The biggest of the Izu islands, and also the one
located nearest Japan's main island, is Oshima. Oshima is located within day-trip
range of Tokyo. The island's warm winters and relatively cool summers have earned
it the nickname "the island of eternal spring." By car, it is possible
to make a circuit of the island in about an hour and a half.
Sightseeing highlights
Miharayama: Oshima's most prominent feature, and
one that has become a symbol of the island, is a composite volcano known as Miharayama.
Solidified lava remains as a tangible reminder of its many past eruptions. Miharayama
is one of the world's three largest active volcanoes (the others are Kilauea in
Hawaii and Stromboli in Italy). Key attractions here include a scenic walk, which
takes about two and a half hours and offers views of the dynamic crater and the
panorama from the peak.
Oshima Park: Another symbol of Oshima is the camellia.
And where better to enjoy the "flower of Oshima" than Oshima Park, home
of Japan's biggest camellia garden. Along with the 3,700 cultivated camellia plants
of 450 varieties, there are also 5,000 wild camellias growing here. Visitors can
therefore take in a variety of flowers throughout the season, but the peak period
is from January through March. The Oshima Camellia Festival is held during this
period.
Habu: Until the early part of the Showa era (1926-1989),
the port at Habu was a major deep-sea fishing center. Some of the old streetscape
from those glory days remains, and it is an excellent place to take a stroll.
Nobel Prize-winning author Kawabata
Yasunari used this area as the model for the setting of his novel Izu
no odoriko ("The Dancing Girl of Izu"). An attraction for modern-day
visitors is a museum known as the Odoriko no Sato Shiryokan ("Dancing Girl
Village Museum"), where life-size dolls are used to recreate the atmosphere
of luxurious banquets in days past.
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