Ogasawara: Nature, Sea and Island Culture

On Chichijima, experiences range from sea turtles and wildlife watching to coastal trails and viewpoints; other activities take place across the wider island area. If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip to Ogasawara, it helps to decide first whether marine life, landscapes or cultural history will be the focus.

Nature watching on Chichijima

The Ocean Center, also known as the Kame Center, researches and cares for sea turtles. Depending on the season, activities may include releasing young turtles or polishing turtle shells. The Ogasawara Visitor Center offers year-round explanations by expert staff, special exhibitions, nature watching, talks and hands-on activities for children and adults. Dates for individual programs may vary.

The Ogasawara World Heritage Centre also combines information and nature conservation: it provides information about efforts to protect nature and the World Heritage site. Endangered species are also bred there, and visitors can observe their care. Rare animals and plants can be seen in the Higashihira-Akazashikokarasubato protected area. Visitors must be accompanied by a nature guide recognized by Tokyo when walking there.

The experiences differ considerably: the Visitor Center offers various types of programs year-round, while turtle experiences are seasonal. A walk in the protected area, meanwhile, requires an accompanying recognized nature guide. These differences can help you fit nature experiences into your travel plans.

Coast, hiking trail and viewpoints

Miyanohama Beach on Chichijima is within walking distance of the settlement. Tropical fish and various corals can be seen in the water. The current is strong outside the buoys, so swimming should be limited to within the buoyed area.

At Kuwanokiyama, the hiking trail follows a restored prewar road. From the Tenguhanahana viewpoint, you can see across Futami Bay; along the trail, you can also see the remains of prewar houses. The main viewpoint in the Ogamiyama district, just behind Futami Pier, offers a different view of Chichijima: from there, you can see across the island’s built-up area.

On Minamijima, Ogiike lies in a submerged karst landscape made of limestone. Its white sand contrasts with the blue sea. Landing on the island requires being accompanied by a guide recognized by Tokyo; check the latest local conditions in advance.

Sea and nature across the wider island area

Along the coast of the Ogasawara Islands, you can experience reef-building corals and tropical fish underwater while snorkeling. When diving in Ogasawara National Park, you may see bigeye tuna, amberjacks, schools of fish in fan-like formations and colorful tropical fish. The waters south of Ani-jima are clear, with colorful schools of fish swimming among the coral reefs. The area can be visited as part of ecotours.

Spinner dolphins and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins live around the islands year-round. Boat trips around the islands look for dolphins; with luck, you may be able to swim with wild dolphins. On the western side of Chichijima, the Weather Station Lookout is a popular place to watch the sun set on the horizon. It attracts many people in good weather; whale watching is also possible there during the season.

Nighttime brings other opportunities for observation: when stargazing in the Ogasawara Islands, you can see the Milky Way. You may also spot the green-glowing fungus Green Pepe and nocturnal animals such as the endemic Ogasawara flying fox. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Island culture and getting there

Takonoha craft is a traditional craft passed down in the Ogasawara Islands since before the war. It uses the leaves of the endemic screw pine タコノキ. Another part of the region’s cultural heritage is Nanyo Odori: the dance was passed down to the Ogasawara Islands during the period when Japan administered Micronesia and was designated an intangible folk cultural property of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 2000.

Chichijima and Hahajima have no airports and can only be reached by ship. The Ogasawara Maru ferry departs from Tokyo’s Takeshiba Pier about once a week. As the frequency may change, check the current schedule before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Okutama, Edogawa, Shibuya-ku, Taitō, Hamura, Suginami, Minato, Shinjuku

For the main travel overview: Tokyo.