Hachijō-jimaAbout Hachijō-jima
Hachijō-jima is a volcanic island in the Izu archipelago administered as part of Tokyo Metropolis, located to the south of the Izu Islands chain. The island has a subtropical climate, volcanic landscapes and coastal beaches, and serves as a local tourist destination for hiking, diving and hot springs.
Its central feature is Mount Hachijo-Fuji, a conical volcanic peak rising to about 854 metres that dominates the island’s topography and provides hiking routes to panoramic viewpoints. Other attractions include seaworthy reefs for diving, coastal scenery and small hot-spring facilities.
Hachijō-jima was used as a place of exile during the Tokugawa period and later developed as a local fishing and agricultural community before gaining a tourism role in the 20th century. Modern transport links include scheduled ferry and air services to the mainland and Tokyo.
The island lies in the Philippine Sea as part of the Izu Islands chain, several hundred kilometres south of central Tokyo, and is one of the larger inhabited islands in the group.
- Administration and access: Administratively part of Tokyo Prefecture, the island is reached by ferry or air services from Tokyo and has a subtropical climate with beaches and hot springs.
What to See#
- Mount Hachijo-Fuji (c. 854 m): Mount Hachijo-Fuji, the island’s central volcanic cone rising to around 854 metres, is the principal landmark and a popular hiking objective.
Best Time to Visit Hachijō-jima
Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather and fewer typhoon disruptions; summer is hot, humid and carries higher typhoon risk.
Weather & Climate near Hachijō-jima
Hachijō-jima's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 9°C to 29°C. Heavy rainfall (2611 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 9° - 15° | 12° | 136 mm | overcast | 72% | 4.9 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.1h |
| February | Poor | 9° - 15° | 12° | 148 mm | overcast | 73% | 4.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Acceptable | 11° - 17° | 14° | 200 mm | overcast | 73% | 4.8 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 11.9h |
| April | Acceptable | 14° - 20° | 17° | 210 mm | overcast | 75% | 5.2 m/s | 1.3 high | 12.9h |
| May | Good | 17° - 23° | 20° | 252 mm | overcast | 80% | 4.5 m/s | 1.6 very high | 13.8h |
| June | Good | 20° - 25° | 23° | 321 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.1 m/s | 1.6 very high | 14.2h |
| July | Good | 23° - 28° | 26° | 176 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.1 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 14.0h |
| August | Very Good | 24° - 29° | 27° | 202 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.2h |
| September | Very Good | 23° - 28° | 25° | 279 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.1 m/s | 1.5 very high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | 19° - 24° | 22° | 332 mm | overcast | 76% | 5.2 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Acceptable | 16° - 21° | 18° | 221 mm | overcast | 72% | 4.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.3h |
| December | Acceptable | 12° - 17° | 14° | 134 mm | overcast | 72% | 4.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.8h |
How to Get to Hachijō-jima
Hachijō-jima (Hachijo Island) is part of Tokyo Prefecture and is reached by air or sea from the Tokyo area. Regular flights operate from Tokyo Haneda to Hachijojima Airport (about 45-60 minutes), and overnight/long-distance ferries depart from Tokyo (Takeshiba) to Hachijō-jima (several hours; schedules vary by season). On the island the port and airport are a short taxi or local-bus ride from the main settlement (a few hundred metres to a couple of kilometres depending on drop-off).
Tips for Visiting Hachijō-jima
- Book ferry or flight reservations in advance and check schedules carefully: connections to Hachijō-jima from Tokyo (ferries and flights) are limited and change seasonally, so confirm outbound and return services before planning activities.
- Rent a car or scooter soon after arrival when possible - public buses are infrequent and many of the island's beaches, hot springs and viewpoints are easiest to reach by private vehicle or bicycle.
- Avoid peak typhoon season when scheduling (typically late summer) and plan outdoor activities (snorkelling, hikes) for mornings when winds and seas tend to be calmer.