Sightseeing on Chichijima Island
Music and dance in southern land such as KAKA, Nanyo-odori dance, Ogasawara-daiko (drum) and Steel Pan
Nanyo-odori dance is a graceful dance which plays drum made by cutting Tamana tree with stick of Lead tree combining with sound of KAKA, putting grass skirt with flower hair ornaments. Before the war, those who went out to the Micronesia region such as Saipan and Guam brought back, and today, it is designated as the intangible cultural heritage of Tokyo. Moreover, Ogawsawara is full of tropical music and dance such as Ogasawara-daiko (drum) diffused from Hachijojima Island immigrants, ancestral folk song to Ogasawara, Hula danced with original songs and Steelpan which is a percussion instrument made from drum can.
January 1 – Japan’s earliest “Umibiraki (beach opening)”
The year-end and new year of Ogasawara starts from the countdown party on December 31, and on January 1, Umibiraki is held the earliest in Japan. The party begin around 11pm, looking back over the past year of Ogasawara, fireworks are set off with a countdown at midnight and a new year will come. The earliest Umibiraki in Japan take place not only praying for safety of the sea by the Shinto ritual, but also Mochimaki (rice cake throwing), sea turtle release, performance of local performing art, etc. “First swimming certificate” is issued to those who entered the sea.
l June – Return festival
In celebration of the return of Ogasawara Islands to Japan on June 26, 1968, Return festival is held on weekend around the memorial day. In Chichijima Island, starting from children’s act, the villagers perform many programs such as Nanyo-odori dance, dance, Ogasawara Hula, Ogasawara-daiko (drum), Steel Pan, etc. At the side of the stage, PR of indigenous products such as passion fruits and rum is taking place and night shop is opened.
(C)Ogasawara Village Office
From August to September – Summer Festival
A summer festival where events are held weekly for about one month in summer. Starting from sea turtle release in Omura Beach, both local people and tourists enjoy summer by wide variety programs such as Nanyo-odori dance & KAKA, Bon Odori Dance, music event, Hula celebration, open-air cinema, beach volleyball match, starry sky observation, etc. At the fireworks show in Bon holidays, fireworks are set off from Aotodai lighthouse with the sea in the background so that you can relax and enjoy from up close.
November – Ogasawara-jinjya Shrine Festival
Ogasawara-jinja Shrine stands on the hill where you can overlook the Omura area which is a center part of Chichijima Island. The festival is held from November 1st to 3 rd every year. The powerful sumo game takes place in children’s Honozumo (ritual sumo matches held at a shrine) on the first day and Adult’s Honozumo on the second day. In adult sumo, member of Self-Defense Forces of Hahajima Island and Iwo Island also participate and Yokozuna (grand champion) of that year is determined. On the daytime of last day, Mikoshi (portable shrine) walks around the town and stops at guest houses and shops. Everyone can carry it so that everyone carries it and warm up the festival. In the evening, the festival will finish up with votive entertainment.
Minamijima Island
Minamijima Island located in southwest off of Chichijima Island has a special landscape peculiar to limestone called “Submerged Karst”. A low-lying depression called “Doline” and a sharp pointed rock called “Lapies” are found and semifossil of Mandarina luhuana is remained. It is a small uninhabited island designated as a national natural monument. Not only beautiful scenery can be seen, but also it is a breeding place of sea birds and sea turtles. Moreover, the ecosystem is recovering as the goats that once lived disappeared, and vegetation recovery projects and rat control have been developed. In this land, proper use of ecotourism is being done according to the usage rule.
Higashidaira Sanctuary
Located in the central part of Chichijima Island, Higashidaira Sanctuary is the place of top priority to conserve the habitat of Akagashikarasubato (Columba janthina nitens). At the same time, proper use is also being promoted and you can walk the nature observation route divided into 3 areas if guide with permission accompanies you. However, you need to accompany a guide who took a special course when going into a forest trail of buffer zone. The major habitat area which is a core zone is off-limits area. Additionally, since the composition of vegetation varies from high forest to scrub forest, you can also see many unique rare plants such as Asahiebine (Calanthe hattorii) and Muninnobotan (Melastoma tetramerum), etc.
Chihiroiwa (Heart Rock)
Chihiroiwa is a sheer cliff of more than 200m above sea level facing Maruberi Bay located in southern part of Chichijima Island. When looking at the rock from the ship on sea tour, red rock surface looks like a heart shape so that it is commonly known as “Heart Rock”. In case of land route, you can aim at wonderful view directly above the Heart Rock while doing nature observation such as unique plants and watching battle site such as automobile and radar receiving equipment, and large banyan tree. Please note that this route requires a guide with permission to accompany you.
Anijima Marine Park
Anijima Marine Park is located on the north side of Chichijima Island and cabbage beach, facing Anijima Seto near Mansaku Beach in the southern part of Anijima Island. The park is designated as a marine park area in 2009 because of wonderful undersea landscape. The transparency is high, the coral community grows and various tropical fish swarm. You can visit by sea tour and you can enjoy snorkeling and diving.
Featuring coast (Chichijima Island)
Ohama Beach which spreads in front of Omura area of Chichijima Island is called “Maehama Beach” and there are lots of families enjoying swimming. In Sakaiura, located in the east part of Futami Bay, there is a wreck of Hinkomaru stranded during wartime in the offshore, which became a snorkeling point nowadays. Miyanohama Beach and Tsurihama Beach located in the northern part of the island has corals on the beach so that there is plenty of fish and perfect for snorkeling. When you go through a coastal forest, white sand beach and blue ocean is extended in Kominato Beach located in the western part of the island. You can also see pillow lava at the back of the right-hand side of the beach.
http://www.soumu.metro.tokyo.jp/07ogasawara/nature/chichijima.html（外部サイト）
http://www.kanko-ogasawara.com/article/199316249.html（外部サイト）
Fishery
Ogasawara has the widest fishery zone in Japan. It is a fishing ground for fishermen of the island to far Iwo Island and around Okinotorishima Island. In past days, pole-and-line fishery of demersal fish such as Hamadai (commonly known as queen snapper) and Akahata (commonly known as Banded reef-cod) was popular. However, presently, by introducing deep sea vertical longline fishery, many migratory fish such as swordfish and tuna are caught. Besides, there are Japanese Spanish mackerel, Japanese spiny lobster, squids, green turtle, etc. By developing maintenance of ice making and cold storage facilities and improving transportation technology, many delicious Ogasawara fishery products have been shipped to mainland.
http://www.soumu.metro.tokyo.jp/07ogasawara/farmfish/marine.html（外部サイト）
Processed products
In Ogasawara, various processed products such as candy, jam, juice and seasonings, etc. made from produced fruits taking advantage of subtropical climate are popular as souvenirs. Besides, there are also “Shimashio (Island salt)” made from Ogasawara seawater, coffee with the history of first cultivation in Japan and honey collected from honeydew of tropical island flowers. In fishery processed products, there are many fans of smoked tuna and octopus, Japanese Spanish mackerel dried with mirin, etc.
Folk art
The typical folk art is made from leaves of screw pine such as accessory pouch, pen cases, fabric like bags called “Takonohazaiku (workmanship made from screw pine leaves)” which is Ogasawara’s unique tree as well as “Tree of Village”. Additionally, accessories made from native tree such as Terihaboku (commonly known as Tamana) and wood work like chopsticks made from nonnative tree such as Akagi (bishop wood) are also produced. Besides, there are also accessories made from green turtleback, fabric products dyed with red soil and glassware recycled from waste bottles.
Shimazushi
When you come to Ogasawara, you should try Shimazushi. Izu Islands such as Hachijojima Island is said to be the roots. Unlike ordinary sushi, shari (rice with vinegar) is sweeter and it use mustard instead of wasabi. Sushi item is pickled island fish like Japanese spanish mackerel. When you eat for the first time, you will be surprised by the sweetness than the ordinary sushi, but you will have a good appetite together with the refreshing taste.
Sea turtle cooking
In Ogasawara, food culture to eat green turtle is continued today. While working with hatching aquaculture, annually, certain number of turtles is captured as edible use. The turtle sashimi uses lean part without muscles and has no smell with refreshing taste. It is common to eat with ginger soy sauce. Besides, not only as sashimi but also as sushi is recommended. Stewed turtle is different in Chichijima Island and Hahajima Island. In Chichijima Island, it is a traditional dish which is seasoned only with Ogasawara salt and stew for a long time. It has a unique taste, but it is an addictive taste.
(C)Ogasawara Village Office
Fried Shark Burger
One of the more unusual foods made with local fish is the fried shark burger. Instead of a meat patty, fried local shark is sandwiched in a hamburger bun. Contrary to the image it might bring to mind, shark meat has a very nice, light taste that is a perfect choice for a fish burger. Fried shark burgers are a delicious and popular choice.
(C)Ogasawara Village Office
Pimaka and Danpuren
Pimaka and danpuren are popular parts of Ogasawara's traditional regional cuisine, which many people make and eat at home. Pimaka is made from a fish called Kyphosus vaigiensis which is called sasayo on Chichijima. The fish is marinated in vinegar and orange juice, along with daikon cut into strips. It is said that pimaka was brought to the islands from Hawaii. Danpuren is a variation on Western-style dumplings. This dish is said to have been brought to Ogasawara by Americans who settled here in the 19th century. It consists of chicken soup cooked in a pot with vegetables, such as cabbage, napa cabbage, potatoes, and onions, as well as balls of flour kneaded with water.
(C)Ogasawara youth Hostel
(C)OGASAWARA ECO-TOURISM SUPPORT
Ecotourism
Ogasawara Islands attract attention such as having unique and rich nature called Oriental Galapagos and being registered as fourth world natural heritage in Japan in 2011. To enjoy rich nature of ecosystem as it is safely and securely, ecotourism is implemented such as Minamijima Island, Sekimon, country code, designate route of Forest Ecosystem Protection Area by defining voluntary rules aiming sustainable use of natural resources cooperating among local communities, islanders, country, prefecture and village since before registered to world heritage.
https://www.vill.ogasawara.tokyo.jp/ecotourism_index/（外部サイト）
Marine recreation
At dark blue sea of Ogasawara called bonin blue, there are abundant marine recreation such as whale and dolphin watching, diving, snorkeling, fishing and sea kayaking and so on. The best season of humpback whale watching is from February to April and you can see humpback whale families swimming together from winter to spring. As for dolphin watching, you can enjoy watching wild dolphin throughout the year. If condition is good, you can also see dreamy dolphin swimming. In diving and snorkeling, you can see coral and tropical fish in the sea featuring high transparency.
Mountain recreation
Ogasawara Islands are ocean islands that have never been connected to the continent since birth. The animals and plants carried by ocean currents, winds, birds, etc. have established and by repeating adaptive radiation in diverse island environments, it is continuing to evolve uniquely. In addition, evidence of pioneer’s lives started from beginning of Meiji period and battle site during the Pacific War are remained in various area of the islands. Let’s observe the unique animals and plants that live only in Ogasawara in the world and try to explore the history and culture by walking the forest with the guide and enjoy hiking, trekking, observing living nature and explore history and culture.
Nighttime Activities
The nighttime sky on the Ogasawara Islands is fascinating. You can see fantastic sunsets and starry skies, as well as bats called bonin flying foxes and luminescent mushrooms called green pepe. Be sure to stay quiet, so you can observe the animals and plants that are active in the darkness. Many surprises and discoveries await you here that cannot be found in an urban environment. Nighttime activities such as stargazing will add one more enjoyable aspect to your trip.
(C)Ogasawara Village Office
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Related links
Chichijima Island
- Features of Chichijima Island
- History of Chichijima Island
- Wildlife of Chichijima Island
- Sightseeing on Chichijima Island
- Accessing Chichijima Island