Mihara vulcano on Izu Oshima island

Izu Oshima is volcanic island 120 km South of Tokyo. It lies close to Izu peninsula and on clear day can be seen from Izu peninsula and sometimes from Shonan beach as well. It belongs to Tokyo actually, so I put it under Tokyo in blog.

In first video, I am going by hydrofoil. This hydrofoil is like an airplane, it even had airplane style safety card and individual life jackets. Passengers had to use seatbelts all the time, because in case hydrofoil hits large object like whale, it could send passengers flying in the cabin. Hydrofoil was twitched by waves somehow differently than boat. When it stopped in port, its nose dived down a little bit.

Mihara Oshima I
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Video: Going to Izu Oshima by hydrofoil

After arrival took bus to Mihara volcano directly from port. Mountain is not high - it is just under 800m. Last erruption here was 20 years ago, but small one. Today it is very silent. Below top, traces of lava flow can be seen as small canyons. Next to vulcano is wast field with long grass which looks like savanna. Savanna gradually turns into forest with small trees. In this forest I actually got lost a little, but its just part of travel - to be lost sometimes.


Video: Some scenes around vulcano


Image: Small tori gate on vulcano top. One vulcano side has concrete access trail


Image: Looking into crater


Image: Look on vast lava field


Image: Savanna type field continues up to horizon

I did not see any supermarkets or 24h kiosks (konbini) on island. Maybe they were on other side of island. I had some food which I bought before coming to island. When traveling to remote islands, some light, but high calories food, is essential.

Access:
Tokaikisen ferry links to Izu Oshima. They have hydrofoil and night ferry. Night ferry takes one night to reach Izu Oshima, while hydrofoil makes it in one hour. Here is town homepage information about tourst attractions.

Mitake forest and shrine

Rainy day hike around mountain called Mitake. Close to Tokyo and easy access with cable car, makes this place ideal destination on rainy day. On top (929 m) is famous Musashi Mitake Jinja shrine. In video, main shrine building is seen in red color and I was there when it was right in the clouds. In the yard are smaller shrines, which are devoted to specific topic, like for traffic safety, safety at home, for success in education and knowledge etc. See them in 360 degrees turn scene in shirne yard.

Further on hiked around nearby forest, where two waterfalls can be seen. Trail was muddy, forest was foggy, but the views were wonderful.

Mitake
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Video: Musashi Mitake Shrine and waterfalls in nearby forest


Image: Look on Musashi Mitake shrine


Image: Mythical dog guarding shrine entrance


Image: Low clouds made panorama views beautiful


Image: Forest is mysterious in the fog


Image: This rock looks a little bit like gorilla's head (friendly)

This place is located nearby Okutama valley. Here my previous post about trip to Okutama valley.

Access:
Train from Shinjuku to Tachikawa, then to Ome, change again for direction to Okutama. Closest station is Mitake. After getting out of station, bus stop is on the left and near big road (2-3 min walk). Bus goes to cable car station.

FYI:
In this area one hotspring is moegi no jou. It is near Okutama station - last stop of Okutama train line.

This place on the map. You can move around by draging mouse.

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Trip to Okutama valley

Okutama
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Okutama valley is located not far from Tokyo, but forests and mountains makes this place special. Wilderness of nature - there are fast mountain rivers, high cliffs, thick forest etc. Good place for day hike near Tokyo.


Scene from movie: History and nature in Okutama valley


Image: River is down below in canyon. Evening sunshine could not reach it.

This place on Google map:

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Access:
I started from Kori station, which can be reached from Shinjuku station in Tokyo first to Tachikawa, then to Ome and getting off at Kori. About 1h and 40 min to travel.