A tour around paradise on earth in Japan.

Located 35km south of Tokyo and surrounded by the Philippine Sea, Aogashima is a volcanic island in Japan's Izu Islands, home to 200 residents inside an active volcano.

The island is also known as volcanic island, with its unique shape formed by volcanic eruptions. Covering an area of ​​approximately 9 square kilometers, it is located within Tokyo, but visitors wishing to reach Aogashima must take a two-hour flight and several more hours by boat. The island attracts very few tourists each year due to its isolation.

An isolated volcanic island in the middle of the ocean.

Aogashima is a volcanic island that rose from the sea and is still considered a Category C active volcano, even though its last eruption was in the 1780s, killing 140 people. It took nearly 50 years for the island to fully recover before some residents decided to return to live on this beautiful island.

It is believed that the island was formed by the remnants of four volcanoes stacked on top of each other, measuring 3.5 km in length and 2.5 km in width. Inside the island lies Maruyama, a smaller, conical volcano that is considered to still be active.

The island is nestled within a volcanic crater and surrounded by rugged cliffs of very steep volcanic sediment. Located in the strong currents of the Kuroshio Sea, docking is extremely difficult for ships. The island actually lacks a harbor for anchoring due to the sheer cliffs surrounding it. The island's only pier, Sanbo, can handle small vessels up to 500 tons and is unusable in rough seas, strong winds, or harsh weather.

Alternatively, you can reach the island by helicopter, provided by Tokyo Island Shuttle Service. Both services (boat and helicopter) depart from Hachijojima Island, 60km away. Before the helicopter service began operating in 1993, the transportation of passengers, essential goods, and food was only possible by boat, and it was difficult to predict when the boats would arrive.

Each helicopter flight to the island carries a maximum of nine passengers, flying only once a day. Depending on the season, flights may be canceled if there is dense fog. This is why Aogashima remains an isolated and difficult-to-access island.

Untouched nature, diverse vegetation.

Today, despite the lingering threat of volcanic activity, the inhabitants of Aogashima live peacefully and fearlessly. They utilize the volcanic heat as natural hot springs and saunas, making it feel like a paradise island.

At the center of the island is a natural sauna with a steam room, a public bath, and showers. You can use the steam for cooking, such as boiling fresh vegetables, potatoes, or eggs. Despite being an isolated island, there is a building that utilizes geothermal and gas energy to power the daily needs of the residents.

One of the attractions in Aogashima is the hingya salt factory located right next to the Maruyama volcanic crater. Visitors can observe the process of creating this high-quality salt from mineral- and calcium-rich Kuroshio seawater, a crystallization process that takes weeks thanks to the steam rising from the volcanic crater... This is a premium salt used in the preparation of several Japanese dishes. Additionally, many tourists enjoy the experience at the Fureai Community Spa, a geothermal sauna powered by volcanic steam located in the center of the island.

The highest point on the island is Otonbu, the summit of the outer rim of the volcanic crater. At 432 meters above sea level, it offers visitors breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific volcano.

One of the best things about the island is that it's not heavily tourist-infested, making Aogashima a perfect destination for those seeking tranquility, adventurous souls, and anyone who enjoys exploring the undiscovered.

The island doesn't offer much to do or have fun on, except for enjoying the tranquility of a paradise in the middle of the ocean. The volcanic island of Aogashima is blessed with incredibly diverse vegetation, especially at night, and a rich flora and fauna that always amazes anyone who sees it for the first time. Due to the low population density and limited tourist numbers, many hiking trails remain almost untouched.

Life is peaceful and carefree; during the day, you can watch flocks of wild birds come here to overwinter, and at night, you can lie on your back on the grass and gaze at the velvety sky filled with countless twinkling stars. This is the perfect place for travelers seeking to heal their body, mind, and spirit.

Anh Thi