東京の島々Island hopping in

Island hopping in Tokyo is not going from one traffic island to the next! Tokyo, more specifically the prefecture of Tokyo, has more than 130 islands, among them UNESCO World Heritage listed islands sometimes referred to as the Galapagos of the east. Far from traffic and crowds, the Izu and Ogasawara Islands offer a much slower pace of life. a

The Izu Islands are made up of over seven Izu Islands which form part of be found on three islands, including 100 islands. Nine of the islands are the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Hahajima. inhabited and accessible by sea or The islands are volcanic (submarine Subtropical trees such as the very air. Visitors can simply relax and volcanoes), and another of the descriptively named ‘takonoki’ or do very little or engage in a variety of islands, Oshima Island, is still active. ‘octopus trees’ (d) are among those marine sports. Much further south, over 1,000km that thrive on the islands. Tourism Within the Izu Island group is Shikine south-south-east of Tokyo in the has increased since the UNESCO -jima Island, about 160km south of Pacific Ocean, are the Ogasawara listing as people come to enjoy the Tokyo city. During the summer Islands. In 2011, they became Japan’s beautiful scenery (f) and clear waters season the island can be reached in fourth natural site to be listed under of the islands. Also a haven for under two and half hours. There are the World Heritage Convention. migratory species such as the

b e

c ｄ f

beautiful beaches such as the More than 30 sub-tropical islands endangered green sea turtle (e), popular Tomari Beach (b). There are make up the Ogasawara Islands, but island authorities issue special several outdoor hot springs that you only two are inhabited Chichijima guidelines telling people how to visit can try on the island. Being a small (‘Father Island’) and Hahajima without bringing in stowaways, which island only 12km in circumference, (‘Mother Island’). The Ogasawara could affect the local ecosystems. hiking is a great way to see the island islands are also volcanic in structure. Getting to Ogasawara takes some

and sea kayaking (c) gives a different f © Ogasawara Village Tourism / © Tourism OgasawaraVillage f ©

Due to the islands’ isolation, plants planning; the ferry takes 25½ hours - perspective of its impressive coasts. and animals developed that are from Tokyo City from Takeshiba Pier, On a clear day from the highest spot unique to the islands and there are the same departure point for Izu of Shikinejima, you can see as far as ferries. Services to islands vary with more than 600 endemic species of Tourist © JNTO JNTO;Office/ c b ©Shikinejima & and the on flora and fauna. The Bonin white-eye the seasons, so plan carefully!

the mainland. Shikinejima is one of (a) is a small bird that can now only a, PHOTO d CREDITS:

Further information: Japan National Tourism Organisation—Ogasawara www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/scenic/worldheritage/14_ogasawara.html & Seven Izu Islands www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/tokyo/izusititou.html; Go Tokyo—www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/areas/index.html

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