Toshima is an obscure vacation spot—even lots of the Japanese folks I instructed I used to be going didn’t know the place it was. This was true even once I shared the kanji (利島) for it.
“I didn’t know there was an island referred to as ‘Toshima’ within the Izu chain,” one admitted, earlier than following up with the plain query. “Why would you go to a spot like that, anyway?”
The fact (which I’m not embarrassed to confess, for the report) is that I went to Toshima island (in winter, no much less) primarily to see its camellia bloom. However much more awaited me there—and never all of it good, I’m afraid—so I do hope you’ll proceed studying.
Why Toshima Will get Neglected So Usually
The journey from Tokyo to Toshima isn’t lengthy, not less than not in the summertime. The quick jetfoil ferry can get you door-to-door in below three hours, which is across the identical period of time it could take to achieve Kyoto or Kanazawa. Sadly, summer time isn’t probably the most compelling time to go to, for my part—I’ll clarify extra about that later. In winter, on all however a couple of days, you must journey a big passenger ship to achieve the island, taking as much as 12 hours one-way.
In fact, a cumbersome journey isn’t the one cause so many vacationers skip Toshima—many don’t even understand it exists. For others, the considered exploring a small island with just a few hundred residents isn’t a compelling sufficient cause to go to, notably in the event that they don’t like camellias or dolphins. Nonetheless others want to go to, however can’t handle to search out lodging.
What to Do in Toshima
See the camellias (in winter)
Toshima was the primary cease of what’s, on the time of writing, my most up-to-date winter journey to Japan. Whereas tsubaki, for elements particular to their botany, are usually not as dramatic or spectacular as sakura and even ume, they definitely added a singular accent to an island that’s in any other case unremarkable in winter.
Or the dolphins (in summer time)
After I journey from Tokyo to Izu islands this summer time, I probably gained’t return to Toshima—that’s most likely extra of a 2027 occasion. Nonetheless, once I do, I’ll get pleasure from some exercise that includes the native dolphins who’re nearly as well-known because the island’s camellia. Whether or not or not I truly swim with them will stay to be seen.
Take a jetfoil (if you happen to can)
One benefit of visiting Toshima in summer time? You may journey by high-speed jetfoil ferry, which takes lower than three hours door-to-door from Takeshiba Pier, close to Tokyo’s Hamamatsucho Station. It’s accessible on choose dates exterior of peak season as effectively, although that is positively not dependable.
Or strive the big passenger ship
In different instances of the yr, you’ll must take a big (and gradual) passenger ship for not less than a part of your journey. Some vacationers will journey the quick ferry to Oshima (it operates all yr) after which the gradual boat from Oshima to Toshima. Others will take the gradual boat the entire manner, however keep in a personal, “deluxe” cabin to melt the blow of the lengthy journey.
Watch out what you eat
Meals poisoning is rare in Japan, however sadly, not in Toshima. There is only one completely open full-service restaurant on the island—and I fell in poor health just some hours after consuming there. My advice can be to buy a meal plan together with your room and, other than consuming there, get packaged meals from a grocery store.
The place to Keep in Toshima
Let me begin this part by reminding you that solely ~300 folks reside on Toshima year-round. The are just a few lodging, most of that are aspect companies for residents whose focus is definitely in another business. On high of this, no lodging on Toshima lists with a web-based journey company, which means it isn’t attainable to get instantaneous affirmation in your reserving. You might want to electronic mail the supplier and see what they are saying.
The unhealthy information? My first selection, Sanwamaru, denied me inside minutes of my reservation request, despite the fact that I emailed them on the day bookings opened. They lied and mentioned they had been “full”; I’m comparatively definitely that they merely don’t permit foreigners to remain. The excellent news? My second selection, Soudaimo, fortunately accommodated me with a snug room and a scrumptious meal—make them your first selection.
Different FAQ About Visiting Japan’s Toshima Island
What’s Toshima Island recognized for?
Toshima island isn’t truly very recognized in any respect. To the extent that it’s, nonetheless, it’s recognized for camellias (tsubaki) in winter and dolphins in summer time. With this being mentioned, you shouldn’t anticipate it to be crowded, even in “peak” season, when its reputation pales compared to the opposite Izu Islands.
The right way to get to Toshima Island?
Toshima island is accessible by way of boat from each Tokyo and Shimoda, although the kind of boat and the way lengthy it takes will rely upon the time of yr you go to. For those who are available in summer time, you possibly can get pleasure from every day service on high-speed jetfoil boats that take lower than three hours one-way. If you must take a bigger passenger boat, nonetheless, you possibly can anticipate a journey time of as much as 12 hours.
Is Toshima Island value visiting?
You may simply make the argument that Toshima island is value visiting when you have a selected cause to go—I went in winter for the tsubaki, and plan to return sooner or later in the summertime to swim with dolphins. Nevertheless, an aimless journey isn’t advisable, on condition that it is a tiny island with lower than 300 inhabitants and few locations to see, keep or eat.
The Backside Line
I’ll be the primary to confess that Toshima island isn’t for everybody. The journey there’s lengthy, particularly within the winter, which for my part is probably the most compelling time to go to. Moreover, it’s an island with nearly no folks and never many sq. kilometers to discover. There is just one precise restaurant—and I obtained meals poisoning there! With this being mentioned, if you happen to can endure the ferry journey from Tokyo, and have not less than a day or two of flex time in your journey, I do suppose Toshima may be value visiting for the proper traveler. That is particularly the case if you happen to enlist my assist to plan your Japan itinerary, which incorporates personalised every day suggestions for actions, meals and lodging, plus detailed transportation recommendation all through.