About Izu Ōshima
Izu Ōshima is a volcanic island in the Izu archipelago administered as part of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. The island’s most notable feature is the active volcano Mount Mihara, which dominates the landscape.
The island offers hiking on volcanic trails, coastal roads with sea views and small port settlements. The crater rim on Mount Mihara rises to about 764 metres and is a primary destination for day hikes; Motomachi is the main arrival point for ferries and boats.
The island formed through repeated volcanic eruptions; Mount Mihara has produced recorded eruptions in the 20th century, most recently causing evacuations in the 1980s. Administration falls under Oshima Town within Tokyo Metropolis and local infrastructure developed around maritime and air links to the mainland.
Izu Ōshima sits in the Philippine Sea roughly south of mainland Tokyo, at the northern end of the Izu Islands chain. The island is reachable by ferry and by short regional flights from the Tokyo area, and its terrain is dominated by volcanic slopes and a rocky coastline.
- Active volcano: Active volcano status means eruption alerts and access restrictions can be issued; check Tokyo Metropolitan or local Oshima town notices before travel.
- Viewing points: Best viewpoints are the crater rim and coastal roads on the island’s east side, which offer clear views of the volcano and surrounding ocean on calm days.
What to See#
- Mount Mihara: Prominent volcanic summit on the island, rising to about 764 metres and featuring a well-defined crater rim that is accessible by marked trails.
- Motomachi Port: Motomachi, the island’s main port and settlement, which is the primary ferry and passenger-boat landing for services to and from mainland Tokyo.
- Izu Ōshima Airport: Izu Ōshima Airport, a small regional airfield serving scheduled flights from the Tokyo area and providing the fastest access to the island.
Nearby Attractions to Izu Ōshima
Best Time to Visit Izu Ōshima
Spring and summer are the most popular times: spring for cherry blossom displays, summer for beach and festival activities.
Weather & Climate near Izu Ōshima
Izu Ōshima's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 1°C to 27°C. Heavy rainfall (2155 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 1° - 10° | 1° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 6.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.0h |
| February | Acceptable | 1° - 10° | 1° | 102 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 5.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 12° | 5° | 167 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 5.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 8° - 17° | 12° | 178 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 5.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.9h |
| May | Acceptable | 12° - 20° | 16° | 194 mm | overcast | 81% | 4.7 m/s | 1.5 high | 13.8h |
| June | Good | 16° - 22° | 19° | 268 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.3 m/s | 1.5 very high | 14.3h |
| July | Good | 19° - 26° | 23° | 193 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.1h |
| August | Very Good | 21° - 27° | 24° | 241 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 4.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.3h |
| September | Very Good | 18° - 25° | 21° | 268 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.3h |
| October | Acceptable | 13° - 20° | 17° | 236 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 6.0 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Good | 9° - 16° | 12° | 146 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 5.4 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.2h |
| December | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 5° | 79 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 5.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.7h |
How to Get to Izu Ōshima
High-speed ferries and slower car ferries depart Tokyo (Takeshiba, Takeshiba to Oshima) and from other Izu Islands; crossing time varies with vessel. Check ferry company timetables and book in advance during peak season.
Tips for Visiting Izu Ōshima
- Take the ferry from Takeshiba or from Tokyo's Odaiba area - check schedules as crossings are weather-dependent.
- If visiting to see Mount Mihara's volcanic landscape, stick to marked paths; some areas remain geothermally active.
- Book accommodation early for the island's few guesthouses during sakura season and summer.
