Life's a Beach

[Cyka UchuuJin]

Anyone got any island/beach recommendations that are not too far from Tokyo? We'd love to go back to Kohamajima, but it takes too long to go there and we've not got a lot of time for travelling. Been looking into the Iko Islands, but all the websites for hotels look dreadful.

So...suggestions?

[IkemenTommy]

When you say "not too far" as in distance-wise, then you may consider Izu islands. There are some minshuku type hotels but you'll probably have to call them to make reservations. Some minshukus might have online reservations but I doubt the most do so you're probably going to have to call them anyway on the phone in Japanese to book your stay.

I've been to Niijima a few times -- with the last trip there this past Golden Week in May-- but most of the time we just stay at the free campgrounds there. Camping with the mosquitoes is probably not what you had in mind, but there is that option as well. Just beware of the Brazilians from Shizuoka who camp out there all the time. They are savages...

If you are expecting the white sands of Hawaii or Okinawa, then it might not meet your expectations but there still are beaches out there. Niijima has one of the best surf breaks in all of Japan and they constantly have surfers coming in to catch the waves. Believe it or not, the Izu islands are part of Tokyo and the cars there have Shinagawa license plates.

Some islands offer flights to and from Haneda. It could become a problem if you have to carry a lot of belongings with you and then a boat ride becomes your means. It takes overnight to get there on the slow Tokai-kisen ferry boat leaving daily from near JR Hamamatsu-cho station. They offer the "fast" jet boat option that would get you there in 3 or 4 hours. If you put that in perspective, you can end up in Okinawa or Ishigaki with the same amount of time.


This was from that TV show with the solar car aired a few weeks ago.
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[Cyka UchuuJin]

thanks tommy! apparently my brain hasn't arrived in japan yet. i actually meant the izu islands, not iko. been looking into them since they are the easiest to get to from here, but to be honest, i think we might end up hopping one of the late afternoon flights to okinawa, we really did love it there.

always open to suggestions though.