Onegai kaeru featured many interesting islands in Japan including "How to get the cat island?", "How to Get Aogashima and Where to Stay"and you can check "the interesting island list of Japan". 

There are many more cool islands we must introduce in Japan. This time, Mikurajima. It is one of the 3 difficult islands to visit (others being Aogashima island and Toshima island).

Do you love dolphins? Who do not love them, right? (sorry, if you are a dolphin hater!)

Mikurajima island (Mikura-jima (Jima/shima means "island" in Japanese) , "御蔵島") is famous for dolphin watch. Beside, like Hachijo island, you will see so many type of tropical fishes and turtles which you may only expect from Okinawa area (south west tropical islands in Japan).

With this article, we introduce you everything about Mikurajima island how to get there, where to stay (exact address on the map of bungalow, guest houses and a hotel), what to do and what you need to be careful with when visiting the island.

Now let us begin!

<< If you have any travel destination in Japan you would like us to feature, please contact us.  If you are interested in learning about more interesting islands in Japan, you can check our comprehensive Japanese island list here. >> 

The island is covered by deep forest. This means the island has a plenty water.

The island is one old volcano but there is NO hot springs ("onsen") and there is NO soft sandy beach. For Onsen, you may want to combine your Mikurajima trip with Hachijojima island trip. It is on the same ship route.  

The island has steep roads and biking is not allowed. Yet, for the hiking, we would say this island is a great destination.

There are shops and guesthouses on this island - which is good!

The important rules of the island are 1) to book a place of stay before landing the island (otherwise, you will be rejected) and 2) to bring a health insurance card (original) with you if you have  a Japanese one to join the dolphin watch tour.

Let us brief about this island. 

Size of the island: 20.54km2

Highest point of the island: 851m

No. of household: 172

Population: 313

Male: 175

Female: 138

Source: Mikurajima village office

 The contact of village office

+81 4994-8-2121

Like many islands we featured, Mikurajima island is also part of Tokyo but totally different from the common image of "Tokyo" full of tall buildings (similar to the shock to many when learning Okutama area is also part of Tokyo).  

You can see dolphin so close. You dive into the ocean and swim with dolphins. You can not swim? Do not worry, you can watch from the ship.

You reserve a dolphin watch at your guest house. You hop on the ship owned or contracted by your guest house. 

If you stay at one of the bungalows, you contact the ship captains for the tour directly. 

And..watch out for jellyfish! Wear the proper protection against them! And just in case, bring your health insurance card with you.

When is it good to do the dolphin watch? It is from April till November. Mikurajima village office says their official rule is from 15th March till 15th November. 

The island has rough and high tides from December till March thus the ship is not reliable to travel any more.

The type of dolphins you see in the shore of Mikurajima island is Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin. It is around 2.6 meter big. 

Basically all dolphins are with tags so that the authority can study on their demography. It is usually around 120 dolphins are around the island. Most of female dolphins stay around the island till their deaths but male dolphins go somewhere once they reach a certain age after they have families.

They are not always playful with human beings. 

The island is idea for scuba diving. You can usually rent all scuba kits from guest houses (but make sure you call them and check if they have all).

For swimming, it is not the best place.

Seashore of this island are rocky cliff.

The island has very beautiful nature and great spot for scuba diving.

But the island is not for sand beach. If you expect the fine and shallow sand beach with beach parasol and you will get disappointed. There is only one area you are allowed to swim. The area is near the port, 3-5 meter depth (kinda deep!). Not for kids.

If you going into mountains of the island, you need a professional hiking guide. There are several hiking routes on the island, some of which do not need guide. You communicate the guesthouse or tourist office to see if you need one for the route you want.

Price range of the hiking tour guide is around 40USD or more per person for a half day and around 70USD or more for a full day , depending on which route, how many in group. In the summer time, there are constant shortage of hiking guides for one full day because many of them also work to guide the dolphin watch.

One guide can take 7 people or less. If 8 people or more, there must be two guides in total.

The most popular hiking route is to walk for ca 14 km to the giant and old itajii trees ("Su-da-jii" in Japanese).

The hiking road is not paved for most part. The route is quite with ups and downs. You need a good hiking gear. Stretch well before you embark your walk trip. 

And the weather can change suddenly.

There is no hot spring on this island.

Hachijojima island has full of hot springs. You may want to combine your Mikurajima trip with Hachijojima island trip. It is on the same ship route.  

An inside footage of ship to Mikura-jima island (one of several ships, Tachibana-maru "橘丸")

There are 3 ways

It is around 8 hour cruise from Takeshiba Sanbashi bay in Tokyo to Mikurajima. 

It is around 30 min flight from Oshima island.

It is around 30 min flight from Hachijojima island.

There is one round trip flight every day via Oshima and Hachijojima.

To get the island, you need to use the Toho airline

Toho airline

For inquiry/reservation: + 81 4996 2 5222

Website

1) To Mikurajima via Oshima: Chofu airport to Oshima island (Shinchuo airline), then from Oshima departing at 14:55 to Mikurajima airport arriving at 15:25 (Toho airline). 

From Mikurajima: Mikurajima airport departing at 10:55AM to Oshima island arriving at 11:30AM (Toho airline), then from Oshima to Chohu airport. 

Shinchuo airline

For inquiry/reservation: + 81 422 31 4191

Website

2) To Mikurajima via Hachijojima: Haneda airport to Hachijojima island (ANA), then from Hachijojima departing at 10:25AM to Mikurajima airport arriving at 10:50 (Toho airline). 

From Mikurajima: Mikurajima airport departing at 15:30 to Hachijojima arriving at 15:55 (Toho airline), then from Hachijojima to Haneda airport (ANA). 

ANA

For inquiry/reservation : +81 570-029-222

ANA Website

Flight is around 300-400 USD round trip depending on season.

You take a Tokai-Kisen ship

For inquiry/reservation : +81 3-5472-9999

Tokai-Kisen Website

Very important to check this chart to see if the ship departs from and arrives at  Mikurajima with no problem (All in Japanese, you see the date and if the ship has any problem (due to weather condition) with its travel. O means no prob. X means that the ship was canceled for the trip)

Starting from 9000 JPY (for the shared room) up to 25210 JPY (for deluxe compartment) one way (as of July, 2017)

The typical time table as below ( It is NOT an exact time table which changes from time to time and you need to check with the ship company from its website or call  +81 3 5472 9999 Open 8:30AM - 20:00)

To Mikurajima Island from Tokyo 

Take the ship at 22:30 (night) from Tokyo (Takeshiba Sanbashi port)

Arriving at Miyakejima Island at 05:00AM

Leaving Miyakejima Island at 05:05AM

Arriving at Mikurajima Island at 05:55AM (you get off here)

Leaving Mikurajima Island at 06:00AM

Arriving at Hachijojima Island at 08:50AM

To Tokyo from Mikurajima Island

The ship leaving at 09:40AM (morning) from Hachijojima

Arriving at Mikurajima Island at 12:30PM ( lunch time) (You get on here)

Leaving Mikurajima Island at 12:35

Arriving at Miyakejima Island at 13:25

Leaving Miyakejima Island at 13:35

Arriving at Tokyo at 19:40　(Takeshiba Sanbashi port)

You can see how the weather is like on the island right now from this link.  See anything interesting? Just check this out!

There are 7 guesthouses (among which one hotel "type" place) and 5 bungalows on this island.

1) It is very important to book one of those in advance, or you are not allowed to land on Mikurajima island.

2) Around 5-8 August, several guest houses are closed (even if the dolphin watch tour can go on) due to the Reitai festival.

3) In summer time, Mikurajima is so popular that you need to book 2-3 month in advance (usually by telephone or fax) and a possible lottery system (!) to decide if you can book or not.

4) Many guest houses ask you to bring a health insurance card (original) if you have a Japanese. Esp. if you join a dolphin watch tour, you may need to go to see a doctor in case of emergency. If you have a foreign travel insurance, it may depend on its term. 

You can not camp on this island but you can stay at bungalows!

Name: Fu-re-ai Hi-ro-ba Bungalow （ふれあい広場　バンガロー） 

Room charge: 2000JPY (with no meal) 

Contact: +81 4994 8 2022 (8:30AM-17:00) 

Website (You can book from 2 month in advance by telephone)

Note: Max 4 people for one bungalow. There are 5 bungalows in total (meaning 20 people to stay) 2 min 100JPY for shower.

You can check the room availability from this link ("空有" means available, "空無" means not available)

You can apply to rent items by this form(pdf, in Japanese)

Name: Guesthouse Marui （民宿まるい）

Room charge:  

Non-summer time 8600JPY per person if staying alone in one room, 8000JPY per person if 2-3 people staying in one room.

In summer time  9800JPY per person if staying alone in one room, 8600JPY per person if 2-3 people staying in one room.

Contact: +81 4994 8 2318

Website

Name: Guesthouse Teppoba （民宿　鉄砲場）

Room charge: 8750JPY per person if staying alone in one room,  7750JPY per person if 2-3 people staying in one room.

Kid price available starting from 6000JPY (4-6 years old)

Contact: +81 4994 8 2209

Website (You can book from late March for the stay from April - Oct)

Name: Guesthouse Nishikawa （民宿　西川）

Room charge: 8000JPY excl. tax per person with dinner and breakfast 

Contact: +81 4994 8 2106

Website (You can book from late March for the stay from April - Oct)

Note: there are many cats living around this guest house.

Name: Guesthouse Choya （民宿 丁や）

Room charge: 8000JPY 

Contact: +81 4994 8 2165 (if no answer, try this +81 4994 8 2218)

Website (You can book from 2 month in advance)

Note: The food is big here. Many good reviews.

Name: Guesthouse Mitomi （民宿 Mitomi）

Room charge: 4500JPY (with no meal) 

Contact: +81 4994 8 2273 

Website (You can book from 3 month in advance)

Name: Guesthouse Yamaju （民宿 山じゅう）

Room charge:  

Non-summer time 8600JPY per person if staying alone in one room, 7600JPY per person if 2-3 people staying in one room.

In summer time (16 July-30 Sept)  9200JPY per person if staying alone in one room, 8000JPY per person if 2-3 people staying in one room.

Kid price available starting from 5100JPY (4-6 years old)

Dolphin watch special price: one night stay with dinner and breakfast and dolphin watch for two people 15300JPY per person. (you need to be a group of two)

Lunch: 1000JPY

Contact: +81 4994 8 2525

Website (You can book from 2 month before your arrival by telephone or fax)

Note: the public area on the 1st floor is a smoking area. Not good for kids. You may need to share a room in the peak time.

Name: Mikuraso （御蔵荘）

Room charge:  8700-13400 JPY per person

Contact: +81 4994 8 2555

Website (You can book from 3 month before your arrival by fax)

Note: Good reviews. There is a souvenir shop in this hotel. For early arrival, you can sleep on tatami room in the lobby. The water in the bath tab is not always hot enough.

Mikurajima has several festivals. A big one in August around 5th-8th. There is also a firework festival.

When you combine your trip to Hachijojima with Mikurajima, you can also check the below info where to stay at Hachijijima island, the island full of hot spring.

Source: the hotel's official website

You can book this hotel from the below link!

Name: Hotel Seapiross ( 八丈島　ホテル　リゾートシーピロス)　

Address: 1304-3 Mitsune, Hachijo, Hachijojima island, Tokyo 100-1511

( 100-1511東京都八丈島八丈町三根1304-3 )

7 mins from Hachijojima airport. Pickup service available (please book in advance)

Walking distance from Sokodo port. It is also close to Sokodo beach.

TEL： +81 4996-2-5757

FAX：+81 4996-2-3011

Checkin: 15:00 (you need to check in at 20:00 at latest)

Checkout: 11:00

Note: The hotel has a detached house which you can also book and stay for extreme privacy

Source: the guesthouse's official website

Click here to book this Guesthouse!

Name: SEADIVE Guesthoues  ( formerly known Shelltone) ( シーダイブ　ゲストハウス ) 　

Address: 1312-4 Mitsune, Hachijo, Hachijojima island, Tokyo 100-1511

(100-1511　東京都八丈島八丈町三根1312-4)

Note: 5 min by car from Hachijojima airport. The closest stay to Sokodo port (only 1 min walk!).

TEL： +81 4996-2-5840 or +81 90-7179-3922

Checkin: Between 15:00 and 18:30 (If earlier or later than this time frame, please let the guesthouse know)

Checkout: 10:00

NOTE: It is a guest house close to the beach and with a ping-pong table. Rental bike is available. NO PJ available.

Source: the hotel's official website

Click here to book this Hotel!

Name: Lido Park Resort Hachijo  ( リードパークリゾート八丈島 ) 　

Address: 5392 Mitsune, Hachijo, Hachijojima island, Tokyo 100-1511

( 100-1511東京都八丈島八丈町三根5392)

8 mins by car from Hachijojima airport. Pickup service available ( need a reservation)

TEL： +81 4996-2-7701

Checkin: 15:00 (Need to check in latest 19:00)

Checkout: 10:00

NOTE: Outside swimming pool is available in summer. If you need dinner, please book it in advance. There is no shop around and you may just need to buy an instant noodle from the shop in the hotel for dinner.

Source: the hotel's official website

Click here to book this Hotel!

Name: Hachijo View Hotel (八丈ビューホテル)

Address: 4422-1 Okago, Hachijo-machi, Tokyo 100-1401

( 100-1401東京都八丈島八丈町大賀郷4422-1)

5 min by car from Hachijojima airport. 15 min by car from Sokodo port. Pickup service available

TEL： +81 4996-2-3221

Checkin: 15:00 (Need to check in latest 24:00 mid night)

Checkout: 10:00

NOTE: Cool Shochu bar. Swimming pool available. Buffet for breakfast. A lot of beautiful dinner. 

Source: the hotel's official website

Click here to book this Hotel!

Name: Hotel Lido Azzurro (ホテル　リード・アズーロ)

Address: 5489-1 Mitsune, Hachijo, Hachijojima island, Tokyo 100-1401

( 100-1511東京都八丈島八丈町三根5489-1)

7 min by car from Hachijojima airport. 7 min by car from Sokodo port. Pickup service available

TEL： +81 4996-2-3121

Checkin: 15:00 

Checkout: 10:00

NOTE: Swimming pool available. Park gulf is available for 500 JPY.

Source: the guesthouse's official website

Click here to book this guesthouse!

Name: Funamiso (船見荘)

Address: 1754 Mitsune, Hachijo, Hachijojima island, Tokyo 100-1401

( 100-1511東京都八丈島八丈町三根1754)

10 min by car from Hachijojima airport. 10 min by car from Sokodo port. 

TEL： +81 4996-2-0731

Checkin: 10:00AM (latest 21:00) Yes, you can check in from 10:00AM! Better inform the house if you are coming late.

Checkout: 09:00AM

NOTE: Parking space for 10 cars. No key on your room. There is a safe outside of your room. 

Source: the hotel's official website

Click here to book this hotel!

Name: Mantenbo (プチホテル　満天望)

Address: 930-2 Okago, Hachijo, Hachijojima island, Tokyo 100-1401

( 100-1511東京都八丈島八丈町大賀郷930-2)

10min walk from Osato bus stop of Hachijo bus

TEL： +81 4996-2-7250

Checkin: 15:00 (latest 24:00 mid night) 

Checkout: 10:00AM

NOTE: Parking space for 5 cars. There are two shared bath rooms for male and female. The baths close at 22:00. There is no restaurant around. Better order and eat at the hotel.

Now do you have all information you needed for this trip? We hope so. If you have other destination for us to feature, please let us know anytime!

If you are interested in learning about more islands in Japan, you can check our comprehensive Japanese island list here. 

More articles for you to enjoy:

Looking for a great island in Japan? How about Toshima island with so many flowers? Find out more from here!

Do you know an island with over 2000 years old tree in Japan? Please check this out!

Have you heard of "Cat islands" and want to know how to get there, please check here!

Have you heard of "Shark islands" and want to know how to get there, please click here!

Have you heard of "Rabbit islands" and want to know how to get there, please click here!

Looking for a beautiful Japanese inn with private bath during your trip to Japan? Here is the list!

Hungry in Japan? Find the unbelievably big and cheap food from our "where can we get full" list!

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Source: Wikipedia, each hotel's official website, Tokai-kisen official website, ANA official website