Six Great Aerial Vantage Points From Atop Chichijima Island

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1000 from Tokyo, Chichijima is designated as a natural World Heritage site. Check out our guide to seeing the island's beautiful nature vistas from up high.

Written by

Maki

新潟生まれ。事業会社でのマーケティングを経験後、2011年からシンガポールへ移住し、出版社や制作会社で編集に従事。2015年に日本へ帰国しMATCHAのライターに。国内外を旅行する中で見つけた新しい発見を、多くの人とシェアしていきたいです。

Chichijima is an isolated island in the Ogasawara archipelago, located roughly a thousand kilometers south of Tokyo. Via ferry from the big city, it takes a full day to arrive at Chichijima. With mountainous topography formed by volcanic activity on the ocean floor, the scenery you can see from high ground will take your breath away. This time, we’ll introduce you to six spots on the island where you can get wonderful views of the mountains and valleys, as well as the rising and setting sun.

Where to Watch the Sun Sink Below the Horizon

1. Weather Station Platform

Six Great Aerial Vantage Points From Atop Chichijima Island

The weather station platform on Mt. Mikazuki, in the northwestern part of Chichijima, is a famous spot to see the sunset. From winter to spring, you may even see humpback whales frolicking in the waters around the island.

If the weather is just right, you can see the burning red sun as it slips beneath the horizon.

Weather Station Lookout

Chichijima, Ogasawara-mura, Tokyo 100-2101

Heart Rock Village

Where to Look Down on Sunken Ships

2. Sakaiura Beach Bus Stop

Take a village bus to the Sakaiura Beach bus stop. You will notice a walking trail where you can see across the ocean.

During low tide at Sakaiura, the body of the sunken ship Hinkomaru comes into view, resting beneath the waves. You can get a great look from above.

Sakaiura Coast

〒100-2101 Chichijima Sakaiura, Ogasawara-mura, Tokyo

Heart Rock Village

Where to Get a Sweeping View of the Island While Trekking

3. Nakayama Mountain Pass

The walking trail to the Nakayama pass is at Kominato Beach, the last stop on the village bus route.

This trail has a lot of flora and fauna that are unique to the island, so make sure to thoroughly clean the mud from your shoes using the mat before you set off.

Wild goats that disturb the ecosystem also inhabit the area. Please carefully close the gate behind you as you start up the path.

Head up the very walkable trail for about 20 minutes and you will arrive at the Nakayama mountain pass.

From the pass you can get a sweeping view of the island, from the sandy shores of Kominato Beach to the north and the coral reefs of Kopepe Beach, all down the way to Port Futami, where the ship Ogasawaramaru sets sail.

Look to the south and you can see valleys overgrown with thick forests, as well as the natural monument Minamijima. Chichijima’s abundant and expressive displays of nature will spread out in front of your eyes.

Nakayama Pass Lookout

Chichijima, Ogasawara-mura, Tokyo 100-2101

Shanti Bungalow

4. Mt. Chuo

Mt. Chuo, located in almost the exact center of Chichijima, is 20 minutes from town. Climb up the mountain trail from the parking lot to find an observation deck. From there, you can get an uninterrupted view of Chichijima’s scenery.

A radar dish pedestal used in the War in the Pacific still remains at the summit.

Chuozan Observatory

Where to Get Good Views on a Drive

Observation decks are scattered here and there on the roadways that run through the mountainous area between central and eastern Chichijima.

5. Nagasaki Observation Deck

From the Nagasaki Observation Deck, 10 minutes from town by car, you can get a great look at Anijima to the north. Anijima has cliffs made of cooled lava, traces of its past history as a submarine volcano.

Nagasaki Observatory

Chichijima, Ogasawara-mura, Tokyo 100-2101

Heart Rock Village

6. Hatsuneura Observation Deck

The Hatsuneura Observation Deck is 10 minutes by car from the Nagasaki deck, further into the mountains. Military installations from the War in the Pacific are still standing here, and the sight of those facilities is a bit unnerving.

However, look down between the cliffs and the gorgeous ocean will spread out before you. You will find yourself moved by that ocean blue, and although it’s quite difficult to access, you’ll want to visit Hatsuneura’s shores below.

There are wild goats living at the cliffs, but they are targets of an extermination campaign due to forest decline and their impact on native species. Avoid feeding them at all costs.

Hatsuneura Observatory

Chichijima, Ogasawara-mura, Tokyo 100-2101

To Experience the Rich Nature of the Mountains

When going trekking in the mountains, aim to have broken-in sneakers and comfortable clothes that are easy to move in. Also make sure to carry drinks for hydration, and please take your trash home with you.

It is very dangerous to wander into areas off of roadways and marked trails, so this is prohibited. You can also encounter rare native species on the mountain paths. While you can look for as long as you like, please refrain from collecting or touching them, in order to preserve the balance of the ecosystem.

In Closing

What did you think about the scenery at Chichijima? In addition to the beautiful ocean, there are unique geographical features created by volcanic activity, mountains and valleys rife with green, and all sorts of wonderful sights that you can get a panoramic view of from up above. You can see different faces of the island depending on the time and the season, so visit Chichijima and discover your favorite view for yourself.