Izu Oshima Kurihama ferry

Izu Oshima Guide

Izu Oshima Ferry Port

Found off the south-eastern coast of Japan’s Izu peninsula is the small island of Izu-Oshima. This egg-shaped isle, its landscape defined by a black-rocked coastline and steep mountains overgrown with plant-life, is the closest of Tokyo’s border islands and has become a popular getaway retreat for those looking to escape the bustle of city life. The most famous landmark in Izu-Oshima is the Mount Mihara volcano at the heart of the island. The slopes of this towering mountain are permanently scarred by the eruption that rocked the region in 1986, and those brave enough to scale its heights will find that the crater at its peak still smoulders and rumbles with life. The island’s entire population is spread across six seafront villages at the base of the inland mountains. Oshima Town, the largest settlement and capital of the island, is found on the foothills that line the western coast. The white-walled, block-shaped apartment buildings here are synonymous with the Japanese seaside. They climb away from the edge of the Sagami Sea between a neat network of palm-lined streets which, as they approach the outskirts, become narrow roads that twist through the dense sub-tropical woodland. The town is known for its warm weather and the Kobo-hama Beach, a broad stretch of golden sand lined by seafood restaurants and lively bars. The Gojinka Hot Spring spa is another local highlight; its collection of baths and saunas open to weary travellers looking to ease the pain of their aching bones. The port in Oshima Town is located near the centre of town, at a point just south of a rocky waterfront area known locally as Nagane Cape. The ferry terminal here sits at the toe-end of a concrete wharf that juts into the shallows of the sea. This relatively large building, its façade defined by an overhang propped upon concrete pillars, is home to a number of passenger facilities including a ticket office, an indoor waiting hall, toilets and vending machines selling food and drink. Due to the small nature of the island and Izu Oshima’s status as the capital, travelling to and from the port is relatively easy. The 208 highway is the island’s major route. It cuts through the centre of Oshima Town before tracing an unbroken circle along the entire island coast, passing by both the town of Okata in the north and Habuminato in the south. Oshima Airport, offering services to the Japanese mainland, is just a ten-minute drive away too. A vast number of ferry routes currently operate from the port in Izu-Oshima throughout the week. Services hosted by Tokai Kisen sail in all directions to destinations across the Sagami Sea and beyond. Some lines travel north to the towns of Kurihama, Tateyama and the capital city of Tokyo on the Japanese mainland; others west to the Izu Peninsula and the cities of Atami, Ito and Inatori; still more hop south to the neighbouring islands of Toshima, Niijima, Shikinejima and Kozushima.

Kurihama Guide

Kurihama Ferry Port

Situated in the city of Yokosuka in the Kanagawa Prefecture, Kurihama Port is found on the southern coast of Japan. With just a few crossings per week, Kurihama remains one of the most sparingly used ports in the world, though it is used as a gateway to the capital city of Tokyo. Lasting just an hour, the sailing from Kurihama to Tokyo is relatively short, making it one of the easiest and quickest ways to travel. The ferry terminal is quite small, with just one main pier in operation. There are buses taking passengers near the port area, though the district of Kurihama is fairly small, meaning that most places are within walking distance. In the centre of the town, there are a few shops, cafes and restaurants that are perfect for whiling away a few hours, though Kurihama is usually used as just a layover and few visitors stay for longer than a day. The main attraction is possibly the museum that was opened in 1987, creating a slight increase of tourism to the area. The pier is visible from a fair distance, and once there the staff are famously very friendly and happy to help any confused visitors. The crossings are supplied by Tokai Kisen and are generally comfortable and affordable.