Aogashima Island – Japan’s Remote Volcanic Village Inside a Crater
Located in the Philippine Sea, a couple of hundred miles south of Tokyo, lies the remote and secluded island of Aogashima. Administered by Tokyo and part of the Izu Archipelago, the island is home to only 205 inhabitants (as of 2009) and boasts a unique volcanic caldera within a larger caldera, giving it a tropical and almost otherworldly appearance.
Access to the island is only possible by boat or helicopter, making it a true adventure for those who choose to visit. The best way to reach Aogashima is to fly to one of the larger islands in the archipelago, such as Hachijō-jima, with a landing strip and then organize a helicopter flight to the island.
Aogashima is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park system, which encompasses many of the islands in the area, making it a great destination for island hopping and taking in the surrounding natural beauty. The island itself offers a chance to relax and unwind, with a geothermal sauna, popular scuba diving, and an otherworldly landscape that will leave a lasting impression.
Although the island has been geologically calm since the 1780s, it is important to note that it was the site of a series of earthquakes, known as an “earthquake swarm” in the 1780’s and a large eruption in 1785 that killed 130-140 people, nearly half of the island’s population.
Despite its potential danger, Aogashima is a beautiful place to visit, and you can reach the island from Hachijō-jima by helicopter or ferry. The island offers hiking trails up to the rim of the interior volcano where you can cook eggs in the steam vents, beautiful views of the night sky absent light pollution, and a sauna powered by volcanic activity in town. Relaxed, quiet, and beautiful, Aogashima serves as an escape from the mania of modern Tokyo, and it just might be worth the risk of active volcano.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Aogashima Island, Tokyo, Japan
- Coordinates
- 32.4582, 139.7679
- Access
- Reach Aogashima via Hachijojima by scheduled ferry or reserved helicopter; Tokyo’s current island-access board provides same-day operation status, and services can be cancelled for weather. The Tokyo metropolitan island guide gives about 3 hours by ferry and 20 minutes by helicopter; GO TOKYO lists about 2½ hours by ferry. Reserve lodging and keep a flexible return buffer because missed or cancelled services can delay departure.
- Admission
- No island-wide admission ticket or visitor gate is listed. Transport and accommodation are separate costs. GO TOKYO describes the campsite as free, but the village requires advance reservation; weather or local notices can suspend use, so confirm with the village before relying on it.
- Time needed
- GO TOKYO says one night and two days covers most of the island. This is time on Aogashima, not a guaranteed door-to-door trip: ferry and helicopter schedules are limited and weather-sensitive, so leave a flexible return buffer.
- Best season
- The Tokyo Islands tourism guide identifies April–May and mid-July–August as generally favorable periods, while warning that winter winds and autumn typhoons can disrupt transport. These are broad planning patterns, not guarantees; check the forecast and live service board before departure.
- Opening hours
- Aogashima is an inhabited island, not a gated attraction, and has no island-wide opening hours. The village currently says its Fureai geothermal sauna is closed until further notice because Typhoons 22 and 23 damaged it and safety cannot be ensured. Older posted sauna hours are superseded by this closure. Check village notices for reopening; other facilities have their own schedules or reservation rules.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-24
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-26
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Remarkable photos
WOW !!
i cant belive that this place is real.
I WOULD LIKE TO BE CONNECTED WITH A PERSON LIVING ON
AOGASHIMA ISLAND. I AM ITALIAN – I AM A BEGINNER IN LEARNING
JAPANESE BUT I AM FLUENT IN ENGLISH. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
BEST REGARDS FRANCESCO
Why are there stripes on the small cone in the center of the island?