2 Courses for Exploring Miyakejima’s Charming Natural Wonders

Tokyo Takeshiba Terminal

Travel to the island by a large ferry.

Sabigahama Port

Arrive at Miyakejima early in the morning and get ready for an exciting journey ahead.

Course 1: Touring Miyakejima’s Rugged Landscape

Ako Fishing Port Waiting Area

Ako Fishing Port (Sabigahama Port) is one of three main ports on Miyakejima. Its waiting area houses the Miyakejima Tourist Association, which offers a variety of sightseeing services, including electric bicycle rentals. Most visitors explore the island by car, and one of the first sights near the port is the lava flow trail along the Imasaki Coast—an awe-inspiring scene where hardened lava meets the ocean.

Izu-Misaki Lighthouse

Izu-misaki is one of Miyakejima’s most scenic geo-spots, where exposed strata reveal 10,000 years of volcanic history. Along the upper side of the road, you can see layers over 2,500 years old, including volcanic ash from Niijima’s 886 CE eruption. Far across the ocean lies Niijima itself, a distant yet powerful reminder of nature’s immense force.

Shiitori Shrine

This shrine has become a symbol of Miyakejima’s recovery. White, lifeless trees jutting from a lush green forest, with a towering mountain behind, create a strikingly unusual scene. Islanders often gaze at the thriving greenery in awe of the island’s regeneration. Once a vibrant forest, this area was devastated in 2000 by volcanic gases from a major eruption. Two decades later, the fresh yet resilient vitality of the new growth emerging beneath the skeletal remains is a powerful testament to nature’s renewal.

Nippana Shinzan

Nippana Shinzan is a dramatic cliff that rose overnight after a seabed explosion triggered by the 1983 Miyakejima eruption. Shaped into a sweeping semicircle by relentless wave erosion, its exposed strata reveal valuable clues about the mechanisms of volcanic eruptions. The vast black expanse formed by scoria creates an otherworldly landscape—one that feels almost like stepping onto a different planet.

Toga Beach

The road to Toga Beach is free of utility poles, guardrails, and other man-made structures, winding gently along the shoreline toward a plateau. Here, untouched nature stretches between ocean and mountains, and offers a simple yet majestic scenery. At the road’s end lies Toga Beach. Looking back along the promenade to the coast, you’ll see cliffs where the ocean has carved through the rock, revealing striking layers of exposed strata.

Course 2: Visit Miyakejima’s Volcanic Heart and Soul

Ako Fishing Port Waiting Area

Ako Lava Flow Trail

This is the lava flow from 1983, the most recent on the island, and one of the few places in Japan where you can walk directly on it. The sheer force of the flow—seemingly poised to engulf the nearby elementary school—is awe-inspiring. As you explore, the rough, barren surface reveals the first signs of vegetation. Even in this harsh landscape, pockets of greenery offer a striking reminder of life’s resilience.

Shichito Observatory

In the windy coastal areas, nutrients don’t accumulate on the lava flow, making it hard for plants to take root. Higher up the mountainside, the salty sea air weakens and water becomes more plentiful, creating better conditions for growth. This contrast shows how vegetation develops at different speeds even on the same lava flow. Near the Shichito Observatory, a field of pampas grass glows golden—especially beautiful on autumn afternoons in soft sunlight. On the way back, take the Tsubota Forest Road to experience the gradual shift in plant life as you descend.

Tairo Lake Observatory

From the viewing platform above Tairo Lake, you can take in sweeping views of the virgin forest and the lake’s vivid green waters, set against the reddish-brown mountainside. Breathe deeply, let the fresh air fill your lungs, and feel renewed by the Earth’s energy. As you descend, the landscape transforms into a dense, humid forest—a striking contrast to the barren slopes above, and one of Miyakejima’s true highlights.

Tairo Pond

Tairo Pond, a crater lake born from a phreatic explosion 2,500 years ago, has evolved from a barren landscape into a thriving climax forest. A 2-kilometer promenade circles the water, where you can enjoy bird calls echoing through the trees and the calming sounds of nature. It’s the perfect place to unwind, immerse yourself in the forest, and forget the passage of time.

Support / Contact

Miyakejima Tourist Association

Tel: 04994-5-1144
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
www.miyakejima.gr.jp

“Leave it to Me” Expert Nature Guide

Let a private guide show you the perfect seasonal sites or come up with a plan according to your requests. Experience the wonders of Miyakejima at your own pace as you travel to places recommended by a local guide perfect for the time you’re traveling. Note: The Tokyo islands are a small remote community, and very few residents speak any language other than Japanese. For a smooth experience, we recommend that you travel with somebody who is able to communicate in Japanese.