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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In whispers of green, A windmill twirls tales untold, Red roofs fade in time. 静かな緑の中で、 風車が語らぬ物語を回し、 赤い屋根が時と共に消えていく。#windmilltales #rusticcharm #natureandcity #urbanserenity #japancontrast #offbeatjapan #japan
Rust cliffs kiss the sea, Turquoise whispers secrets deep— Nature's vivid brush. 崖が海と キスをしながら蒼き 自然の筆。 #offbeatjapan #japan #coastallandscapes #volcanicisland #naturelovers #stunningviews #wanderlust #cliffside
Rust embraces gray tones, Moss dances in vivid green— Nature's quiet claim.錆びた灰色に抱かれ 苔が鮮やかに踊る 自然の静かなる主張#offbeatjapan #japan #industrialart #rustandruin #naturewins #urbanexploration #mossybeauty
Concrete gray fortress Amidst the blue sea's embrace— Silent echoes speak. コンクリートの城 青い海の抱擁の中で— 静かな声が響く。 #Gunkanjima #HashimaIsland #BattleshipIsland #Nagasaki #Urbex #offbeatjapan #japan
Ancient coaster sleeps, Twilight whispers pinks and blues, Nature reclaims all. 崩れたコースターが眠る、 薄桃色と青の夜明けのささやき、 自然が全てを取り戻す。 #offbeatjapan #japan #abandonedplaces #rollercoaster #twilightbeauty #nostalgia #naturestriumph #forgottenamusement
Pink blossoms whisper, Quiet streets cradle old tales, Sky and mountains dream.桃の花囁く、 静かな道に古い物語を抱え、 空と山は夢見る。#cherryblossoms #japanesetradition #countrysidecharm #historicaljapan #sakura #offbeatjapan #japan
Dust veils whispered past, Ghostly echoes cradle dreams, Where silence presides.静寂の中で、 囁かれた夢は、 埃に包まれる。#offbeatjapan #japan #urbandecay #abandonedplaces #hauntingbeauty #forgottenworlds #silenthalls #explorejapan
Yellow noren glow, In a calm, verdant alley— Silent history.---黄色の暖簾、 静かな緑の小路に— 静寂の歴史。---#japanesehistory #traditionaljapan #serenealley #historicdistrict #japanesearchitecture #offbeatjapan #japan