Kozushima
Kozushima Family Hotels: A Dark-Sky Island in Tokyo's Izu Chain
The whole island is a natural planetarium — an Izu Islands getaway where families enjoy swimming and a sky full of stars
Kozushima is an island in the Izu Islands, part of Tokyo, certified as a Dark Sky Island, making the whole island feel like a natural planetarium. Gazing up at a sky full of stars unobstructed by artificial light is a special experience families simply can't have in the city. You can reach it by boat from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo, or by small plane from Chofu Airport, letting you enjoy a full-fledged island getaway while technically staying within Tokyo Metropolis.
In summer, swimming in the island's crystal-clear water is the highlight of any family trip. Mount Tenjo, the island's symbol, is the stage for hiking and mountain walks, and combined with fishing and hot springs, it's an island that offers something to enjoy year-round. The island is compact, with hotels and restaurants clustered around the port, making it easy to get around even with young children.
Places to stay are mostly warm, family-run establishments. Yamashita Bekkan Kozushima is the island's only hot spring inn, with spacious 4-tatami-mat Japanese-style and Japanese-Western rooms where families can relax. Hotel Kozukan Kozushima is the only true "hotel" on Kozushima in the Tokyo Islands, with an ocean view in every room. It comes with kids' amenities like yukata robes, mugs, and baby formula, plus pickup service from the port or airport and a coin laundry, making it a reassuring choice for families. Vacation House Familia Kozushima is a B&B-style inn where each family gets a room to themselves, with free pickup service to the port, airport, and hot springs.
There's also Ryokan Fumotoya Kozushima, close to the trailhead for Mount Tenjo, with a detached cottage that sleeps up to 10 people, making it suitable for three-generation trips. Minshuku Yosoube Kozushima, within walking distance of the port, is known for its island cooking made with local fish and ashitaba greens, along with warm, homey hospitality. Since boats can be cancelled depending on sea conditions, it's best to plan a schedule with some flexibility. On this island of stars and sea, families can enjoy relaxed time together.
Highlights
- checkFamilies can enjoy a sky full of stars on an island certified as a Dark Sky Island
- checkSoak in a natural hot spring at Yamashita Bekkan Kozushima, the island's only hot spring inn
- checkPlenty of hotels offer pickup service from the port and kids' amenities
Family-friendly features in Kozushima
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Nearby attractions
Travel tips
Because boats to the island can be cancelled depending on sea conditions, building some flexibility into your schedule is a firm rule. If stargazing is your main goal, planning your trip around the new moon, when there's less moonlight, lets you see even more stars. Since the island has a limited number of hotels, booking early is recommended for the summer swimming season. Hotels are clustered around the port, so checking in advance whether pickup service is available makes getting around easier.
Best season
Summer is best for swimming. The stars can be enjoyed year-round, and spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for hiking on Mount Tenjo.
Getting there
By large ferry or high-speed jet boat from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo to Kozushima Port. Also reachable by small plane from Chofu Airport. Around the island, hotel pickup service and rental bicycles are convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Kozushima?
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The usual way is to cross to Kozushima Port from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo by large ferry or high-speed jet boat. A small plane from Chofu Airport is also an option. Boats can be cancelled depending on sea conditions, so if you're traveling with kids, it's best to plan a schedule with some flexibility.
Are there family-friendly hotels to stay at in Kozushima?
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Hotel Kozukan Kozushima, with an ocean view in every room, is convenient for families, offering kids' amenities like yukata robes, mugs, and baby formula, along with pickup service from the port or airport and a coin laundry. There's also a good range of family-friendly places to stay, including Yamashita Bekkan Kozushima, the island's only hot spring inn, and Vacation House Familia Kozushima, where each family gets a room to themselves.
What can kids enjoy in Kozushima?
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In summer, kids can swim in the island's crystal-clear water, and year-round, they can stargaze under the sky full of stars that comes with being a Dark Sky Island. They can also go hiking on Mount Tenjo, the island's symbol, or try fishing, making it an island where families can enjoy nature all year long.