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Tokyo as Foreign Tourists Have Never Seen It Before, Ogasawara islands

Tokyo as Foreign Tourists Have Never Seen It Before, Ogasawara islands

Have you ever heard of the Ogasawara Islands? Probably not.

Beach in Ogasawara island

I introduce you to the Ogasawara Islands, Tokyo’s only UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

I’m Nobu, I like traveling overseas and in Japan, visited 25 countries. I’ve got the license of the certificate English guide in Japan for 7 years.I show you hidden Japan which you have never seen and heard of!

Ogasawara Islands

The Ogasawara islands are the village in Tokyo metropolitan prefecture , but it is located 1000 km away from mainland Tokyo in the Pacific Ocean.

Ogasawara island

There are more than 30 islands, but people live in only two islands, Chichijima 2,100and Hahajima 500, and they are home to about 2,600people.

Beach in Ogasawara island

The Ogasawara Islands have been isolated from the continent since their formation 66 million years ago.

Rock in Ogasawara

So the living organisms on the islands have evolved in their own unique way, and there are so many precious plants and animals.

Beach in Ogasawara island

History

The Ogasawara Islands are said to have been discovered in 1593 by Samurai Sadayori Ogasawara, the great-grandson of the lord of Fukashi Castle in Shinshu.

Also there is an uncertain record that Spanish boat found similar island nearby in 16th century.

During 16-18th century there were records that whale catching boats , fishing boats and drifted boats dropped here.

1675,the Tokugawa Shogunate government landed here and researched.
Then they named here as Bunin( 無人,no man) islands.

English name ‘Bonin islands’ is from this story.


The first people to settle here were Westerners and Pacific islanders in the late Edo period 1830.

The islands were later surveyed and cultivated by the Tokugawa Shogunate and Meiji government, and in 1876 they were internationally recognized as Japanese territory.



UNRSCO World Natural Heritage site



This place became as a national park in Japan in 1972, and as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2011, in recognition of its precious nature, flora and fauna.

Then people call here as the “Galapagos of the East.“

There is no airport here, and the only way to visit is by ferry, which takes 24 hours one way from Tokyo. It departs once a week.

Moreover there is no wifi in the ferry!

And then another 24 hours to get back by the same boat 6days later.
As you imagine the Ogasawara trip is basically 6days by return.

Ferry Ogasawara-Maru

If a villager is seriously injured or needs treatment at a major hospital, he or she will be transported there by SDF aircraft.

Therefore, the need for an airport has been talked about for several decades, but there is not enough space to build a large runway.

Also many people worry about destroying the precious nature, so it is always difficult to proceed.

The beautiful subtropical nature of Tokyo may be protected forever thanks to this inconvenient access.

You will arrive in Ogasawara at Chichijima. From Chichijima, you can also take a ferry to Hahajima, which takes two hours and ten minutes.

The Ogasawara Islands are a place where untouched nature remains.

Things to do in Ogasawara

There are many trekking routes. There are also many activities to choose from.

Snorkeling, diving, kayaking, whale-watching, swimming with dolphins, night tours.

Trekking route in Ogasawara island

You might be busy when you’re in Ogasawara. On the other hand, it might be nice to relax and do nothing here.

Whale watching
Dolphin swimming
Beach in Ogasawara island
Sunset in Ogasawara island

Even if you come to Japan, it is difficult to come to the Ogasawara Islands.

That’s because it’s basically a six-day trip, with a return ferry ride. But how about enjoying this unspoiled nature in Japan someday?

I’m Nobu, one heart enjoy together!!!


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>Enjoy Tokyo and Japan as locals do!

Enjoy Tokyo and Japan as locals do!

TOKYO travel TIPS is the site which offers local updated information of Tokyo and Japan. There are many traditional, modern culture , festivals and beautiful nature in Tokyo and Japan. We want to share with travel beginners and repeaters to Tokyo and Japan! Let’s enjoy as locals do!

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