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▶History and Culture
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The Ogasawara Islands were discovered by Ogasawara Sadayori in 1593, and in 1830, about XNUMX people, including Europeans and Native Hawaiians, settled there.
It was recognized as a Japanese territory in 1876, and from the Taisho to the early Showa periods, fruit cultivation and fishing were thriving, with a population of 7,000.
However, the Pacific War forced the islanders to evacuate, and after the war the island came under occupation by the U.S. military.
After the Ogasawara Islands was returned to Japan in 43 and the Ogasawara Islands Reconstruction Special Measures Act was enacted, the village was developed mainly through public works projects.
Iwo Jima is subject to severe volcanic activity, and former residents have not been able to return; only the Self-Defense Forces and those associated with them remain on the island.
The language spoken in Ogasawara is a unique mix of English, languages and dialects from Hawaii and the South Sea Islands, and languages from Hachijojima and the mainland.
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▶Sightseeing and Activities
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The Ogasawara Islands, which were registered as a World Heritage Site in 2011, are oceanic islands that have never been connected to a continent since their formation. As a result, many endemic and rare species live and thrive here, forming a unique island ecosystem.
The World Heritage Sites are the Mukojima Islands, Chichijima Islands, Hahajima Islands, and the Volcano (Iwo) Islands, which include Kita-iojima, Minami-iojima, and Nishinoshima. On Chichijima and Hahajima, the areas excluding the settlements and some of the surrounding sea areas are World Heritage Sites.
In the deep blue ocean known as Bonin Blue, you can encounter wild dolphins and whales, and in the primeval forests you can encounter plants and animals that only live on the Ogasawara Islands and have evolved in a unique way.
In the waters of Ogasawara, you can enjoy a variety of marine activities, including whale watching, dolphin swimming and watching, snorkeling, diving, sea kayaking, and fishing.
▶Sakaiura Beach
https://www.visitogasawara.com/archive/archive-3451/
Offshore, the Hinko Maru remains, which was torpedoed and stranded during World War II.
The bow of the ship can be seen from land, and if you snorkel you can see the main body of the ship, which has become a fishing reef.
▶Mikazukiyama Observatory
https://www.visitogasawara.com/archive/archive-5449/
From this observation deck, located on the middle slope of Mikazukiyama in the west of Futami Port, you can look down on Omura Village, the center of Chichijima, Maehama Beach, Futami Port, and more.
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▶Specialty products
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Although it is located in Tokyo, the climate here is subtropical and surrounded by mysterious forests, where colorful tropical fruits are carefully grown.
・Passion fruit: At its peak from May to June, it has an excellent balance of sweetness and sourness.
・Island Lemon: Even though the skin is green, it is juicy and has just the right amount of sweetness.
・Shima Tomato: A limited edition product available in winter, rich in sweetness.
・Rum: A local liquor with an alcohol content of 40%, created against the backdrop of the history of trade between the first Europeans who settled in Ogasawara.
・Passion liqueur: A local liquor with an alcohol content of 12%, made by adding the juice of passion fruit, a specialty of Ogasawara, to this rum.
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▶Immigration Information
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Aiming to become a tourism-based island with tourism as its pillar, the village has been making efforts to conserve and sustainably use the natural environment as an "ecotourism island," including establishing and enforcing voluntary rules for land and sea areas. In 28, the village put together the "Ogasawara Village Overall Plan for Promoting Ecotourism," and is committed to promoting ecotourism.
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▶Childcare environment
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・Nursery schools: 2 (Chichijima/Hahajima)
・Elementary schools: 2 schools (Chichijima/Hahajima)
・Junior high school: 2 schools (Chichijima/Hahajima)
・High school: 1 school (Chichijima)
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▶Medical and nursing care environment
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・General medical clinics: 2 facilities (Chichijima/Hahajima)
・Nursing care facility: 1 facility (Chichijima)
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▶Lifestyle Information
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In Ogasawara Village, each villager understands the constraints of living on an extremely remote island, and they acquire the ability to be independent and support each other, forming a strong community. They also respond carefully to various environmental changes and promote the development of the environment and revitalization of industry necessary for continued livelihood, aiming to become "an island where people can continue to live fulfilling lives."
Within Ogasawara village, there are several privately owned shops, souvenir stores, restaurants, etc. on Chichijima and Hahajima.
Although it is not the most convenient location, you can buy all the groceries and daily necessities you need.
▶Child medical expenses subsidy
Both outpatient and inpatient care is fully subsidized for infants and young children not yet in compulsory education (up to the first March 6st after reaching the age of 3).
▶ Support for those expecting a baby
We hold classes for mothers and parents for households with pregnant women, where they can receive lectures on pregnancy and childbirth and learn how to care for their babies.
Because Ogasawara Village does not have a facility where women can give birth within the village, public health nurses visit each household during "mid-pregnancy visits" to provide advice on any anxieties or worries that may arise before women travel to Tokyo.
In the "Home Visits to All Infant and Young Families" program, public health nurses visit the homes of residents after they return to the island, take physical measurements of the babies, and provide information on child-rearing.
