Scenic coastal hiking trail on Hachijojima volcanic island
Winding coastal trail on lush volcanic Hachijojima Island offers breathtaking ocean and Mount Hachijo-Fuji views.

Hachijo-jima: Island of Fallen Samurai

Hachijo-jima, though lying in the Pacific Ocean over 280 km from Tokyo, belongs to the Japanese capital. Visit this land redolent with history …

This small volcanic island, part of the Izu archipelago, has a population of just 7,000. Inhabited since the Jōmon period (c. 14,000–300 BC), it has historically been mainly known as a land of exile for fallen samurai.

Osato no Tama-ishigaki
Osato no Tama-ishigaki

The story goes that in the Heian era (794–1185), rebellious samurai Minamoto no Tametomo took refuge on the neighbouring island of Izu Ō-shima after a failed coup, only to finally commit suicide on Hachijo-jima.

Hachijo Royal Hotel
Hachijo Royal Hotel

The village nestles between two volcanoes: Mount Hachijo-fuji and Mount Mihara. The tropical climate favours the development of a rich forest. The landscape is best known for its beauty when the scarlet aloe blooms in February and the colourful freesias and cherry trees of Oshima in March.

Hachijo-Fuji (Nishiyama) 八丈富士

Mount Hachijo-Fuji
Mount Hachijo-Fuji

Mount Hachijo-Fuji (also called Nishiyama) is the highest mountain of the surrounding islands with slopes reaching 854 metres. The volcano has been dormant since its last eruption in 1605. The mountain is known as the “Fuji of Hachijo” for the crater shape reminiscent of Mount Fuji.

Mount Hachijo-Fuji
Mount Hachijo-Fuji

The ascent from the foot of the mountain used to take two days. But since the construction of a road that leads directly to the seventh station, the route is much easier. At this station is the Fureai farm, where visitors can rest before their climb.

Osato no Tama-ishigaki (大里の玉石垣)

Osato district has retained many legacies of Hachijo-jima’s (sometimes tragic) past. The walls built with piled-up stones are typical of the archipelago and make for a unique landscape on an island noted for storms and heavy rains.

Osato no Tama-ishigaki
Osato no Tama-ishigaki

To protect themselves from bad weather, people built stone walls following the Tama-ishigaki assembly technique of setting groups of six stones around a round stone. Trees with large leaves, such as camellia, have also been planted as a windbreak.

Osato no Tama-ishigaki
Osato no Tama-ishigaki

One hypothesis is that the stones used to build the walls were collected on the beaches of Maezakigahama and Yokomagaura by those banished there. The walls are considered to be an important heritage that bears witness to the island’s past as a land of exile.

Nanpara Senjojiki

Near the port of Yaene, Nanpara Senjojiki is a huge volcanic lava plateau. This wide black lava plateau (500 metres long by 100 metres wide) has eroded over time to form a rock, a prime site for fishing.

Nanpara Senjojiki
Nanpara Senjojiki

Uramigataki

Uramigataki is a hiking trail behind a waterfall. At the end of the trail (a 20-minute walk) is an outdoor hot spring where you can admire the splendid view.

Mount Hachijo-Fuji
Mount Hachijo-Fuji

Miharashi no Yu (Spa of Vista), Sueyoshi hot springs

Miharashi no Yu is a hot spring spa facing the Pacific Ocean, with another spectacular view.

Miharashi no Yu
Miharashi no Yu

Nago observation bridge

This observation point is at the top of a steep cliff 180 metres high. In autumn, the moon seen from this bridge is on the list of the “Eight Best Views of Hachijo-jima”.

Mount Hachijo-Fuji
Mount Hachijo-Fuji

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Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Pines whisper secrets, Under curved tiles and clear skies, Stone lanterns in peace. 松が囁き 曲がる瓦の下、 石灯籠、静かに。 #offbeatjapan #japan #traditionandnature #dojospirit #japanesearchitecture #peacefulplaces #serenesettings
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