To appreciate the charms of the island even more, how about cycling around it? Close to the southern tip is a beach of black volcanic sand, sheer cliffs showing layers of lava, and other features formed through volcanic activity. Here too you will see proof that you are standing on a volcanic island.

Bicycle road races have been held for a few years now, attracting racers from Japan and abroad. A growing number of them are ace cyclists with their own bicycles, eager to test their muscles on the circumferential road with vertical differentials of more than 400 meters. If you want a more leisurely ride along the coast on a rental bike, pedaling on a bike path is enjoyable as well. After working up a sweat, various lodgings and the municipally operated hot spring await you.

One type of tree that you’ll see everywhere on the island is camellia japonica. Camellia groves once played an important role in the lives of the islanders, protecting them from the wind and providing oil extracted from its seeds. Records from the Tenpo era (1830-1844) in the Edo period list camellia oil as a special product of the island. Today about three million camellia trees are said to grow in their natural state on Oshima. When the flowers bloom in winter their red petals color the land. Camellia oil contains more healthful oleic acid than olive oil, and this has created something of a revival in interest over the last few years. Two common uses for the oil are for deep-frying tempura and as a dressing for angelica herb salad.

And then, of course, there are the various types of fresh seafood brought by the Kuroshio Current to grace the table in their own season. Sashimi flavored with soy sauce steeped in spicy shima togarashi red peppers is a traditional delicacy of the Izu Islands.