Shikinejima

Shikinejima (式根島) is a volcanic island in the Philippine Sea island in the Izu Islands, 140 km from Tokyo. It is one of the Izu Seven Islands group of the seven northern islands of the Izu archipelago. It was home to about 600 people in 2009. It is administered as a part of Niijima Village.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site. with integrated Google Translate.

By plane
There is no airport on the island, but there are flights from Chofu Airfield (Tokyo) to neighboring Niijima. From Niijima there are 3 boats a day to Shikinejima for about &yen;500 single journey.

By boat
Tokai Kisen operates ferries from Takeshiba Terminal (竹芝客船ターミナル) in Tokyo, adjacent to Takeshiba station on the Yurikamome line and a 500-m walk from Hamamatsucho/Daimon station on the Yamanote/O-Edo lines.

Be sure to book in advance: for example, to get the overnight ferry that departs at 22:00 (or 23:00 in the Summer months), you must book by 5pm. There are two boats, a big slow ferry, and a small fast speed cruiser. Travel time is 2½ hours on the fast boat and 9-10 hours (overnight) on the slow one. The price of the ferry ranges from around &yen;5,000 (free sleeping -- you must find a place on the ground) to &yen;15,000 or more if you wish seats or private cabins. The price is higher in summer.

Taking the overnight ferry can be an interesting way to travel if you don't suffer from sea sickness. Most people choose the cheapest tickets, and sleep on the ground (either outside, or in big cabins, with delimited spaces on the ground). On board there is a basic restaurant and many vending machines selling food, soft and alcoholic drinks. The facilities are basic. You can rent a blanket for &yen;200.

After leaving Tokyo Bay and passing under the famous Rainbow Bridge the coast line of the bay becomes hard to see but soon after sunrise it's possible to relax on the deck and watch the ferry approach and dock in two islands, Oshima and Niijima, before reaching Shikinejima. It will go to Miyakejima afterwards, and then return to Tokyo.

If you have booked a room in a "minshuku" (民宿, the budget version of a ryokan) then the staff will be waiting at the port to greet you and drive you to your lodging when you arrive at the port in the morning.



Get around
The island is 3.9 km² in total. The eastern side of the island is where most of the 600 residents live, but the whole island is easily accessible by walking or bicycle.

Renting a bicycle for a day costs from ¥800 for a simple one to ¥2000 for an electric bicycle. Bringing your own bicycle in a bag is also possible, ¥1000 one-way on the boat.

Eat
As the island is so small, there are but a few restaurants, and they close fairly early. Most visitors eat dinner at their guest house.

Go next
Shikinejima is connected by boat to several other islands in the Izu Islands chain, as well as Tokyo and Yokohama.