Hachijojima Island Japan (Sokodo, Izu Islands)

Hachijojima Island (Hachijo-jima) is one of Japan's territories in the Philippine Sea (north Pacific Ocean) and part of the Izu Islands (Izu-shoto). Hachijo-jima has a total area approx 63 km2 (24 mi2) and population around 9,000.

The island is administered by Tokyo and located approx 287 km (178 mi) south of Japan's capital city. It is the most isolated and southernmost of Izu Seven Islands group. The island's highest elevation is about 850 m (2790 ft). The island is within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

As leisure accommodations, the island offers a wealth of Japanese-style inns, several larger hotels and hot spring resorts. A free campsite is open year-round with numerous BBQ pits, full cooking facilities and cold showers.

Hachijojima is popular among surfers, with its 3 reef breaks and warmer than mainland Japan waters due to the warm Kuroshio Current. The island features black sandy beaches, with the main one next to Sokodo Harbour. Scuba diving locations on Hachijojima are many and varied. The best known is Nazumado, considered one of Japan's top 5 diving spots. The island is also popular for its waterfalls, natural beauty and hiking. Other activities include exploring wartime tunnels and visiting the local botanical gardens.

Kihachijo silk cloth is woven on Hachijojima and one of the workshops accepts tourists. Tokyo Electric Power Company has a free museum at the geothermal power plant.

Humpback whales have been observed around the island since November 2015, far north from their breeding areas (Bonin Islands).

Hachijo-jima is also well known for its sushi, locally known as "shimazushi". Local cuisine makes use of ashitaba plant in dishes like tempura and ashitaba soba.

The island is accessible both by air and ferries. A ferry ship leaves Tokyo at 10:30 pm (once per day) and arrives at Hachijojima at 8:50 am (on the following day). A flight to Hachijojima Airport takes 45 min from Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

Hachijojima Island Japan cruise terminal