Iwo Jima – Volcanic Island and Island History

Iwo Jima lies about 280 kilometers south of Chichijima. Together with Kita Iwo Jima and Minami Iwo Jima, it forms the Volcano Islands. The island’s geographical setting, volcanic features, and the development of settlement and livelihoods offer different ways to understand the destination. According to the Ogasawara Village Management Plan of 2024, civilian access to Iwo Jima is generally prohibited because of the Self-Defense Forces base there. Check the current permit requirements before traveling.

Location and Volcanic Features

Iwo Jima is an active volcano under continuous monitoring. The island stretches 8.5 kilometers from northeast to southwest and is 4.5 kilometers wide. Suribachiyama, also known as Pipe Mountain, is the highest peak at 170 meters. The distance of about 280 kilometers refers to Chichijima, while the island’s dimensions describe Iwo Jima itself. This makes it possible to consider the regional location, the island’s orientation, and the elevation of its highest peak separately.

Development and Livelihoods

The development of Iwo Jima began in June 1889, when Tanaka Eijiro set out from Chichijima. He traveled to the island with more than ten people aboard the Nanyōmaru, a sailing ship built on Chichijima. The voyage was for shark fishing and sulfur extraction. This early period in the island’s history thus connects a journey from Chichijima with two distinct livelihood activities.

Later, agriculture replaced sulfur mining as the main livelihood. The island’s flat land and geothermal heat were put to use. The change involved both the activity and its basis: agriculture became the focus after sulfur mining, making use of the terrain and geothermal heat. The timeline is clear: 1889 marks the beginning of development, and the shift to agriculture came later.

Visiting Program and Connection to the Island

Ogasawara Village runs a visiting program for former island residents and Ogasawara residents, including junior high school students. It supports remembrance, return visits, and a better understanding of the island. The stated aims connect personal return visits with learning about Iwo Jima; the program is intended for former residents, village residents, and students alike. Memorial sites on Iwo Jima include the Peace Memorial Cemetery for Former Island Residents, completed in 1990 on the grounds of the prewar island residents’ cemetery, and Chin-kon no Oka, built by Tokyo in 1983 to commemorate the Japanese and American war dead. From Chin-kon no Oka, visitors can see Suribachiyama and the southern coast. Three monuments stand at the summit of Suribachiyama: one for the Japanese war dead, one for the Special Forces, and one commemorating the landing of the U.S. Marines. The memorial sites and visiting program do not mean that public access is unrestricted.

Tokyo as the Wider Island Context

Within the broader travel destination of Tokyo, both the Izu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands are part of the prefecture. Almost the entire Ogasawara Archipelago is designated as Ogasawara National Park. The oceanic islands of Ogasawara are home to unique flora and fauna, including rare flowers, birds, and whales. This broader context adds to the picture of Tokyo as a destination with island groups and natural areas.

For the broader travel overview: Japan.