The Ogasawara Islands (Bonin Islands) lie 1,000km south of Tokyo in the Pacific Ocean — so remote that the only access is a 24-hour ferry journey. This isolation has preserved extraordinary coral reefs, crystal water, and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. The islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Key Beaches
Miyanohama Beach on Chichijima is a sheltered bay of vivid blue water, backed by subtropical forest. Kominato Beach offers spectacular snorkelling over coral gardens rich with tropical fish and sea turtles. On Hahajima Island, Minami Beach is wilder and more dramatic, with clear water and forested hillsides plunging to the sea.
Best Time to Visit
The islands are subtropical year-round. May to September is peak season. Whale watching from January to April adds a spectacular reason to visit in the cooler months.
Access
The Ogasawara Maru ferry departs Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo every 6 days, arriving after approximately 24 hours at sea. There is no airport — the ferry journey is the only way in, making the islands feel genuinely remote and special.
