Fall Asleep in Tokyo, Wake Up on an Island

Not many people know this, but Tokyo has islands. Eleven of them, actually, and every single one is officially part of Tokyo. Today I want to tell you about my favorite, Niijima.

Getting there

You can get there on a tiny plane, but the boat is easier and way more fun. Ferries leave from the Takeshiba terminal in Tokyo, usually at night. You fall asleep on board and wake up the next morning at the island!

There are two main routes. The ones in brackets are harder to arrange, so you can skip them for now.

(1) Takeshiba → Oshima → Toshima → Niijima → Shikinejima → Kozushima

(2) Takeshiba → Miyakejima → Mikurajima → Hachijojima → (Aogashima)

(3) (Takeshiba → Chichijima → Hahajima)

Why Niijima

The most popular islands are Oshima (also called Izu Oshima) and Hachijojima, but the one I really want to recommend is Niijima!

The boat leaves Takeshiba at around 10.40 pm and arrives at around 8.30 the next morning.

The sea around Niijima is so, so beautiful. Habushiura Beach even hosts international surfing competitions. It honestly feels like a beach much further south. The sand is white, the blue coastline goes on and on, and the first time I saw it I was speechless.

You can rent a bike and ride along the coast, which feels amazing!

A free hot spring by the sea

The most special thing on the island is Yunohama, an open-air hot spring that is free and open 24 hours a day. It sits right by the ocean and looks a little like the Parthenon. You can walk in any time and soak while you watch the sea. There is nothing else quite like it.

One day off is enough

Even with a full-time job you can totally go. Leave on Friday night, take the boat back on Monday morning, and you will be in Tokyo again by the evening. You only need one day off!

The boat ride is part of the fun too. As you sail out of Tokyo Bay at night, you pass under the Rainbow Bridge all lit up, and it is gorgeous.

Every island has its own character. Go with friends or go on your own. Either way, I think it makes a perfect little escape.

Have a lovely weekend!