Ogasawara Tourist Co.Ltd Tel:04998-2-7771 Fax:04998-2-7774
Scenes of Ogasawara
Name of these Islands.
The common English name for this
Islands is "Bonin Islands", which
translates to "uninhabited island". On
the other hand, in Japan this islands
are called "Ogasawara". Although the
discoverer of the islands is debatable,
the name "Ogasawara" comes from
Sadayori Ogasawara who is said to
have discovered these islands first
in 1593.
Where is Ogasawara Islands??
The Ogasawara Islands are an
archipelago of over 30 subtropical and
tropical islands which are scattered in
the ocean over a vertical parameter of
400 kilometers. Ogasawara was
dolphin watching /swimming
 formed from volcanic activity
approximately 48 million years ago and
has never been part of Japan, or any
continent.
Chichijima
The 2 main islands in Ogasawara are Chichijima (literally,
father island) with a population of about 2,000 people and
Hahajima (literaly, mother island) with a population of about
460 people. The other islands are mostly uninhabited except
Iwojima and Minamitorishima which have a small number of
inhabitants.
Transportation
Ogasawara Maru
~How to get to Ogasawara Islands~
In order to preserve the unique ecosystem of Ogasawara,
there is no airport on any of the islands of Ogasawara. The
only means by which to get to Ogasawara is the ocean liner
Ogasawara Maru, which leaves from Takeshiba port in
sunset
 Tokyo Bay about once a week for Chichijima. The sea trip
takes 25,5 hours, and once docking at Chichijima, the
Ogasawara Maru stays for 3 nights before Leaving for Tokyo
Bay. Given the limited transportation options available,
tourists need to allot at least 6 days and 5 nights to plan a
trip to Ogasawara. The Ogasawara Maru is a 6,700 ton,
131m long vessel with a capacity of 1,043 passengers and
is operated by Ogasawara Kaiun Co.Ltd
Hahajima Maru
~How to get to "Hahajima"~
Hahajima is located 50 kilometers south of Chichijima. If you
want to go to Hahajima,you must first get to Chichijima and
then cross from Hutami port in Chichijima to Oki port in
Hahajima by the Hahajima Maru liner. The Hahajima Maru
is a 490 ton vessel with capacity of 130 passenger and is
operated by Tokai Kisen Co.Ltd
Accommodations
There are 55 accommodation facilities in Chichijima and 17
Minamijima-Island
in Hahajima. Most of them are "guest house"style rooms,
but there are also pensions and a hotel (only in Chichijima).
You can choose from either Japanese style rooms with futon
or western style rooms with beds. Some places include 2
meals while others don't. Choose the one that best meets
your plans!!
Activities ~What you can do in Ogasawara~
~In The Ocean~
~Dolphin Watching/Dolphin Swimming tour~
There are tours that will give you an opprtunity to see up
close the inhabitants of the blue ocean.
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins and Spinner Dolphins are
commonly seen around Ogasawara all year around. See
them from the boat or swim with them in the ocean!
~Whale Watching tour~
In Ogasawara there are 2 seasons for whale watching.
＊Humpback Whale･･･from December to the begining of
Trekking
 May.
＊Sperm Whale・・・from June to November.
Let's go out to see these huge and magnificent animals.
~Scuba Diving~
Dive into the amazing blue world!!
Ogasawara has world class diving spots for you to enjoy.
Each season has its charms: in the summer, the water
become a vibrant sapphire, and in the winter,if you're lucky,
you may be able to hear the song of the Humpback whales.
~Ocean kayak tour~
Enjoy the ocean of the Ogasawara without engines!!
paddle on the ocean and feel the waves beneth you as you
enjoy the fresh air filled with the natural wonders of this island.
Going out on a boat isn't the only way to enjoy the oceans of
this beautiful island!!
~Outrigger canoe tour~
Whale Watching
 Outrigger canoe used to be a part of life for the people in
Ogasawara in the olden days. It served sea a vehicle for
fishing as well as a means of transportation between islands.
Even now, you can enjoy this traditional canoe to maneuver
around the island to experience and enjoy Ogasawara's
striling divers to its fullet!
~Snokeling~
With mask, fin and snokels,you can go into a completely
different underwater world! Ogasawara has beautiful beachs
with clear and calm waters that are perfect for snokering.
You can see beautiful coral reefs and tropical fishes just a
few feet from the beach. When you get tired, just take the
gears off and float on the surface of the ocean!!
~Minamijima~
Minamijima is a national monument located 1 kilometer
south-west of Chichijima. The island is home to many flora
and fauna that are unique to this island. The precious
Diving
 ecosystem of this little island has been carefully protected
from invasion by non-indigenous species of plants and
animals. You can get to this small paradise by boat
departing from Chichijima. However, in order to preserve
the natural enviroment, the island is closed off for 3 months
out of the year(from November to Febrary)
~On the Field~
~Trekking in forest tours~
Walk on a forest trail surrounded by plants that you can only
find on these islands. As you walk,listen to the sngs of birds
and the whispering of trees and you may come across some
of the most amazing viewing points in Ogasawara. The
sense that will be upon you when you come out through the
forest is beautiful beyond description!
~Historical War sites tour~
Ogasawara played a major role in World War Ⅱ　－in fact,
President George H.W. Bush's plane crashed of the west
Historical Places
 coast of Chichijima before he was rescued by a U.S.
submarine. During the war, Ogasawara was used mainly
as a fortress. The islands still have ruins of air-raid shelters
and artillery remains, serving as a remainder of the recent
history of the islands.
~Historical Places~
The history of these islands is very unique. For example,
did you know that the first people who settled down on these
islands were American, English, Danish, and Hawaian?
Ogasawara's history is formed through the interaction of
these cultures as well as of the Japanese.
Ogasawara Tourist Co.Ltd
Higashi-machi, Aza, Chichijima
Ogasawara-mura
Tokyo-to
100-2101
Viewing Points
Japan