OshimaTHE BLACK
DESERT ISLAND

Oshima, the largest of the Izu Islands, offers a striking contrast to the city’s urban skyline. Located about 120 kilometers south of the city center, it’s easily reached by plane from Chofu Airport or by ferry from Tokyo’s Takeshiba Terminal.

At the heart of the island rises Mt. Mihara, a 758-meter active volcano, whose hikeable summit offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and, on clear days, even distant Tokyo. Nearby lies Urasabaku, known as Japan’s “black desert”—the country’s only desert of its kind, making its unique volcanic landscape exceptionally rare. Oshima’s layered cliffs and black-sand beaches shaped by ancient eruptions further add to the island’s otherworldly allure.

When in Oshima, visitors can explore the black desert by buggy, hike through lush natural trails, dive into crystal-clear waters, or simply slow down and savor the island’s peaceful rhythm.