Niijima: Tokyo's Island of Surf and Stone

A friendly guide to Niijima, the Izu island where pale volcanic stone shapes the statues, the glass and even the bathhouse.

Published October 26, 2026 at 11:22 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Niijima is an inhabited island in the Izu chain, administratively part of Tokyo, about 160 km south of the capital. Reach it by jet ship from Takeshiba in roughly 2 hours 20 minutes at the shortest, or by a small plane from Chofu Airport in about 40 minutes. It is known for long white-sand surf beaches and koga stone, a light volcanic rock used in sculpture, buildings and glass.

Many visitors to Tokyo never realize that the metropolis stretches far into the Pacific, and Niijima is one of its most welcoming outposts. The island combines a relaxed surf-town mood with an unusual craft tradition built around one local stone. This guide explains how to get there, what koga stone is, where to swim, surf and soak, and how to fold a neighboring island into the trip. Schedules and prices change, so treat the details below as a planning aid and confirm everything with the operators before you travel.

Where Niijima Is and Why It Counts as Tokyo

Niijima belongs to the Izu Islands, a line of volcanic islands that runs south from the mouth of Tokyo Bay. Although it sits about 160 km from the city center, it falls under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which is why it appears in official Tokyo guidebooks and on the metropolitan island access website. Niijima is the fourth largest of the Izu Islands, yet it is still small, with a village population of a few thousand people across Niijima and its neighbor Shikinejima.

The island is long and narrow, with a coastline of beaches, cliffs and small coves. The climate is mild and maritime, and annual rainfall is generous, so the landscape stays green. Because the island is so small, it is easy to understand in a day or two: one big beach on the east side and a string of scenic stops along the western shore.

The village runs a small, friendly tourism scene rather than a large resort industry. Fishing, seasonal visitors and the surf community shape daily life, which gives the island a low-key atmosphere that many travelers find refreshing after the capital.

Getting There by Jet Ship, Ferry or Plane

The fastest sea route is the high-speed jet ship from Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal in Tokyo, which takes about 2 hours 20 minutes at the shortest according to the metropolitan island access site. An overnight large passenger ship also serves the island and takes roughly 8 hours 30 minutes, which suits travelers who want to sleep aboard and arrive in the morning.

A small aircraft flies from Chofu Airport in western Tokyo in about 40 minutes, and the Tokyo island promotion site points visitors to the operator, New Central Air, for bookings. The flight is the quickest option, though seats are limited and weather can cause changes.

Two ports serve the island, Maehama and Tobune, and the island also has its own small airport. Sailings may use either port depending on sea conditions, so check the operator notice on the day you travel. Services run on seasonal timetables and can be cancelled in rough seas, so build a spare day into your plans if you have a fixed flight home.

Koga Stone: The Island's Signature Material

Koga stone is the key to understanding Niijima. It is a pumice-like volcanic rock of the rhyolite family, light in color and soft enough to carve, and the Tokyo metropolitan tourism site notes that it occurs in only two places in the world: Niijima and Lipari Island in Italy. Its easy workability made it a natural choice for builders and artists.

You will notice the stone everywhere once you start looking. Walls, sculptures and whole buildings are made of the creamy gray-white material, and some structures borrow Greek-inspired forms that make the island feel like a small Mediterranean set piece. The stone is also the raw ingredient for the island's glass, which takes on a soft olive-green tint when left undyed.

The quarry area in the southwest can be seen on the route toward the Ishiyama lookout. Seeing the source of the material helps you appreciate why carved stone appears in so many corners of the village.

The Moyai Statues and an Island Joke Turned Icon

The moyai statues are Niijima's best-known sculptures. They were made in the 1960s by a local artist, Daigo Yuichi, who was then head of the tourism association, and they take their inspiration from the moai of Easter Island. The faces are large, solemn and varied, with each one showing a different expression.

The name carries a second meaning. In the island dialect, moyau means to join forces or work together, so the statues also stand for community spirit. This pun made them a perfect symbol for a small island, and they now appear around the village in a range of sizes.

Tokyo residents may already know one relative of these figures. The famous Moyai statue outside Shibuya Station was donated by Niijima, according to the island access website, which makes it a pleasant surprise to meet its siblings on the island itself.

Habushiura Beach and the Surf Scene

Habushiura Beach is the island's headline attraction, a white-sand stretch of roughly 6.5 km on the eastern side. The Tokyo island promotion site explains that sand carried by currents from a nearby fault turns the shallow water a milky white. The beach was chosen as one of the New Tokyo 100 Views in 1982, and a white gate-like building near the shore is a well-known landmark.

Waves arriving from the open Pacific make this one of Japan's leading surf islands. Besides Habushiura, surfers talk about Mamashita Beach near the western onsen and a smaller spot reached by a forest path. Conditions and difficulty vary by spot and season, and local surf shops rent boards and offer lessons, so beginners can try a session with guidance rather than guessing at currents.

Swimmers, walkers and campers enjoy the same beach. A campground near the sand and an observation point at the northern end add easy options for a longer stay. As on any ocean beach, follow local advice about conditions and flags before entering the water.

Niijima Glass: Craft Made From Local Stone

The island's glass tradition began when a native islander, Noda Osamu, studied glass art in the United States and later began working with koga stone as a raw material. He and his wife, Noda Yumiko, founded the Niijima Glass Art Center in 1988, according to the Tokyo metropolitan tourism site, and the same year saw the start of the Niijima International Glass Art Festival.

A contemporary glass art museum followed in 1997. Each October the festival gathers international artists and students for two week-long workshops, with open days when residents and visitors can watch demonstrations. The founders have close ties to the Pilchuck Glass School in Washington state, and well-known international glass artists have taught at the festival, giving the little island a surprising place in the global glass world.

Visitors can make their own piece at the art center on the west coast, including a short engraving workshop, and browse a shop of handmade vessels. Hours, closing days and workshop details change, so verify them with the center before you plan around a visit.

Yunohama Onsen and Ishiyama Lookout

Soaking with a sea view is a highlight. Yunohama Roten Onsen is an open-air hot spring near Mamashita Beach, in a building styled like an ancient Greek temple and made from koga stone. The Tokyo island promotion site says it is open around the clock all year apart from maintenance closures, that swimwear is required, and that a free foot bath is nearby for anyone without a swimsuit.

For a wider view, the Ishiyama Observatory in the southwest looks over neighboring islands and the coast. It can be reached by car or on a hike of about 90 minutes that passes the koga quarry, so a rental bicycle or car helps if you are short on time.

Getting around the island is straightforward. Route buses, a free community shuttle, taxis, rental cars and rental bicycles are all listed on the island access site, and the compact size makes a day on two wheels a pleasant option when the weather behaves.

Island Food and Cafe Stops

Island menus lean on the sea and on local plants. The Tokyo island promotion site mentions dishes such as poke-style rice bowls with squid and tuna, miso soup with ashitaba (an Izu island leaf vegetable), and playful treats like a pale blue cream soda that echoes the color of the sea and sand. Guava beer is another local specialty worth a taste.

Popular cafes can fill up, so booking ahead for a meal is wise in busy seasons. If you have dietary needs, ask the staff about ingredients, since dishes vary by shop and season. A seaside rest house at the park near the main beach also serves island-inspired dishes and is an easy stop between swims.

Adding Shikinejima to Your Trip

Niijima shares its village with Shikinejima, a smaller island reached by a short ferry hop, and combining the two is a popular plan. The two islands form one village administratively, and the crossing runs several times a day on a seasonal timetable according to published transport information.

Staying a night on each island lets you compare a surf-oriented beach town with a quieter, more compact neighbor. Ferry timetables and weather shape the possibilities, so check current schedules before you commit to a tight itinerary.

Planning Tips for a Smooth Island Trip

The best approach is to travel light, book your ship or flight early for holiday periods, and allow a buffer day for sea conditions. Summer is the main beach season, while the quieter months suit walkers, photographers and glass lovers who want smaller crowds. Pack sun protection, a light rain layer and sandals that can handle sand and stone paths.

Because the island is small, one or two nights is enough for most travelers. Confirm opening hours for the glass center, cafes and rental shops directly, and keep a flexible mindset. When the schedule shifts, the island rewards patience with long beach walks and calm sea views.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get to Niijima from Tokyo?

The jet ship from Takeshiba takes about 2 hours 20 minutes at the shortest, while the overnight large ship takes roughly 8 hours 30 minutes. A small plane from Chofu Airport takes about 40 minutes. Schedules vary by season and weather, so confirm with the operator before you travel.

What is koga stone and why is Niijima famous for it?

Koga stone is a light, pumice-like volcanic rock of the rhyolite type that is easy to carve. The Tokyo metropolitan tourism site says it is found in only two places in the world, Niijima and Lipari Island in Italy. It is used for statues, buildings and for glass with an olive-green tint.

Can beginners surf on Niijima?

Yes, beginners can try surfing with local support. Surf shops on the island rent equipment and offer lessons, and different beaches have different wave conditions. Ask staff which spot suits your level on the day, and follow local safety advice about currents and weather.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Izu Oshima: Tokyo's Volcanic Island Escape, The Izu Peninsula: Coastal Scenery and Hot Springs Near Tokyo and Beaches of Japan: Sand, Surf and Island Swims.