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Ogasawara National Park

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Ang Ogasawara National Park ay binubuo ng mga subtropikal na isla na mga 1,000 km timog ng kapuluan ng Hapon. Naitala ang mga islang ito bilang World Natural Heritage noong Hunyo 2011 dahil ito ay "ocean islands" na hindi pa nakakonekta sa kontinente sa pamamagitan ng lupa, at tirahan ito ng sari-saring flora, fauna, at ecosystems na natatangi sa ebolusyon. Sa aspeto ng tanawin, nag-aalok ito ng kakaibang island landscape na katangi-tangi sa mga subtropikal na ocean islands, kakaibang coastal landforms gaya ng pillow lava formations, at submerged karst landforms, na bibihira sa Hapon. Sa dagat, ang mga marine mammals gaya ng humpback whales at dolphins, green sea turtles, coral reefs, at tropical fish ay bumubuo sa iba-ibang ilalim ng dagat na tanawin. Ang Ogasawara Ecotourism Council ay nangunguna sa pagtataguyod ng ecotourism sa lugar, kasama na ang pagtatatag ng kusang-loob na mga patakaran sa whale watching, na sinasabing simula ng ecotourism sa Hapon. (Source: Ministry of the Environment website https://www.env.go.jp/nature/nationalparks/list/)]

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How to get there

Ogasawara National Park comprises a group of islands 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo. The islands, also known as the Bonin Islands, are a World Heritage site and feature pristine beaches, sparkling blue water, coral reefs and unique plants and animals not seen elsewhere in Japan. The park is only accessible by ship from Tokyo to Chichijima, the second-largest of the group of islands, where you can take a boat to Hahajima, the third-largest. Visits to some islands (including Minamijima) must be booked in advance and are conducted by licensed guides.

From Tokyo

The Ogasawara Maru ferries passengers from Tokyo’s Takeshiba Pier to Chichijima Island’s Futami Port in 24 hours (or longer, if the weather is bad). The ship departs once every three days during the high seasons, and once every six days during the low seasons. Reservations for the ship (and package tours) can be made on the English-language website of the ship operator, Ogasawara Kaiun. The company also operates the Hahajima Maru, which offers almost daily service between Chichijima and Hahajima. Once at Futami Port on Chichijima, you can stop by the Ogasawara Village Tourist Association Visitor Center for English-language maps and brochures, and to book tours.