PRIVATE / customized
  • Enjoy Ogasawara - BONIN ISLANDS
  • Tokyo(Ogasawara Islands) , Japan
  • Explore both the forest and the sea for 3 consecutive nights on Chichijima

Highlights

  • Take a fulfilling trip to the Ogasawara Islands, small groups only
    Visit the island chains of the Ogasawara Islands which have never been connected to the mainland. On this tour, 4 days and 3 nights give you time to experience the rich wildlife on the island, surrounded by the dark blue sea. The best way to experience the Ogasawara Islands is in a small group. During your stay in Chichijima, we can flexibly schedule activities according to the weather and enjoy yourself to the fullest.
  • Landing on Minamijima, the most scenic spot in Ogasawara
    South Island (Minamijima), one of the most scenic spots in Ogasawara, is one of Japan's leading submerged karst terrains. Enjoy the subfossils of the endemic snail species of Mandarina luhuana, which has gone extinct, but the shells can still be seen while walking around the area. The terrain created by submerged karst is also very unusual. Summer is the breeding season for the wedge-tailed shearwater and brown Booby.
    * Depending on the wind direction and height of the waves, there might be difficulty landing on the island. We will have a spare day for rescheduling, but please note that we may not be able to land at all.
  • Day trip to the Mother Island Hahajima
    Take the Hahajima Maru to Hahajima/Oki Port. Travel Hahajima to the ruins of the Kitamura village, which passes through a forest surrounded by banyan trees as well as other locations around the island. (Depending on the weather, the places we will visit will change). We may come across "Bonin white-eye," the endemic bird of Hahajima, which is designated as a National Special Natural Monument and endangered species. Hahajima is located 50km south of Chichijima, home to the highest peak of the Ogasawara Islands, Mt. Chibusa (463m), in the center of the island with the coast lined with steep cliffs.
  • Ogasawara Maru; a round-trip second-class sleeper
    The new ship Ogasawara Maru (2016) will sail for 1,000km in over 24 hours. To make your long voyage more comfortable, we will prepare a compartment-type sleeper (Economy berth) with curtains. The bunk beds are individually equipped with outlets.
    * Upgrades to first-class and special rooms can be arranged at an additional charge. Please apply as soon as possible.
    * We also accept requests for ladies only rooms. As the number of rooms is limited, it may be unisex if not reserved ahead of time.

Enjoy the Ogasawara Sea of "Bonin Blue"

Even if you have never tried it before, there are safe snorkeling spots and you can even take the opportunity to swim with the dolphins if you want to. Ogasawara boasts one of the richest ecosystems and clearest waters in the world. If you go all the way to Ogasawara, it would be a waste not to explore the underwater world. On Seihyo Beach in Futami Bay, you can see large coral reefs and the fish that are using it as a hideout. Because it is a bay, the water depth is shallow and the waves are calm, so even beginners can feel safe to give it a try.
* Local snorkeling equipment & wet suits are available for use.

Chichijima Nature/Nature Walk

Ogasawara is an oceanic island chain that has never been connected to any main land, so it is inhabited by uniquely evolved creatures and forms a unique ecosystem. Due to its high endemic species rate and other factors it has been registered as a World Heritage Site. As you enjoy walking the island, you will see the endemic species of Japanese wood pigeon (Columba janthina nitens) and other rare subtropical forests.


Japanese wood pigeon C. j. nitens: Purple-red hues on the head and from the neck to the back with a dark beautifully metallic purple color. Young birds have a paler black body.


Hibiscus glaber: A member of the Talipariti tiliaceum, which blooms on the coast in Okinawa, and grows naturally on the mountains of Ogasawara. It blooms mainly from early summer to autumn, and in July it is in full bloom. The flowers last only for one day, blooming yellow in the morning and gradually turn red by the evening and wither.

Father Island Chichijima Night Tour

When the sun sets at Ogasawara and the night befalls its vast ocean, the activities of the Bonin flying fox, the only endemic mammal in the Ogasawara Islands, starts. The coenobita hermit crabs appear on the beach, offering a very different charm then in the daytime. In July, there is a chance perhaps to see the nesting green sea turtles coming up on the beaches. In the mountains, you might see the fantastic appearance of 'Green Pepe' mushrooms (Mycena chlorophos) that have a green bioluminescence in the darkness after the rain (in season from May to November). The amazing night sky of Ogasawara, with clean air and less light pollution, is covered by stars and the Milky Way might offer a special show for you.

Itinerary

  City Summary
1 Tokyo/Takeshiba Pier Gather at Tokyo's Takeshiba Pier Terminal at 10 am. Board the Ferry Ogasawara Maru and spend a 24 hour journey to the Ogasawara Islands. Many enjoy observing the seabirds from the deck. Ogasawara Maru: Stay in the 2nd class sleeper
Stay at Ogasawara Maru: 2nd class sleeper | Meals not included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
2

Father Island, Chichijima

As we enjoy view of the Mukojima Islands, we arrive at Futami Port on Chichijima at around 11 AM. In the afternoon, the Island tour will help you experience the unique environments of the island, the plants unique to the Ogasawara Islands, and the long history as well. In the evening, a guided tour will lead you through the forest to see the glowing mushrooms, the Bonin flying fox (national natural monument), other nocturnal coastal creatures and to observe the amazing stars at night. Stay at Chichijima
Stay at Chichijima | Meals Included: Dinner
3 Visit South Island, Minamijima It's a day to fully enjoy the sea of Ogasawara from a private chartered boat. Enjoy snorkeling at Anijima Marine Park and Seihyo Beach, where you can swim with dolphins if you want the challenge. Amazing coral reefs underwater and you may even encounter a green turtle! A spectacular view of submerged karst will also be one of the activities. Take a hike on Minamijima as a break from the boat. Stay at Chichijima
Stay at Chichijima | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
4 Day Trip to Mother Island, Hahajima In the morning, take the Hahajima Maru to Hahajima (about 2 hour ferry ride, one way). After arriving, the guide will take you around Hahajima from north to south. Look for the bird, designated as a special natural monument, the Bonin white-eye, which is endemic to Ogasawara. Return to Chichijima in the afternoon.
Stay at Chichijima | Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
5 Chichijima A guided nature tour in the morning. Observe the flora and fauna endemic to the Ogasawara Islands at the Japanese Wood Pigeon Sanctuary. Depart from Futami Port in the afternoon, looking out at the Mukojima Island chain as we make the return trip back to Tokyo.
Stay at Ogasawara Maru: 2nd class sleeper | Meals Included: Breakfast provided
6 Tokyo/Takeshiba Pier The tour ends after arriving at Takeshiba Pier
** We offer other tours within Japan and can accommodate customized packages and quotes in combination with this one. Please feel free to inquire for more information from our agent.

Price

Season: June to November
  Price per person
Tour cost JPY 238,000
*For 5 to 8 participants
Single room supplement JPY 18,000
*Excluding Ogasawara Maru
**Price is for reference only.Price will vary depending on the actual travel dates,hotels to be used,etc.Please contact us for a quote.
** This is a general guideline for the tour. We welcome any changes in the types of activities included, duration of the tour as well as upgrades in accommodations, as you request.
** Tour price listed is per person, based on sharing twin rooms; please inquire for price quotes if your group is more or less than the group size limit mentioned.

Including :

2nd class sleeper between Tokyo(Takeshiba) - Chichijima by the Ferry Ogasawara Maru | 3 nighs of Accommodation at Chichijima | English Speaking Guide and driver | Private Transportation in 10-seater Vehicle | Meals Included Breakfast & Dinner at Chichima, Meals on the Ferry Ogasawara Maru are not included | Boat tour & observation mentioned in program | All entry fees

Exclusive of :

Transportation to/from Japan | Domestic flight in Japan | Travel & Medical Insurance (Mandatory) | Meals on the Ferry Ogasawara Maru | Daily Lunches & Additional Snacks | Personal expenses (Souvenirs and Alcoholic Beverages, etc.)

Other

** If the weather is nice, the temperatures will be warm enough to spend the day in short sleeves or a light long-sleeved shirt. Weather conditions while boating (Ogasawara Maru Ferry, sightseeing boats) may be windy, so a windbreaker is recommended. For hiking, full rain gear (separate tops and bottoms) may be needed. Ocean type swimsuits and extra towels for day trips. Wet suits will be rented locally. Sandals are convenient to wear in the accommodations. Please take the appropriate precautions for sun exposure during the boating and hiking trips.
■ Nature Walks: Please bring your own insect repellent, rain gear, hiking shoes, backpack and hats for the sun. Flashlights for the night walks will be provided locally.
■ Clothing Needs: Please prepare ocean suitable swimsuits and we recommend a T-shirt, rash guard, and shorts to protect yourself from the sun. When entering the sea, a wet suit can be worn over your swimsuit (it is also a buoyancy device). You can bring your own masks, snorkel and fins, or rent them locally for free. It's a good idea to bring a hat cover your face and to provide extra protection against sunburn. Coral-reef friendly sunscreen is also receommended in order to protect the natural environment.
** * There are no large hotel facilities on Chichijima, so loding will be at a guest house. Many facilities only offer shared toilets and bathing areas. In addition, since many guest houses only have a small number of rooms, it may not be possible to secure a single room reservation. Or sometimes some group members may have to stay at a separate location.
■ Accommodation list in Chichijima: Pension Cabbets Beach, Hotel Bougain, Fisheye, Log House Mail, Nineball, Sunshine Ogasawara, Papa's Island Resort, West, West Annex, Seatpia, Portroid, Ogasawara Diving Center, Minshuku Fuku, Minshuku Nagiya
** Meals on the Ferry Ogasawara Maru are not included in the travel price. Feel free to enjoy your lunch at the restaurants and cafes on board, but please be prepared to pay for each meal individually. Breakfast will be prepared at the lodging. Lunch: Each morning, we will stop by a supermarket to give everyone time to purchase your food and drinks for the day Dunner: Provided at the lodging or the town restaurants
** "Regarding the sleeper cabins on ship Ogasawara Maru: During the long boat trip on Ogasawara Maru we will pre-arrange "second-class sleeper" (upper and lower bunk beds with curtains, facing each other). If you would like to upgrade the cabin (a first-class room, special first-class room, etc.) or change to an economy Japanese-style room, please let us know as soon as possible. The Ogasawara Maru is reserved from 2 months in advance (we are travelling at the peak of the season), so if we cannot secure a second-class sleeper at the time of reservation, we may guide you to other categories, where you would pay any actual cost difference.
  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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Saiyu Travel Co.,Ltd. / Since1973