PRIVATE / customized
  • Enjoy Ogasawara - BONIN ISLANDS
  • Tokyo(Ogasawara Islands) , Japan
  • Experience the unique fauna and flora, stunning nature of Ogasawara islands

Tour Concept

    This tour is ideal for active travelers who love ocean activities such as kayaking and snorkeling, as well as encounters with marine wildlife. It’s especially recommended for those looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the sea and who dream of the rare and unforgettable experience of swimming with wild dolphins. Access to the Ogasawara Islands is only available via a 24-hour ferry ride from Tokyo, making it a hidden gem that remains largely untouched—even among Japanese travelers. Nature lovers in search of less-crowded destinations and a relaxed stay on a remote island will also find it highly appealing.

Highlights

Enjoy the Bonin Blue of the Ogasawara

Even if you’ve never tried snorkeling before, there are safe and inviting spots where you can dive in with confidence. You may even have the chance to swim with dolphins—an unforgettable experience, if conditions allow. Ogasawara boasts one of the world’s richest ecosystems and clearest waters. If you’ve made the journey all the way to this remote paradise, it would be a shame not to explore its enchanting underwater realm. While swimming with dolphins requires moderate swimming skills, snorkeling among coral reefs can be enjoyed even by beginners. The bay’s shallow depth and gentle waves offer a safe and calm environment perfect for first-timers. Beneath the surface, vibrant coral reefs and a dazzling array of tropical fish await—many using the coral as a natural hideout. This incredible marine world is ready to welcome you. Snorkeling gear and wetsuits are available for rent, so all you need to bring is your sense of adventure.

Winter - Humpback Whale Season

One of the highlights of visiting the Ogasawara Islands in winter is the chance to witness Humpback whales. During summer, these majestic creatures feed in the rich waters near the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands. When winter arrives, they return to Ogasawara to breed, spending several months in the warm Pacific seas. You may spot mother and calf pairs gently floating in the water, while nearby, males race frantically in their dramatic “heat run.” If you're lucky, you might even witness a baby whale breaching—an unforgettable sight! The best time for whale watching is February and March, when activity is at its peak.

Land on Minamijima Island, the most scenic spot in Ogasawara

Minamijima Island is home to one of Japan's most remarkable submerged karst landscapes. While exploring the area, you can admire the subfossils of Mandarina luhuana—an endemic snail species that has gone extinct, though its delicate shells remain scattered along the terrain. The unique geological features formed by the submerged karst make this site especially rare and fascinating. In summer, the island becomes a vital breeding ground for both Wedge-tailed shearwaters and Brown boobies, offering seasonal opportunities to observe these seabirds in their natural habitat.

Ogasawara Night Tour

When the sun sets over the Ogasawara Islands and night descends upon the vast ocean, a new world awakens. The Bonin flying fox—the islands’ only endemic mammal—begins its nocturnal activities, gliding silently through the trees. On the beaches, coenobita hermit crabs emerge, offering a completely different charm compared to the daytime scenery. In July, you may have the rare chance to witness green sea turtles coming ashore to nest under the moonlight. Deep in the mountains, after rainfall, you might encounter the magical glow of “Green Pepe” mushrooms (Mycena chlorophos), which emit a soft green bioluminescence. These fantastical fungi are in season from May to November. Above it all, the breathtaking night sky of Ogasawara—free from light pollution and bathed in clean ocean air—comes alive with stars. If you're lucky, the Milky Way may treat you to a dazzling celestial show.

Itinerary

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01
Tokyo (Takeshiba Ferry Terminal)

At 9:30 AM, check in at Takeshiba Ferry Terminal for your voyage aboard the Ogasawara Maru. A 24-hour journey across the Pacific awaits, bound for the remote paradise of Chichijima in the Ogasawara Islands.

Meals included: None Overnight: Aboard the Ogasawara Maru, Economy Berth
02
Chichijima Island, Ogasawara

You will arrive at Chichijima island at around 11:00 AM and be transferred to your accommodation. In the afternoon, join a half-day sea kayaking tour. At night, enjoy a guided night tour and take the opportunity to encounter a range of fascinating sights: bioluminescent "Green Pepe" mushrooms, the Bonin flying fox—designated a National Natural Monument—and other nocturnal coastal creatures. The star-filled night sky over Ogasawara will leave you in awe.

Meals included: None Overnight: Guesthouse-class accommodation on Chichijima Island
03
Chichijima Island, Ogasawara

Spend the day fully immersed in the sea of Ogasawara on a shared boat tour featuring dolphin watching, snorkeling in vibrant coral reefs, and a chance encounter with a graceful Green turtle. Marvel at the striking beauty of submerged karst formations—another highlight of the day’s adventures. Take a refreshing break from the water with a scenic hike on Minamijima Island. For confident swimmers, there may even be an opportunity to swim alongside the friendly Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins

**Between February and March, you’ll also have the chance of whale watching, as humpback whales migrate to this archipelago for their winter breeding season.

Meals included: Breakfast Overnight: Guesthouse-class accommodation on Chichijima Island
04
Chichijima Island, Ogasawara

Another day to enjoy a shared boat tour into the sea of Ogasawara—offering more chances to encounter marine wildlife, swim with dolphins, and, during the winter season, experience whale watching.

Meals included: Breakfast Overnight: Guesthouse-class accommodation on Chichijima Island
05
Chichijima Island, Ogasawara

Enjoy your free time on the island to the fullest, right up until the last moment. Renting a bicycle will be a wonderful way to explore the island at your own pace. In the afternoon, depart from Chichijima Island aboard the "Ogasawara Maru," gazing out at the Mukojima Island chain as your 24-hour return journey to Tokyo begins.

Meals included: Breakfast Overnight: Aboard the Ogasawara Maru, Economy Berth
06
Tokyo (Takeshiba Ferry Terminal)

The tour concludes upon arrival at the Takeshiba Ferry Terminal in Tokyo around 15:00.

Meals included: None

Price

Season: All year

  Price per person
 Tour cost for 2025/2026
5nights 6days
JPY198,000
Single room supplement JPY12,000

**Prices are for reference only. Final costs may vary depending on actual travel dates, accommodations, and other factors. Please contact us for a customized quote.
** This itinerary serves as a general guideline for the tour. We are happy to customize the content—including activity types, tour duration, and accommodation upgrades—based on your preferences.

Payment:

We require booking fee of JPY50,000 per person to hold the space at time of booking and the final payment is due 45days prior to departure.

Form of payment :

Bank transfer or credit card (Visa or Master)

Inclusions:

Return Ferry fee (Ogasawa-Maru :Economy Berth)
3nights accommodations on Chichijima island
3 Breakfasts
All entry fees to sites, activities listed in the itinerary

Exclusive of:

International & domestic Airfares
Wetsuit and snorkeling equipment rental fee
Travel Insurance
Meals that are not included in the itinerary
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Personal expenses such as laundry bills, extra luggage delivery service etc

Climate

The Ogasawara Islands lie within the subtropical zone and enjoy warm weather throughout the year, with little seasonal variation in temperature. On fine days, it’s comfortable enough to wear short sleeves or a light long-sleeved shirt—even in winter. Sea conditions, particularly on the outside deck of the Ogasawara Maru ferry or on tour boats, can be windy, so bringing a windbreaker is recommended. Sandals are a convenient choice for strolling around the town of Chichijima. During boating excursions, be sure to take appropriate precautions against sun exposure. While the waters remain inviting year-round, wearing a wetsuit is essential for snorkeling and swimming with dolphins in winter. Wetsuits and snorkeling gear are available for rent on site for an additional fee.

About the Ogasawara Maru Ferry

Ogasawara does not have an airport, so the only access is by ferry. The ferry liner Ogasawara Maru sets sail once a week from Takeshiba Ferry Terminal in Tokyo.
Travelers should plan for a six-day round trip to the Ogasawara Islands. The ferry departs from Takeshiba at 11:00 A.M. and takes approximately 24 hours to reach its destination, arriving at Futami Port on Chichijima Island at 11:00 A.M. the following day.
The ferry is equipped with facilities such as a restaurant, café, and shops, ensuring comfort during the voyage. There are multiple cabin classes available across five decks, with a range of pricing options. The tour includes an Economy Berth (upper and lower bunk beds with privacy curtains, facing each other).
If you wish to upgrade to a Premium Berth, Standard Twin Room, Deluxe Room, or Suite, or switch to a lower-priced Japanese-style Economy cabin, please let us know your preference.

Accommodations

Chichijima Island does not have large hotel facilities, so lodging will be arranged at a small guest house. Western-style rooms with beds may not be guaranteed. Additionally, many accommodations offer only shared bathrooms (toilets and shower areas). Since most guest houses have a limited number of rooms, securing a single-room reservation may not be possible. In some cases, group members may need to stay at separate locations. Some accommodations do not provide breakfast. In such cases, breakfast will be excluded from the tour package, and participants may purchase it from a local shop.

Dietary Restriction

Hotels in remote area such as Eastern Hokkaido may only accept requests for special meals.

Note

** On the day of your boat tour in Chichijima, please purchase your lunch at a local shop beforehand and bring it with you. There are plenty of dining options available on the island for dinner.
** Only a limited number of stores and restaurants in Ogasawara accept credit cards, and there is no foreign currency exchange available. Please bring sufficient Japanese yen cash with you before departing Tokyo.
** English is not commonly spoken in Ogasawara, including by tour guides, accommodation staff, and restaurant staff. Using a translation app is highly recommended. Most tours included in this package are conducted by Japanese-speaking guides.
** Boat tours and sea kayaking may be canceled due to poor sea or weather conditions. If a tour is canceled, the fee will be refunded after the trip, or an alternative land-based tour will be arranged if available.
** Swimming with whales is prohibited under local regulations.
** We strongly recommend that customers arrive in Tokyo at least one day prior to the tour date, as the Ogasawara Maru ferry operates only once every 6 to 7 days. Please note that if you miss the ferry for any reason—including transportation delays or cancellations—the tour fee will not be refunded.
  Contact us about this tour
Travel planning and implementation:SAIYU TRAVEL CO.,LTD.
3rd floor, Kyodo Bldg. Jimbocho, 2-2, Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051, Japan |Travel Agency Registration No. 607

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