Hachijojima
Hachijojima Family Hotels: Hot Springs on a Subtropical Island
About 55 minutes by plane from Haneda — an island of eternal spring where families can enjoy volcanoes, hot springs, a petting ranch, and a botanical garden
Hachijojima is an island in the Izu Islands chain, floating about 290 km south of Tokyo. Despite being a remote island, it's easy to reach — just about a 55-minute flight from Haneda Airport, with three round-trip flights a day. Warmed year-round by the Kuroshio Current, it's known as the "island of eternal spring," and its lush subtropical greenery along with natural hot springs scattered across the island make it a treat for a family trip.
The island has a gourd-like shape formed by two volcanoes, Mount Hachijo-Fuji and Mount Mihara, joined together. Halfway up Mount Hachijo-Fuji, the Fureai Ranch lets you spend time with grazing cattle while taking in sweeping views of the island and the sea, making it a popular spot with kids. The free-admission Tokyo Metropolitan Hachijo Botanical Garden is home to subtropical plants and kyon (small deer native to the island), and sometimes hosts nighttime observation events for yakou-take, a mushroom that glows in the dark.
One experience unique to Hachijojima is hot spring hopping. Around the Sueyoshi district in the island's south, you'll find hot springs full of character, from Miharashi no Yu, which looks out over the ocean, to Urami-ga-taki Onsen next to a waterfall, and The BOON, letting you feel like you're touring a whole circuit of baths. In summer, families can also snorkel at Sokodo Beach or the waters off Yaene, where calm, gentle-waved inlets make a good spot for kids to play in the sea.
Places to stay range from ocean-view resort hotels to lodges and guesthouses popular with divers, and homey, family-run pensions. Local specialties like shima-zushi (island-style sushi), ashitaba greens, kusaya (a local fermented fish dish), and other dishes made with island ingredients will also become part of your travel memories.
Highlights
- checkAbout a 55-minute flight from Haneda — a Tokyo island that's easy to reach despite being remote
- checkGet close to nature and animals at Mount Hachijo-Fuji's Fureai Ranch and the free-admission Hachijo Botanical Garden
- checkEnjoy hopping between hot springs full of character, like Miharashi no Yu and Urami-ga-taki Onsen
Family-friendly features in Hachijojima
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Recommended hotels (4)
Hachijo View Hotel
Lead Park Resort Hachijojima
Lava Sauna & Villa Hachijojima
Resort Sea Piross Hachijojima
See all hotels in Hachijojima (4)expand_more
Nearby attractions
Travel tips
Flights from Haneda typically run three round trips a day. There's also the large ferry Tachibana Maru, but it takes about 11 hours from Takeshiba. A rental car is convenient for getting around the island, and since sights like the hot springs and ranch are scattered across the whole island, booking one early is a good idea. Many hot springs charge anywhere from free to a few hundred yen, so bring a towel and enjoy hopping between them. For swimming or snorkeling, check the swimming season and sea conditions.
Best season
Warm and comfortable year-round. Swimming and snorkeling season is summer (July–September), and the Freesia Festival takes place in spring (March–April).
Getting there
About a 55-minute flight from Haneda Airport, with three round trips a day. The large ferry Tachibana Maru takes about 11 hours from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo. A rental car is the standard way to get around the island.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Hachijojima?
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It's about a 55-minute flight from Haneda Airport, with three round trips a day. By boat, the large ferry Tachibana Maru takes about 11 hours from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo. Flying keeps the travel time short, making it an easy remote island to visit with kids.
What are some family-friendly ways to spend time in Hachijojima?
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Spending relaxed time with the cattle at Mount Hachijo-Fuji's Fureai Ranch, experiencing subtropical nature at the free-admission Hachijo Botanical Garden, and hopping between ocean-view hot springs are all popular with families. In summer, you can also snorkel at Sokodo Beach.
Can kids use the hot springs on Hachijojima?
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There are several natural hot springs, mostly around the south of the island, and most of them welcome families. Many, like Miharashi no Yu with its ocean view, have great scenery, letting you enjoy the feel of a hot spring circuit. Check each spring's specific rules on-site.
Is Hachijojima easy to visit with a baby?
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Yes. With a flight from Haneda taking only about 55 minutes, the short travel time makes it a relatively easy island to visit with a baby. There's a wide range of places to stay, from ocean-view hotels to homey family-run pensions, so it helps to check each hotel's page for facilities and pickup service before you choose.