Major city · Japan
Ogasawara Islands小笠原諸島
Go only if you can give it 6+ nights: the ferry from Tokyo takes 24 h each way and sails every 3 days, so a short trip is impossible.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Feb–Apr for whales; May–Jun and Oct–Nov for diving and hiking
- avoid Jul–Sep (typhoon season, ferry cancellations); mid-Aug (Obon demand)
- Airports
- HND · NRT
- Nights
- 6–8
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
The Ogasawara Islands are a UNESCO World Natural Heritage archipelago about 1,000 km south of Tokyo, reachable only by a 24-hour ferry from Takeshiba. Of 30+ islands, only Chichijima and Hahajima are inhabited. Sea life, diving, whale watching and forest trails are the draw; the crossing and the schedule set the shape of every trip.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ogasawara Islands, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are the sea, the sun and the ferry schedule.
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHND Tokyo Haneda (Nearest major airport to Takeshiba pier; no airport on the islands, so the ferry is the only public access.).
- Getting aroundcheckChichijima has a public bus several times daily linking most sights (single fare ¥300 (≈ US$3), check).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or a cold drink¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a grocery store¥600–900 (≈ US$5–7)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideChichijima bus ride¥300 (≈ US$3) (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedYouth hostel or dorm bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room¥35,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥8,000 (≈ US$55) · Mid ¥14,000 (≈ US$95) · High ¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HND Tokyo Haneda (Nearest major airport to Takeshiba pier; no airport on the islands, so the ferry is the only public access.) · NRT Tokyo Narita (Long-haul arrivals; allow a night in Tokyo before the ferry and a buffer day after it.)
Weather and climate
Ogasawara Islands: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C68°F
15°C59°F
10 rd
Feb
20°C68°F
15°C59°F
9 rd
Mar
21°C70°F
16°C61°F
10 rd
Apr
23°C73°F
18°C64°F
10 rd
May
25°C77°F
20°C68°F
11 rd
Jun
28°C82°F
23°C73°F
10 rd
Jul
30°C86°F
25°C77°F
9 rd
Aug
31°C88°F
26°C79°F
10 rd
Sep
30°C86°F
25°C77°F
11 rd
Oct
28°C82°F
23°C73°F
12 rd
Nov
25°C77°F
20°C68°F
10 rd
Dec
22°C72°F
17°C63°F
10 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Chichijima has a public bus several times daily linking most sights (single fare ¥300, check). Taxis, 50cc moped rentals (Japanese licence required), cars and bicycles are available; many guesthouses lend bicycles. The Hahajima-maru runs Chichijima–Hahajima roughly every other day, about 2 h, timed to the Tokyo ferry. No regular service to other islands.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hahajima
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h each way
Hahajima-maru from Chichijima, about 2 h, roughly every other day
Timed to the Tokyo ferry; sleep at least one night rather than day-tripping.
Minamijima
goDoor to door: Half day
Permit and guided landing from Chichijima; no independent landing
Landing numbers are capped; arrange through the tourist association.
Anijima
cautionDoor to door: Half to full day
Charter or tour boat from Chichijima
No regular service; go with an operator.
Mukojima group
cautionDoor to door: Full day
Occasional charter from Chichijima
Charters only, and not every season.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Chichijima — Ōmura and Higashimachi
The main village: ferry pier, tourist association, grocery stores, most minshuku and the two hotels. Walkable; the bus stops here.
Chichijima — Ogiura and Nishimachi
Quieter, near Ogiura Beach and the Ōgiura-Yuhodo trailhead; a few hotels and minshuku.
Hahajima — Ōki and Kitamura
About ten minshuku and a youth hostel; book ahead, they fill. Two hours by the Hahajima-maru from Chichijima.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥12,000–20,000 (≈ US$85–140) excl. bed
- High
- ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Minshuku, per person with meals2 × 7 nights × ¥11,000 | ¥154,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 7 days × ¥14,000 | ¥196,000 |
| Ogasawara Maru, second class, one way2 × ¥29,250 · check; private cabins from about ¥57,670 | ¥58,500 |
| Hahajima-maru, Chichijima–Hahajima, one way2 × ¥4,000 · check | ¥8,000 |
| Chichijima bus, single fare2 × ¥300 · check | ¥600 |
| Whale watching or dolphin swim tour2 × ¥12,000 · check | ¥24,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥66,920 |
| Trip total≈ ¥36,640 per person per day, bed included | ¥513,020≈ US$3,500 |
Mostly cash only; shared bathrooms.
2026 estimate in yen; the ferry is the biggest single cost. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or a cold drink | ¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Bento or papaya curry at a local shop | ¥800–1,300 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a grocery store | ¥600–900 (≈ US$5–7) / ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Shimazushi (island sushi) setcheck | ¥1,500–3,000 (≈ US$11–25) |
| Chichijima bus ride | ¥300 (≈ US$3) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The ferry sails every three days each way and takes 24 h in good weather; rough seas mean late arrival. Leave a buffer before any onward flight.
- Book the ferry and your bed together and early; summer and holidays sell out.
- Typhoon season (roughly Jul–Sep) can cancel sailings; travel insurance that covers the ferry is worth it.
- Most minshuku take cash only and have shared bathrooms.
- Iwo Jima and other WWII sites are off limits without a permit: unexploded ordnance.
- Sea turtle dishes are legal and traditional here; decide before you order.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Ogasawara Islands小笠原諸島
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
No embassies on the islands; the US embassy and most others are in Tokyo. The village tourist association can help in English.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Takeshiba → Chichijima, Ogasawara Maru, second class: from about ¥29,250 (≈ US$200), 24 h, every 3 days (check)
- Chichijima → Hahajima, Hahajima-maru: about 2 h, roughly every other day (check)
- Chichijima bus, single: ¥300 (≈ US$3) (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Most minshuku are cash only: bring enough yen from Tokyo.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ogasawara Islands. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Feb–Apr for whales; May–Jun and Oct–Nov for diving and hiking · avoid Jul–Sep (typhoon season, ferry cancellations); mid-Aug (Obon demand) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-to-bed contract for the Ogasawara Maru: sailing calendar, cabin classes, late-arrival buffer, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters on Chichijima: Ōmura village, Ogiura and the Ōgiura-Yuhodo trail, Kominato, Sakaiura.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Minamijima landing rules, trailheads, dive shops) and eat pages with last orders.
- Typhoon and cancellation fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Meanwhile