Hahajima Island

What to know

Hahajima Island (母島, Mother Island) is the only inhabited island of the Ogasawara Islands besides Chichijima. Located 40 kilometers further south, Hahajima is somewhat smaller, less developed and even more remote than Chichijima. However, it shares the same climate and offers a lot of the same outdoor attractions such as beaches, snorkeling, jungle trekking and whale and dolphin watching.

Like Chichijima, Hahajima is home to some unique animal and plant species. To protect the natural environment, visitors must pay attention not to import any seeds or alien species to the island and refrain from collecting or otherwise harming the local plants and wildlife. For this reason camping and off-trail hiking are strictly prohibited throughout the island. Visitors are also encouraged to use human power as much as possible to get around the island.

Hahajima Island measures about 15 kilometers in length, but only 2-3 kilometers in width. The northern half of the island is home to the former Kita Port and a few abandoned wartime gun batteries. Hiking trails lead up to the island's tallest peak, Mount Chibusa.

The island's only sizable village is centered around Oki Port, the arrival point of ferries from Chichijima. The village consists of a ferry terminal building with a tourist information desk and a handful of residences, shops, tour companies and pensions, including a JA bank with a postal ATM that accepts international credit and debit cards. Dining options outside accommodations are very limited.

The southern half of the island offers a variety of beaches where visitors can enjoy sunbathing and snorkeling. An attractive walking trail leads from the southern end of Hahajima's main road, Tokyo's southernmost metropolitan road, for about 2.5 kilometers or about one hour through the jungle to the peak of Mount Kofuji at the southern tip of the island. The top of the mountain has a viewpoint with views over Hahajima and the smaller islands to the south.

Offshoots of the trail to Mount Kofuji lead to several remote beaches along the way. The best, Minamizaki Beach, lies just west of the mountain and offers clear blue water and excellent snorkeling. Be careful as the coral beach can be rough on bare feet, especially during low tide, and do not venture out past the mouth of the small bay as the currents quickly become strong and dangerous. Snorkeling at Minamizaki Beach How to get to Hahajima Hahajima Island is accessible by the Hahajima-maru Ferry from Chichijima Island. The one way trip takes about two hours and costs about 6000 yen.