Located in the Pacific Ocean 287 kilometers south of Tokyo, Hachijojima is the southernmost island of the Izu Islands. The island has a population of about 7,300.
An airport
and village sit in the valley between two volcanoes, Mount Hachijofuji and Mount Mihara. The island's forests and surrounding ocean offer many delightful spots. The bloom of
scarlet-colored aloe in February followed in March by the bloom of colorful freesia, magnificent Oshima cherry, and other plants reflect the vitality of the island's warm spring.
Here,
the island's soft sunlight and gentle ocean breeze in spring will stir your soul.
Think of a spring flavor on Hachijojima and the island's spring flying fish comes to mind. During the breeding season the world's largest Japanese flying fish come to the waters
around the Izu Islands, and are also caught in the waters off Hachijojima. Sashimi and minced are among the ways that the fresh catch is served on the island. Plump and with a simple
flavor, flying fish is popular among the young and old, men and women alike. Once you experience the sweet flavor of this seasonal dish you'll want to eat it every day during your
stay.
Flying fish fermented and dried is a signature dish on Hachijojima. If it is your first time to try dried fish, this simple-tasting and easy-to-eat delicacy is
highly recommended.
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Jizakana Himono Shokudo at Aigaesuisan
Address:2333 Okago, Hachijo-cho, Tokyo
Hours: 11:30～14:00/17:00～21:00
Closed: Sundays
A healthy drink is just the thing when you're thirsty after a dip in an onsen! Therapy Café Yuko's health-conscious menu includes herb teas made using extracts from the island's
medicinal herbs, sodas made with lots of Hachijo lemons, and its own original “ashitaba smoothie”.
An aroma and yoga therapist, owner Yukiko Tamai developed a beauty and
health conscious smoothie. The ashitaba smoothie is served throughout March, while an island strawberry smoothie is served from April. Drink a smoothie made from fresh local
ingredients and thoroughly re-energize your onsen-fatigued mind and body.
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Therapy Café Yuko
Address:1115 Okago, Hachijo-cho, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00～16:00
Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays (Wed only during March through Oct)
Hachijojima in springtime is probably best known for its annual Freesia Festival. At the end of March, the bloom of 350,000 freesias planted on Mount Hakkei next to the airport cover
the island in brilliant color.
The 2020 Freesia Festival will be from March 20 (Fr) through April 5 (Su). The freesia field on Mount Hakkei is the main event site.
Besides picking their own freesia flowers, festivalgoers can take part in a variety of fun activities such as wearing traditional kihachijo kimono and eating ashitaba yatsuhashi
Japanese sweets at an outdoor stand. We hope you will experience and enjoy some of the culture of Hachijojima introduced in this article. Posing for a picture in the brilliantly
colored freesia field with its view of Mount Hachijofuji is a great way to create a lovely photo memento of your trip. What's more, the flower field filled with the aroma of sweet
flowers stir all the senses.
If you decide to travel to Hachijojima where spring comes a bit earlier, it is a 50 minute flight from Tokyo. And there are no traffic jams
along the way. Why not spend a spring weekend relaxing and taking it easy on Hachijojima?
Planning and editing: Co-Trip Editorial Department
Reporting and text: Mori-Kotori
Photos: tsukao
Note: Information is current as of January, 2020.
