The Unique Wildlife And Food Culture Of Chichijima Island, Ogasawara

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Being over 1,000 km away from Tokyo, Chichijima Island has developed its own unique food culture and wildlife. Discover the island through shrines and historical spots that make this island special.

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。

An island 1,000 km away from Tokyo, Chichijima Island, the entrance to the Ogasawara Archipelago, can only be reached by ferry.

The closest inhabited island is over 600 km away. This island was the main hub where European and American whaling ships stopped during the early 19th century. People did not live on this island until it became an important military base for Japan during World War II. After the war, the islands were under American rule until 1968 when they were returned to Japan.

Thanks to its rich history, natural environment, and the efforts of the people on the island, Chichijima developed a slightly different culture compared to the main island of Japan. This marine island that has never connected with other parts of land developed a distinctive ecology and lately, many people are working to protect the island's ecosystem.

This time, we would like to introduce the unique culture and places where visitors can learn the history of the island.

Natural World Heritage with Many Lifeforms

World Heritage Site Chichijima Island's Unique Culture and Wildlife

The Ogasawara archipelago formed after a volcanic eruption underwater and never connected with other forms of land. Therefore, the island developed its own ecosystems and many forms of plants and wildlife live throughout the area. It is because of these multiple rare creatures that the islands are referred to as the ”Galapagos of the East”.

And, thanks to these abundant lifeforms, the Ogasawara archipelago has become a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site.

Columba janthina nitens

Creatures such as the Japanese wood pigeon (Columba janthina nitens) and the land snail, Katamaimai, are endemic species that are considered to be very rare and endangered. If you are lucky, perhaps you may encounter one while adventuring about the island.

The Pandanus boninensis is also an endemic species of the Ogasawara islands, but you will be able to find these quite easily throughout the island.

Shanti Bungalows offers tours that take you around the jungle where many plants and wildlife of the island can be seen. You can get more information from their English website. There are half-day tours that start from only 5000 yen.

Gifts from Mother Nature in the Subtropical Climate

Ogasawara archipelago is generally warm throughout the year, so many tropical plants and agricultural products can be found here.

At the Ogasawara Subtropical Agricultural Center, you will be able to learn about the endemic and tropical plants for free. There is a greenhouse with various fruit trees that are also fun to look at as well.

Ogasawara Branch Subtropical Agricultural Center

Komagari 2 Chichijima, Ogasawara-mura, Tokyo 100-2101

Shanti Bungalow

The fruit grown on the island can be purchased in any JA Agricultural Tourism Outlets. Along with freshly harvested bananas throughout the year, you can find delicious seasonal fruit such as lemons, buntan oranges, and other citrus fruits.

Tokyo Island Agricultural Cooperative Agricultural Products Touri...

Higashimachi, Chichijima, Ogasawara-mura, Tokyo 100-2101

Heart Rock Village

Passion fruit is a specialty of Ogasawara and liquors made with the island rum are popular as souvenirs. At restaurants on the island, you can enjoy cocktails made from passion fruit and rum as well.

Repeat visitors to the island highly recommend the mini tomatoes grown there. Lines of customers hoping to get their hands on this vegetable form early at the outlet on the days it is sold. The sweet flavor is so rich, it can be eaten like a fruit.

Abundant Seafood and Great Fishing Grounds

Surrounded by the beautiful seas, Chichijima island is a great place to savor fresh seafood.

A specialty dish called the shima-zushi is a sushi made using fish such as the Japanese mackerel and others caught in the nearby sea and dipped in a soy sauce based sauce. It is a simple dish but rich in flavor. You can find this sushi in Japanese restaurants, sushi shops or izakaya bars, but you can also find it in bento shops as well.

Another unique traditional dish of Ogasawara is a dish made of sea turtles. The meat of a sea turtle is like a cross between a fish and land meat, and does not have any particular odor to it. It has been part of Ogasawara's food culture for many years; sea turtle dishes were made when food was scarce on the island. Currently, to protect the species, there is a limit to capturing 135 turtles per year.

Feel the Heavens Above with a Sky Full of Stars

On Chichijima Island, you will find a national astronomical observation center along with JAXA - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's facility (*1). Many places related to astronomy gather on this very island.

There is a massive 20 m radius antenna on the facility grounds of the national astronomical observation center. At night, you can see a dynamic view of the antenna lit up.

*1 Please note that you may not enter the JAXA grounds.

National Astronomical Observatory of Japan VERA Ogasawara Observa...

〒100-2101 Chichijima, Ogasawara-mura, Tokyo Aza Yoakeyama

Shanti Bungalow

At night, you will see a sky full of stars above the island thanks to its relative lack of light pollution. This distant island is perfect to see a field of stars. The view of the Milky Way without a telescope is a must-see during your stay on the island.

Historical Relics on Ogasawara Archipelago

The Ogasawara archipelago was first discovered by a Japanese explorer, Sadayori Ogasawara, in the 16th century. The islands were then named after him.

The Ougiura area in the center of the island has a Uninhabited Island Discovery Memorial. Next to it, you will find the Ogasawara shrine dedicated to Sadayori Ogasawara.

Ogasawara Shrine

1115 Toyotsu, Miyako-cho, Miyako-gun, Fukuoka 824-0121

After the discovery of Ogasawara archipelago, people who provided material for American and European whaling ships began to live there.

In addition to that, the island became a military base for Japan during World War II. You will find the scars of the war throughout the island.

Around the Ogasawara Shrine grounds, you will find remains of the military base Tochika. At the Hatsuneura observatory, an abandoned weapon storage still remains and you can find many traces of bullets fired inside.

The marks left on Chichijima island reveal the tale of World War II and is now a place where people pray for peace.

In Conclusion

With plenty of endemic plant and wildlife, cuisine created by local ingredients provided by the warm climate, and a history of whaling and war, Ogasawara evolved differently from the main Honshu island and continues t visitors. When visiting Ogasawara, why not immerse yourself in the history of the area as you enjoy touring the natural environment?