Smack-dab in the middle of the warm waters of the
Japan Current lies Hachijojima, where Hachijo-fuji, the highest peak in the Izu
island group, soars to a height of 854.3 meters (2,800 feet). This island, located
about 300 kilometers (186 miles) from Tokyo, has a year-round average air temperature
of 18.1 degrees Celsius (about 65 degrees Fahrenheit). Hachijojima, with its lush
greenery, is the second-largest of the seven Izu islands after Oshima.
Sightseeing highlights
Mountains and forests: Hachijojima has two volcanoes.
One is Hachijo-fuji, a dormant volcano also known as Nishiyama ("West Mountain").
The road along its gentle slopes offers a pleasant drive. The island's
other volcano is Miharayama, also known as Higashiyama ("East Mountain").
This 700.9-meter (2,300-foot) peak is an extinct volcano with trees growing on it.
Five waterfalls flow down the mountain, and along the mountain road the sound
of bubbling spring water can be heard. There are 24 walking trails on the island,
including some that go to the two aforementioned peaks. Depending on the route
selected, a hike can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours.
Seaside: Another of the island's attractions is
the seaside scenery. The island is fringed with dramatic rock formations, and
through the clear blue water one can see the ocean bottom, a dynamic landscape
formed by lava flow. Hachijojima is irresistible to divers, who claim that any
point along the coast is a good diving spot. Even just climbing on the rocks is
a pleasure in itself. Tidal pools large and small offer sightseers a veritable
open-air aquarium.
Fishing: The waters off Hachijojima are a fisherman's
paradise. Whether casting from the rocks or from a boat, anglers can try their
skills on a huge variety of fish including horse mackerel, bonito, yellowfin tuna,
amberjack, and parrot bass.
Hot springs: The island has six hot springs, which
the public can use just like sento, a Japanese public
bath. Entrance fees are relatively low. Some of the baths are open-air, and offer
sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. The feeling of soaking in a naturally warm
mineral pool surrounded by lush vegetation is hard to beat.
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