Researched guide · Checked on Nov 2, 2026
Tokyo is not only a city. The Izu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands to the south are part of Tokyo too, with volcanoes, wild dolphins, surf beaches and subtropical seas. Some are a two-hour boat ride from central Tokyo; others take a full day at sea. Here is how all eleven compare.
Quick answer
Closest and easiest: Oshima, about 2 hours by high-speed ferry from Takeshiba or 25 minutes by plane from Chofu Airport.
Beaches and surfing: Niijima, Shikinejima and Kozushima, about 2.5 to 4 hours by jet ferry.
Swim with wild dolphins: Mikurajima (April to November) or Toshima (March to November).
Fly from Haneda: Hachijojima, about 50 minutes.
The far south: Chichijima and Hahajima in Ogasawara, 24 hours by ship, so plan about a week.
Tokyo’s islands at a glance
| Island | Getting there | Time needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oshima | High-speed ferry from Takeshiba (about 2 hr), or fly from Chofu (25 min) | 2 days | Volcano hikes, camellias, hot springs |
| Toshima | High-speed boat from Takeshiba (about 2 hr 20 min) | 2 days or more | Dolphins, stargazing, a very quiet trip |
| Niijima | Jet ferry from Takeshiba (2.5–3.5 hr), or fly from Chofu (35 min) | 2–3 days | Surfing, beaches, hot springs, glass art |
| Shikinejima | Jet ferry from Takeshiba (about 3 hr), or fly to Niijima and take a 15-min ferry | 2 days | Calm coves, tide-pool hot springs, families |
| Kozushima | Jet ferry from Takeshiba (about 4 hr), or fly from Chofu (35 min) | 2–3 days | Snorkeling, hiking, dark skies |
| Miyakejima | Ferry from Takeshiba (about 6 hr 30 min), or fly from Chofu (about 50 min) | 2 days | Birdwatching, lava fields, diving |
| Mikurajima | Overnight ship via Miyakejima (about 7.5 hr), or helicopter | 2 days or more | Swimming with wild dolphins |
| Hachijojima | Fly from Haneda (about 50 min), or overnight ship (about 10.5 hr) | 2–3 days | A subtropical feel, diving, hot springs |
| Aogashima | From Hachijojima by boat (about 2.5 hr) or helicopter (20 min) | 2 days or more | Living inside a volcano, stargazing |
| Chichijima | Ogasawara-maru ferry from Takeshiba (24 hr) | About a week round trip | Beaches, snorkeling, rare nature |
| Hahajima | Ferry from Chichijima (about 2 hr) | A day trip or short stay | Whales, coral, sunsets |
Travel times come from each island’s guide, where we checked Tokyo’s official travel guide, GO TOKYO, in October 2026. Schedules change by season and weather, so check before you book.
Easy weekend islands: Oshima, Toshima and the beach islands
- Oshima is the closest and easiest: about 2 hours by high-speed ferry from Takeshiba, or 25 minutes by plane from Chofu Airport. Hike up to the crater of Mt. Mihara, and visit from January to early April for camellias and the Tsubaki Festival. See our Oshima guide.
- Toshima is tiny and very quiet, about 2 hours 20 minutes by high-speed boat. Swim with dolphins from March to November, or see the camellias from January to March. See our Toshima guide.
- Niijima is the surf island, with beaches, hot springs and glass art; summer is best for the beach. See our Niijima guide.
- Shikinejima, next to Niijima, has calm coves and hot springs in tide pools, good for families. See our Shikinejima guide.
- Kozushima is for snorkeling, hiking and clear night skies, about 4 hours by jet ferry or 35 minutes by plane. See our Kozushima guide.
Volcanoes, birds and dolphins: Miyakejima, Mikurajima and Aogashima
- Miyakejima is a volcanic island of lava fields and birdlife, about 6 hours 30 minutes by ferry or 50 minutes by plane from Chofu. See our Miyakejima guide.
- Mikurajima is famous for swimming with wild dolphins from April to November. It takes an overnight ship via Miyakejima, or a helicopter. See our Mikurajima guide.
- Aogashima is a village inside a volcano, reached from Hachijojima by boat or helicopter. Boats are often cancelled, so check the weather and allow extra days. See our Aogashima guide.
Subtropical Tokyo: Hachijojima, Chichijima and Hahajima
- Hachijojima has a subtropical feel and is the easiest of the far islands: about 50 minutes by plane from Haneda. Come in summer for the sea, or in winter to watch for whales from the hot springs. See our Hachijojima guide.
- Chichijima, in the Ogasawara Islands, is only reached by the Ogasawara-maru ferry from Takeshiba, a 24-hour trip. Because of the ferry schedule, plan about a week for the round trip. Whale season runs from winter to spring. See our Chichijima guide.
- Hahajima is about 2 hours by ferry from Chichijima, for snorkeling, whales from February to April, and sunsets. See our Hahajima guide.
Tips
- Takeshiba pier is where most boats leave from. Chofu Airport has flights to several Izu islands, and Haneda to Hachijojima.
- Weather matters: boats and flights can be cancelled in bad weather; boats to Aogashima are often cancelled. Leave a spare day.
How to choose
| If you want… | Go to |
|---|---|
| A short first trip | Oshima |
| Surf and beaches | Niijima or Shikinejima |
| Wild dolphins | Mikurajima or Toshima |
| A tropical feel without a long boat ride | Hachijojima |
| Remote volcano scenery | Aogashima |
| A week in the subtropics | Chichijima and Hahajima |
FAQ
Are the Izu Islands part of Tokyo?
Yes. The Izu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands are part of the Tokyo Metropolis.
Which Tokyo island is easiest to visit?
Oshima, about 2 hours by high-speed ferry from Takeshiba or 25 minutes by plane from Chofu Airport.
Where can I swim with dolphins near Tokyo?
Mikurajima (April to November) and Toshima (March to November) are known for swimming with wild dolphins.
How long does it take to get to the Ogasawara Islands?
The Ogasawara-maru ferry from Takeshiba to Chichijima takes 24 hours, so a trip takes about a week.
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Sources
Travel times and seasons come from Tokyo’s official travel guide, GO TOKYO, checked in our individual island guides on October 19, 2026, and gathered here (checked November 2, 2026). Ferry and flight schedules change, so please check with the operators before you book.
