OUT & ABOUT / Archives

Aug. 4, Tue.

-Hachijo-jima was created by two volcanos.
-Adeyto is enjoying the subtropical plants in the forest of
Hachijo-jima.
-Islander Eiko Fukuda is collecting hibiscus flowers with Adeyto.

- Hachijo-jima: Discovering Tokyo's Tropical Paradise -
Hachijo-jima is about 300 kilometers south of Tokyo in the Pacific Ocean. The small island -60 kilometers in circumference- is often called "Tokyo's tropical paradise" due to its being administered by the nation's capital. Largely covered in virgin subtropical forest, Hachijo-jima has two volcanoes in the north and south.
Ancient plant species have thrived on the island due to the combination of a subtropical climate with average temperatures of 18 degrees Celsius and abundant water.

Textile dyer So Yamashita shows Adeyto the deep forest, home to 1500 species of plants. He also introduces her to locally dyed and woven silk fabrics. Later, Adeyto meets a woman who makes her a refreshing drink using a local plant.

Over the millennia many ships, from inside and outside the country, drifted to the island. During the Edo period, which began about 400 years ago, convicts from across Japan were exiled to Hachijo-jima. The legacy of these men can be seen in the distinctive walls found throughout the island's villages. They were built with round stones 400 years ago by the exiles and locals.

Hachijo-taiko drum playing heralds summer and island festivals. A pair of drummers strikes the Hachijo-taiko with one playing the base rhythm and the other improvising. Hachijo-taiko has been passed down among islanders for 400 years. It's believed that the exiles, powerless and unable to return home, took to playing the big drums in the hopes the thunderous rhythms reached their homes.

We take in other wondrous aspects of the island from a local fish delicacy and a mysterious luminous plant.

Traveler: Adeyto(artist)

[ACCESS]
To get to Hachijo-jima, board a 45-minute flight from Tokyo's Haneda airport or take the night ferry, which takes about 12 hours.
To journey around the island takes only an hour by car.
There are many inexpensive places to stay.