Mikurajima

Mikurajima (御蔵島), a small island located in the Pacific Ocean approximately 200 kilometers south of Tokyo, Japan, is part of the Izu Islands and falls under the administration of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

With a population of around 300 people, the island’s main industries are fishing and tourism. Mikurajima is renowned for its pristine beaches, clear waters teeming with marine life, and lush forests. These attributes make it a popular destination for divers and snorkelers, who are drawn to the island’s rich underwater world.

The island is most famous for its resident population of wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, which frequently interact with boats and swimmers, offering a unique and unforgettable experience. Mikurajima boasts an impressive dolphin encounter rate of over 98%, making it a prime location for dolphin watching and swimming tours.

Mikurajima has a fascinating history, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Jomon period (10,000-300 BCE). During the Edo period, it served as a penal colony. However, today, tourists flock to the island to escape the urban hustle and bustle and immerse themselves in Japan’s natural beauty.

The island’s dense primeval forests, often referred to as the “Galapagos of the East,” are home to numerous giant trees, some estimated to be several hundred years old. One of these forests serves as a nesting ground for the Swinhoe’s storm petrel, designated as a national natural treasure.

Getting there

Access by Ferry

From Tokyo (Takeshiba Pier):

• Travel time: About 7 hours 30 minutes
• Departure: Around 22:00
• Arrival: Around 06:30 the next morning
• Fare: 26,280 yen round trip

Access by Plane and Helicopter

Via Hachijojima:

• Fly from Haneda Airport to Hachijojima (55 minutes)
• Take a helicopter from Hachijojima to Mikurajima
• Total travel time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total one-way cost: About 33,000 yen

Via Miyakejima:

• Fly from Chofu Airport to Miyakejima (about 50 minutes)
• Take a helicopter from Miyakejima to Mikurajima
• Total travel time: About 1 hour
• Total one-way cost: About 25,970 yen

Izu Islands

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Links and Resources

Mikurajima Village	http://mikurasima.jp/
Tokai Kisen	https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/