out of Hachijojima to explore the mainland of Japan. The port itself connects passengers to the capital city of Tokyo, departing once a day and lasting for around ten hours. The ship has myriad amenities on-board including restaurants, vending machines and even children's play areas for travelling families. The staff are known to be incredibly helpful, friendly and willing to answer any of the questions and queries of the visitors