Subtropical Island Paradise: Izu/Ogasawara Islands Await (©Ogasawara Village Municipal Government) Tokyo, which is centered on the city that is the capital of Japan, also encompasses a cluster of islands that lie off Japan's coast. With their lush subtropical beauty, these islands seem a world apart from Tokyo's bustling streets, but are in fact only a short plane ride away. Following is a brief overview of the Izu and Ogasawara islands.

1. The Izu Islands (©Hachijojima Tourism Association) These islands, strung from north to south in the Pacific Ocean, are warmed by the waters of the Japan Current. Sometimes known as the Seven Izu Islands, each lures travelers with its own combination of attractions, including hot springs (onsen), gourmet dining, hiking, surfing, and diving.

2. Oshima: Sightseeing highlights Women carrying camelias, for which Oshima is famous (©Oshima Tourism Association) 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.

3. Oshima: Food and Access Tsubaki fondue, a dish in which ingredients are deep fried in a mix of camelia oil and vegetable oil (©PANA) Gourmet Food Epicurean highlights include sushi, tempura, and sashimi, all made with fresh fish caught locally. Access from Tokyo By sea: The trip from Tokyo to Oshima takes about an hour and 45 minutes by jetfoil and about six hours and 10 minutes by passenger ferry. By air: The flight from Haneda Airport to Oshima takes about 40 minutes. Sightseeing information Oshima-machi Municipal Government (Japanese only) Oshima Tourism Association (Japanese only)

4. Hachijojima: Sightseeing highlights (©Hachijojima Tourism Association) 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.

5. Hachijojima: Food and Access Sake made on Izu Islands (©PANA) Gourmet Food Two culinary specialties of the island are goshamen ryori ("amnesty cuisine") and shimazushi ("island sushi"). Goshamen ryori derives its name from Hachijojima's role during the Edo period (1603-1868) as a place where convicts were exiled. When exiles were granted permission to return to the mainland, they celebrated by preparing dishes made entirely from fish and vegetables available on the island; this cuisine became known as goshamen ryori. Hachijojima's other famous culinary specialty, shimazushi, was developed long ago as a food that could be carried on long boat trips. Unlike most sushi, shimazushi is eaten with mustard rather than with wasabi. Access from Tokyo By sea: The trip from Tokyo to Hachijojima takes about 10 and a half hours by overnight passenger ferry. By air: The flight from Haneda Airport to Hachijojima takes about 45 minutes. Sightseeing information Hachijojima-machi Municipal Government (Japanese only) Hachijojima Tourism Association (Japanese only) You can also enjoy the other Izu islands of Niijima, Shikinejima, Mikurajima, Kozushima, and Miyakejima.

6. The Ogasawara Islands: Sightseeing highlights (Above) Whale watching; (below) swimming with dolphins (©Ogasawara Village Municipal Government) Located about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from Tokyo and around the same latitude as Miami and the Canary Islands, this island group encompasses Chichijima, Hahajima, and other islands large and small. Situated in isolation on the Pacific, these islands do not have a long history of human habitation. Europeans and American settlers first came to Chichijima and other islands in the group from Hawaii in 1830. Japanese immigration began in earnest around 1876. The islands were under US control following World War II and were returned to the Japanese in 1968. The Ogasawara Islands (also known as the Bonin Islands) are home to many animals and plants that live nowhere else in the world. Their status as a biological treasure house has earned the island group the nickname "The Galapagos of the East." Sightseeing highlights Swimming with dolphins: The waters around the islands are home to a sizable population of dolphins. Lucky visitors may get an opportunity to swim alongside these beautiful, intelligent sea mammals. Whale watching: There are two types of whales that viewers are most likely to see. Humpback whales can be seen from around December through May, and sperm whales can be seen from around April through December.

7. The Ogasawara Islands: Food and Access Sushi from the Ogasawara Islands (©PANA) Gourmet Food The cuisine revolves around locally caught fish. Another highly recommended treat is tropical fruits, such as passion fruits, guavas, mangoes, bananas, and papayas. Access from Tokyo The islands are accessible only by sea. The trip from Tokyo to Chichijima takes about 25 hours. Sightseeing information Ogasawara Village Municipal Government (Japanese only) Hahajima Tourism Association (Japanese only)