| Hachijojima is a Japanese island in the Pacific Ocean, administered by Tokyo and located 300 kilometers south of the Special Wards of Tokyo. Hachijo Town governs the island.
The chief community in the town is Mitsune. Other communities are Nakanogo, Kashitate, and Ohkago. The island's population is 8,867.
Hachijojima, along with the other Izu Islands, is officially part of Tokyo. The islands form part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. During the Edo period, the island was a place of exile for convicts.
Hachijojima is accessible both by plane and by ferry. A pedestrian ferry leaves Tokyo once every day at 10 p.m., and arrives at Hachijo at 9:00 a.m. the following day. As of 2005, the ferry costs about US$140 round trip. Air travel to Hachijojima Airport takes 45 minutes from Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), and a round trip ticket is about US$200.
It is possible to hire cars and bicycles on the island.
Hachijojima is popular with surfers, with three reef breaks and consistently warm water all year round. Due to the fact Hachijojima is a volcanic island there are no sandy beaches apart from a small one next to the main harbour but there are various skin diving/snorkeling points to explore.
Hachijojima's scuba diving points are many and varied. Nazumado is the best known of them, and is considered to be one of the top ten dive points in Japan. Sea turtles are common and underwater lava bridges are typical features for a volcanic island. Hachijojima is also known for its natural onsen, hiking, waterfalls, and natural beauty.
Between the months of May to September seven varieties of bioluminescent mushrooms can be seen. Free tours are organised nightly by the local mushroom association. Bookings required.
Other activities for visitors include visiting the botanical gardens, exploring wartime tunnels, day trips to nearby Kojima island and hiking to the top of Hachijo-fuji, the island's extinct volcano. Kihachijo silk cloth is woven on the island, and one of the workshops in Nakanogo is open to tourists. There is also a free geothermal power museum.
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