Izu Islands: Volcanic Adventure Guide to Tokyo's Pacific Island Chain

What Are the Izu Islands

The Izu Islands (伊豆諸島) are a volcanic island chain stretching south from Tokyo Bay into the Pacific Ocean. Despite being administered by Tokyo, these islands feel nothing like the metropolis — they are rugged, remote, and built around diving, hiking, hot springs, and volcanic landscapes.

The chain includes roughly a dozen inhabited islands, with the main destinations for travelers being Izu Oshima (the largest), Niijima (white sand beaches), Shikinejima (seaside hot springs), and Hachijojima (subtropical diving). Access is by ferry or small aircraft from Tokyo, and the journey itself — an overnight ferry across open ocean or a short prop-plane flight from a suburban airfield — sets the tone for an experience far from typical Japan tourism.

These are not the same as the Izu Peninsula on the mainland. For Izu Peninsula content — Atami, Ito, Shimoda, and the coastal towns — see our mainland Izu Peninsula overview. The Izu Islands are offshore, accessible only by sea or air, and offer a fundamentally different type of trip. For broader Shizuoka travel context, see our Shizuoka city guides.

Choosing Your Island

Izu Oshima: Largest Island with Active Volcano

Izu Oshima (伊豆大島) is the closest and most accessible Izu Island — about 115 minutes by jet foil from Tokyo. It is the largest island in the chain and home to Mt. Mihara (三原山), an active volcano. According to the Tokyo Islands tourism site, Mt. Mihara's crater hiking trail has been closed due to volcanic activity as of 2024 — check current status before planning a summit hike.

Even without the crater trail, Oshima offers coastal hiking, camellia flower festivals (February-March), and a dramatic volcanic landscape. It is the most practical island for a first visit or a short trip, with the most frequent ferry and flight connections.

Niijima: White Sand Beaches and Surfing

Niijima (新島) is known for Habushiura Beach, which according to the Niijima tourism association, features white pumice sand — unusual for Japan and a result of the island's volcanic geology. The beach is one of the best surfing spots accessible from Tokyo.

Niijima also has a tradition of volcanic glass (Koga stone) craft-making. The island is hilly — visitors on TripAdvisor recommend renting a scooter or bicycle, as bus service is infrequent.

Shikinejima: Free Seaside Hot Springs

Shikinejima (式根島) is tiny — you can walk across it in under an hour — but it packs an outsized appeal for onsen enthusiasts. According to the Shikinejima tourism association, the island has free outdoor seaside hot springs where seawater mixes with natural spring water. These open-air baths are available 24 hours.

The hot springs are mixed-gender and clothing-optional at some locations — a contrast to mainland onsen etiquette. Tattoo policies are generally relaxed on the remote islands compared to mainland facilities.

Hachijojima: Subtropical Diving Paradise

Hachijojima (八丈島) is the furthest south of the commonly visited islands — approximately 10 hours by overnight ferry from Tokyo, or reachable by flight. The subtropical climate supports coral, tropical fish, and some of the best diving in the Tokyo region.

The island is also part of a UNESCO whale sanctuary area. Diving season runs April through October, with summer offering the warmest water but also typhoon risk. Hachijojima is best visited as a standalone trip rather than combined with the northern islands, as the distance between them is significant.

Diving, Snorkeling and Beach Activities

The Izu Islands are one of the most accessible diving and snorkeling destinations from Tokyo. The volcanic underwater terrain creates dramatic walls, caves, and coral formations not found on the mainland coast.

Diving season runs from April through October, with water temperatures above 24°C. Summer (July-September) offers the best visibility but also peak crowds and typhoon risk. Spring and early autumn are good compromises — fewer visitors, reasonable water temperatures, and lower typhoon probability.

For beginners, Shikinejima and the protected coves of Niijima offer calm, shallow waters suitable for snorkeling without dive certification. Experienced divers gravitate toward Hachijojima for deeper sites and marine biodiversity.

Specific dive shop prices are not consistently published online — expect to inquire directly with island operators. Bring cash, as ATMs are scarce outside main ports and many island businesses do not accept credit cards.

Hiking and Volcanic Landscapes

Every island in the chain is volcanic, and the hiking reflects this geology — you walk on lava flows, pumice fields, and crater rims rather than forested mountain trails.

On Izu Oshima, the Mt. Mihara area offers volcanic landscape walks even when the summit crater trail is closed. Coastal trails on the island provide views of the volcanic cone and the open Pacific.

Miyakejima (三宅島) is notable for birdwatching — the island is home to the rare Izu Thrush — but visitors should be aware of ongoing volcanic gas emissions. Sulfur dioxide monitoring is essential, and gas mask awareness is recommended for certain areas. Check current volcanic alerts with the Japan Meteorological Agency before visiting.

Insect repellent is more important here than on the mainland, particularly on the southern subtropical islands like Hachijojima — tropical insects are more aggressive than what you encounter in Tokyo or the Kanto area.

Getting to the Islands from Tokyo

Ferry from Takeshiba Terminal

The primary access to the Izu Islands is by Tokai Kisen ferry from Takeshiba Ferry Terminal (竹芝客船ターミナル) in central Tokyo. Two main services operate:

Service	Destination	Duration	Approximate Cost (one way)
Jet foil (高速船)	Izu Oshima	~115 min	¥13,000 (~$87)
Overnight ferry (夜行便)	Izu Oshima	~6 hours	¥10,500 (~$70) 2nd class
Overnight ferry	Hachijojima	~10 hours	~¥25,000 (~$167)

The jet foil is fast but only serves the closer islands. The overnight ferry departs Tokyo in the evening and arrives at the islands early morning — a practical option that saves a night of accommodation.

Summer weekends and holiday periods sell out — book ferry tickets online in advance through the Tokai Kisen website. Weather cancellations happen, particularly during typhoon season (August-October). Have a flexible schedule if possible.

Many visitors on Reddit advise taking motion sickness medication for the ferry — even in calm seas, the overnight crossing can be rough. The jet foil is smoother but still crosses open water.

The ferry from Shimoda port town on the mainland coast also connects to some islands seasonally — check current schedules.

Flights from Chofu Airport

Small propeller aircraft fly from Chofu Airport (調布飛行場) in western Tokyo to Izu Oshima, Niijima, and other islands. Flights take 25-45 minutes depending on the island. According to flight schedule data, fares range from ¥15,000-25,000 (~$100-167) one way, with limited daily departures (3-5 flights).

Flights are subject to weather cancellations and have strict baggage weight limits. Reservations are required. Chofu Airport is a small suburban airfield — not Haneda or Narita — accessible by bus or taxi from Chofu Station.

Planning Your Island Trip

How many days: Plan 2-3 days minimum per island. A single-island weekend trip (Friday evening ferry, Sunday return) works for Izu Oshima or Niijima. Multi-island trips need 5-7 days.

Island-hopping: Inter-island ferries connect the northern islands (Oshima, Niijima, Shikinejima, Kozujima). You can visit 2-3 of these in a single trip. Hachijojima is further south and best visited separately.

Accommodation: Each island has minshuku (民宿, Japanese guesthouses), small hotels, and some camping options. Book in advance for summer — island accommodation is limited and fills quickly.

Cash: Bring sufficient cash. ATMs are scarce outside main port areas, and many restaurants, dive shops, and guesthouses on the smaller islands accept cash only.

Season guide:

Season	Conditions	Best For
Spring (Apr-May)	Mild weather, diving season starts	Hiking, early diving
Summer (Jul-Sep)	Warmest water, peak crowds	Diving, beaches, surfing
Autumn (Oct-Nov)	Warm water, fewer crowds	Diving, quieter visits
Winter (Dec-Mar)	Ferry reductions, cool weather	Oshima camellia festival (Feb-Mar)

Prices shown are from 2025 data. Ferry schedules and fares change seasonally — check the Tokai Kisen site for current information before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit multiple Izu Islands in one trip?

Yes. Inter-island ferries connect the northern islands — Izu Oshima, Niijima, Shikinejima, and Kozujima. Plan 2-3 days per island for a comfortable pace. Hachijojima is significantly further south and best visited as a separate trip. A 5-7 day itinerary works well for 2-3 northern islands.

How much does it cost to get to the Izu Islands from Tokyo?

Jet foil to Izu Oshima costs approximately ¥13,000 (~$87) one way, taking about 115 minutes. The overnight ferry is approximately ¥10,500 (~$70) for 2nd class. Flights from Chofu Airport range from ¥15,000-25,000 (~$100-167) one way. Summer weekends sell out — book early. Prices are from 2025 data; check current fares before booking.

What is the best season for diving and snorkeling in the Izu Islands?

April through October, with water temperatures above 24°C. Summer (July-September) offers the best visibility and warmest water, but also peak crowds and typhoon risk. Spring (April-May) and early autumn (October) are good alternatives with fewer visitors and reasonable conditions.

Is it safe to hike the volcanoes on the Izu Islands?

Check volcanic alerts before visiting. Mt. Mihara on Izu Oshima has had trail closures due to volcanic activity — the crater trail has been closed since 2024. Miyakejima has ongoing sulfur dioxide emissions requiring gas mask awareness. Always check current conditions with the Japan Meteorological Agency and local authorities before hiking volcanic areas.