Leaving Tokyo southbound from Chofu Airport and riding on a 19 seats airplane approximately for 45 minutes, visitors easily will land in Nii-jima island. Nii-jima is also 2 hours and 20 minutes away by jet boat from Takeshiba Sanbashi , in Tokyo, operated by Tokai Kisen and other ferries leave from Shimoda (Shizuoka Prefecture).
Nii-jima is in reality a volcanic Japanese island in the Philippine Sea. It is one of Izu Seven Islands group of Izu archipelago located at only 36 kilometres south of Shimoda Shizuoka Prefecture and 163 kilometres south of Tokyo. The island is also within the boundaries of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
This volcanic island is formed by a type of stone called kogaseki (rhyolite) is only mined on Nii-jima Island and Lipari in Italy.
Even at them arrival to Nii-jima Island visitors will face cars plates related Tokyo Metropolitan Government, soon will forget they’re still in Japan.
A very quiet little port, a rich green surroundings peaks blend with a blue sea dive you in a stunning atmosphere. Even though Nii-jima is located relatively close to Honshu, the small population and lower exploitation has allowed the island’s natural wildlife to be preserved very well, and many varieties can be seen in special way a biodiversity of marine mammals.
There are also sightings of extremely rare and critically endangered species such as the northern elephant seal and North Pacific right whales and Sea lion. Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins that have seemingly moved to here along with nesting sea turtles, and the occasional visiting manta ray. Although on a different island, in the past a salt water crocodile has appeared on the near island of Hachijo-jima.
This island is home to long stretches of white sandy beach, azure oceans, but the waves are main attraction for surfers and water activities.
BEACHES — Habushi Coast (east side) It is approximately 6.5 meters long, and is one of Japan’s most renowned surfing spots (professional surfing competitions are held there each year).
– Maehama Beach (western side)
It sees many wind surfers and the triathlon and ocean water swims take place here. The unceasing waves that break upon the white shores of Nii-jima Island are certain to bring pleasant winds with them.
TOURIST SPOT
Yunohama Roten Onsen
just five minutes by foot from Nii-jima Port, features 6 large and small baths. It is based on the image of an ancient Greek temple, visitors may access the baths 24 hours a day at no cost. It accommodates up to 100 bathers and the water used in the bath is drawn from the ocean below.
-Mamashita Onsen
It contains a wide range of facilities including a sauna, rotenburo (at open air baths), and public bath.Best value is try the Sand baths, featuring white sand from the Habushiura Coast that has been warmed by a natural hot spring.
-Choei-ji Choei Temple, a temple dedicated to Nichiren Buddhism.
This heritage place is recognized by the Tokyo government as caretakers of intangible cultural assets for the Kagura music and sacred dancing, known as Shishi- kiyari that are held every December 8th.
Beside the temple lies the Exiles’ Cemetery covered with the local white sand, is dominated by the gravestones of the 118 exiles, banished to Nii-jima by the Tokugawa Shogunate (Edo period).
Komori Yasu, from the kabuki story ‘Yowa Nasake Ukinano Yokoguchi’ is buried here.
-Moyai Hill
It is overlooking Yunohama and Maehama beaches and contains more than 100 large stone carvings. Moyai , in the local dialect, means ‘to work together in effort’, and these statues make evident this effort. Going out at JR Shibuya station in Tokyo on the western side a giant Moyai statue is present, it is a gift from the people of Nii-jima.
ISLAND PRODUCTS
“Nii-jima Glass,” an olive-colored, translucent glass made from Kogaseki. It is possible make a reservation at the Nii-jima Glass Art Center, where you can take part in a lesson to create an original glass product (enter fee maybe apply)
“Kusaya” A salted and dried fish which is created by the liquid it is marinated in that has been handed down for around 300 years.
Island profile:
Area: 27.77 square kilometers
Population: 2,500 (April, 2008)
Distance from Tokyo: 163 kilometers