Izu Oshima

Oshima is an island lying about 100 km south of Tokyo and is the largest of the Izu Islands, a group of volcanic islands administered by the Tokyo Metropolitan government. Like the other ones, it is accessible (among other options) by a high-speed jet ferry that uses the hydrofoil technique: It makes it possible to get there from Tokyo in a mere 1h45. Oshima offers various interesting activities: Among the most popular are the beaches (made of black sand), the onsens and the volcano (Mount Mihara). There are also a zoo, a large camellia garden and a squirrel park.

I went there on a day trip yesterday. I had great weather and it was really nice.

Above, the jet ferries moored in Takeshiba Pier.

Above, the Tower of Wind, which supplies air to the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line tunnel. The artificial island of Umi-Hotaru can be seen in the background.

Above, Okata Port in Oshima.

Above, Hinode-hama beach in Okata.

Above, near the trail to Mount Mihara.

Above, Mount Mihara. At 764m, it is the highest point on Oshima. It is still an active volcano, with the last major eruption taking place in 1986. There are multiple trails leading to the summit, the easiest of which is the “Mountaintop Walking Trail”, a paved road leading to the rim of the crater.

Above, Mihara Shrine.

Above, view from the rim of the crater. On a clear day, it is possible to see Mount Fuji.

Above,  the “Mount Mihara Rim Walk”, which circles the crater.

Above, monitoring station.

Above, view of Toshima Island, another island in the Izu Island archipelago.

Above, volcanic fumes.

There are alternative trails to the crater. I took one of those, called the “Texas Trail”. It links Mount Mihara to the Tokyo Municipal Oshima Park.

Above, crickets.

After a while, the desert-like landscape gave way to a forest.

Above, the Tokyo Municipal Oshima Park is at the other end of the Texas Trail. It houses the Oshima Zoo and the Camellia Garden.

After that, I took the bus to Motomachi, the main town on Oshima. Above, Motomachi Port.

Above, Kobo-hama beach in Motomachi.

Above, Yuno-hama beach in Motomachi.

Above, waiting for the jet ferry back to Tokyo in Okata Port.

Above, Okata.

Above, view of Yokohama from the ferry.

Above, sunset on the Port of Tokyo.