How to get to the Tokyo Islands (Izu Islands)
Officially part of Tokyo, the Izu archipelago's islands offer a serene and rural atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the skyscrapers and bustling commercial scene of the capital. While some of the islands are quite remote, the transportation quality is high, typical of Japanese standards, ensuring a quick and smooth journey
Overview
Reaching the islands is possible by either ferry, plane or helicopter. Take a look at the map of the Tokaikisen shipping company for an quick summary. Located south-west of Tokyo the first island we see is also the biggest one, Oshima, at a distance of 108 km from Tokyo. Oshima and the next four islands are close to the mainland and sometimes called ‘the Inner Islands.’ At the bottom of the map you see Hachijojima, which is about 290 km from Tokyo. Together with the two preceding islands they can be called ‘the Outer Islands.’
By ferry
We always feel that for a real island experience you should travel by ferry. Smell the ocean, feel the wind and get rocked by the waves (just a little). The Tokyo-part of the trip feels like a harbor cruise admiring the docks, outlying islands like Odaiba with its architecture and especially the Rainbow Bridge. Further out you pass small sea-defence islands and you can usually see the Yokohama skyline and harbor as well.
To understand your options for travelling by ferry, let’s go back to the map. Look at the red line; the high-speed ferry route, and the blue line; the large passenger ferry-route. Those two ferry-types are your options;
The High Speed Ferry
Jet ferries make the trip extremely efficient, feeling more like a flight then a ferry ride, but the average speed is still 80km per hour. After the doors close, a voice will ask you over the speaker to ‘please remain seated during take-off!’ How about that for a start! Next the engines rev and you can see from your surroundings that you are now a couple of meters above the waves.
There is an upper and lower deck. The seats are comfortable which is good because you are supposed to remain seated during the trip. There are of course toilets and vending machines and a large video screen that shows you information about the various islands in an entertaining way.
Your luggage which you need to bring onboard yourself is placed in a dedicated luggage area. You can access your luggage during the crossing. You cannot go outside but looking through the rear-windows at the impressive spray of foam in the wake of the ferry gives you a good impression of its power. You'll pay 1,000 yen /one way for any luggage which is over 120cm wide, total weight over 20kg (if two pieces, the total for both；with upper limit of 30kg).
All relevant information can be found at Tokaikisen's jet ferries
Large passenger ferry
The large ferries stop at all the islands via two routes. They generally sail at night, departing Tokyo around 11 pm and reach the first islands early the next day. There are several cabin types for those who want a bed or futon and there are reclining seats if you want to save some money. Coin-operated showers, a restaurant and of course the ubiquitous vending machines can make the journey more comfortable. Full details about the ferries at Tokaikisen's large ferrry
- The Salvia-Maru leaves Tokyo about 10-11pm daily and serves all the Inner Islands in north-south order (Oshima, Toshima, Niijima, Shikinejima and/or Kozushima). Then it goes back to Tokyo.
- The Tachibana Maru basically leaves Tokyo around 10:30 pm and arrives at Miyakejima, Mikurajima and/or Hachijojima the next morning. That ferry returns to Tokyo the next morning.
*Ferries may not be in service or may be cancelled due to oceanic conditions or schedules.
*Please check the operation status on THE OFFICIAL TOKAI KISEN WEBSITE on the day of departure.(Japanese Only)
By air
New Central Air Service (Shin Chuo airservice) has flights from Chofu airport (from Shinjuku about 20 minutes on the Keio line). To Oshima (about ¥10,000 for a 25 minute flight), Niijima (about ¥14,000 for a 40 minute flight), Kozushima (about ¥15,000 for a 45 minute flight) and Miyakejima (about ¥17,500 for a 50 minute flight).
ANA has flights from Haneda airport to HACHIJOJIMA only. One-way fares range from 10,390 yen to roughly 20,000 yen
Click HERE to book your ticket from Chofu airport to Oshima, Niijima, Kozushima or Miyakejima
Click HERE to book your ticket from Haneda airport to Hachijojima
By Helicopter
If you want to go from one island to another, you can take a helicopter. The helicopter company connects some islands to others.
Hachijojima ⇔ Aogashima 20 min (¥11,750 for one way)
Hachijojima ⇔ Mikurashima 25 min (¥12,820 for one way)
Mikurashima ⇔ Miyakejima 10 min (¥5,870 for one way)
Oshima ⇔ Miyakejima 20 min (¥11,880 for one way)
Oshima ⇔ Toshima 10 min (¥7,370 for one way)
Although it is a very rare experience to be able to ride in a helicopter, it is an important transportation system for the islanders and has only nine seats. Go to the counter on the day of your visit and make a reservation if seats are available.
More information about Tokyo Island Shuttle (Helicopter)
Travel times and indications of ticket fares
The rate will be adjusted according to the season. These fees are an approximation of the peak season (May 2023 research).
Oshima Island(Izu Oshima)
- by Large ferry about 6 hours and about ¥13,000(2nd class seat)~ for a round trip from Takeshiba port in Tokyo
- by high speed ferry about 1 hours 45 minutes and about ¥17,000 for a round trip from Takeshiba port in Tokyo
- by high speed ferry about 45 minutes and about ¥11,000 for a round trip from Atami port in Shizuoka
- by airplane about 30 minutes and ¥22,400 for a round trip from Chofu airport in Tokyo.
Toshima Island
- by Large Ferry about 6 hours and about ¥14,000 (2nd class seat)~ for a round trip from Takeshiba port in Tokyo
- by high speed ferry under 2 hours and about ¥21,000 for a round trip from Takeshiba port in Tokyo
Niijima Island
- by Large Ferry about 8.5 hours and about ¥17,000 (2nd class seat)~ for a round trip from Takeshiba port in Tokyo
- by high speed ferry about 2 hours 20 minutes and about ¥25,000 for a round trip from Takeshiba port in Tokyo
- by airplane about 40 minutes and about ¥26,100 for a round trip from Chofu airport in Tokyo.
Shikinejima Island
- by Large Ferry about 9 hours and about ¥17,000 (2nd class seat)~ for a round trip from Takeshiba port in Tokyo
- by high speed ferry about 2 hours 20 minutes and about ¥25,000 for a round trip from Takeshiba port in Tokyo
Kozushima Island
- by Large Ferry about 9 hours 55 minutes and about ¥19,000 (2nd class seat)~ for a round trip from Takeshiba port in Tokyo
- by high speed ferry about 3 hours 5 minutes and about ¥25,000 for a round trip from Takeshiba port in Tokyo
- by high speed ferry about 1 hour 55 minutes and about ¥17,000 for a round trip from Atami port in Shizuoka(Only the peak seasons)
- by airplane about 45 minutes and about ¥28,200 for a round trip from Chofu airport in Tokyo.
Miyakejima Island
- by Large Ferry about 6 hours 30 minutes and about ¥19,000 (2nd class seat)~ for a round trip from Takeshiba port in Tokyo
- no high speed ferry available
- by airplane about 50 minutes and about ¥31,900 for a round trip from Chofu airport in Tokyo.
Mikurashima Island
- by Large Ferry about 7 hours 25 minutes and about ¥21,000 (2nd class seat)~ for a round trip from Takeshiba port in Tokyo
- no high speed ferry available
Hachijojima Island
- by Large Ferry about 10 hours 20 minutes and about ¥23,000(2nd class seat)~ for a round trip from Takeshiba port in Tokyo
- no high speed ferry available
- by airplane about 55 minutes and about ¥26,000 for a round trip from Haneda airport in Tokyo.
Aogashima Island
- by Ferry about 3 hours and about ¥6,000 (2nd class seat)~ for a round trip from Hachijojima Island *It does not operate every day. Please see the website. Also you don't need to book the ferry tickets. Please go to the port and buy the tickets.
More information: Izu Shoto Kaihatsu Cooperation
Seasonal moods
In the Japanese holiday season some extra routes may be available and note that during high season ferries and even extra ferries can be fully booked; booking in advance is highly recommended.
Weather can seriously interfere with a traveller's schedule. Although especially the high speed ferry is not so much affected by waves, understand that when a typhoon passes all ferry travel could be rescheduled or stopped entirely; keep an eye out on the forecast in typhoon season.
Harbor information
Takeshiba port: The Port of the Center of Tokyo
Most ferries leave from the Takeshiba pier in downtown Tokyo. The useful stations are Takeshiba station, served by Yurikamome line monorail, Hamamatsu-cho station, served by two JR East lines: the circular Yamanote Line and Keihin-Tōhoku Line or Daimon station, served by metro subway: Oedo line and Asakusa line.
1. Takeshiba station by Yurikamome monorail line
Getting to the pier takes just a couple of minutes walk from the exit of the station. The gate is connected to the second floor of the port, so to get to the information center at the Takeshiba Passenger Ferry Terminal, go down to the first floor.
2. Hamamatsu-cho station by JR Yamanote line or Keihin-Tōhoku line
Getting to the pier is a 10-minute walk from the north-exit of the station. It is a modern complex with waiting area and a restaurant. For a wider variety of meals you better have something before arriving at the pier.
3. Daimon station by metro Oedo line or Asakusa line
Getting to the pier is a 10-minute walk from the exit of the station. Especially The train platform of Oedo line is very deep and it takes a long time to get above ground.
Atami port: travel via Atami in Shizuoka prefecture
Look at the map again and you see that the red line also connects to from Atami on the mainland Izu peninsula. This takes only 1 hour by high speed ferry to Oshima island and also cheaper. A ten-minute shuttle bus connects the railway station and the pier. During peak season, such as summer, a jet ferry also operates to Kozushima island.
While not used by many travelers, this tip gives you a direct connection with the Fuji/Hakone region or even Osaka and Kyoto. Without backtracking to Tokyo. Because to/from Atami you can ride both the JR and some shinkansen lines. And Odawara, which has a beautiful Japanese castle and is the main access point to Hakone, is only a short train ride from Atami. So, be adventurous and follow this trail!
Book the ferry tickets from Tokyo Islands
TOKAIKISEN customer center: 03-5472-9999 (Office hours: 9:30am-6:00pm daily)
Disclaimer
*Although put together carefully and correct at the time of writing, transport information gets easily outdated. Always check in advance the relevant companies for schedule and prices on the dates of your trip.
More Access Information
Tips For Fast, Affordable Access To Kozushima, Shikinejima, Niijima, and Toshima island
Getting from the Kansai area(Osaka, Kyoto or Kobe) to the Tokyo Izu Islands
