Niijima Island Travel Guide: Camping, Surfing, Cycling, Beaches and Open-Air Onsen

If you are looking for a different side of Tokyo, far away from crowded streets, busy train stations, and tall buildings, Niijima Island is a place worth considering.

Niijima is one of the Izu Islands belonging to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, but visiting here feels completely different from visiting central Tokyo. Instead of skyscrapers and busy roads, you get green forests, beautiful beaches, clear water, camping areas, surfing spots, fishing, cycling routes, and relaxing outdoor baths.

I visited Niijima during summer because I wanted to spend some time camping and enjoying nature. What I liked most was how easy it was to slow down. I could ride a bicycle around the island, spend time at the beach, enjoy the open-air onsen, and simply relax without needing a complicated itinerary.

For a budget traveler and outdoor lover, Niijima can be a surprisingly good destination.

Where Is Niijima Island?

Niijima is one of the nine inhabited Izu Islands, which together with the two inhabited Ogasawara Islands make up Tokyo’s 11 inhabited remote islands.

Although administratively part of Tokyo, Niijima is located in the Pacific Ocean and has a very different atmosphere from mainland Tokyo.

The island covers about 27.54 square kilometers, making it possible to explore many parts of the island without needing a car.

Niijima is especially known for its natural scenery, beaches, surfing culture, camping, cycling, outdoor baths, and distinctive local stone and glass art.

The island also has an interesting history. During the Edo period, Niijima was used as a place of exile, and people were sent there for religious or political reasons. Some of those exiles later contributed to the island’s culture, healthcare, and way of life.

Today, the atmosphere is completely different. Niijima has become a popular summer destination for people looking for beaches, surfing, camping, and outdoor adventures.

My Niijima Island Camping Experience

My main reason for visiting Niijima was simple: I wanted to enjoy camping during summer.After spending time in cities and traveling between different destinations, I wanted somewhere where I could slow down and enjoy nature. Beside these there is one more beautiful island which easy to access from here named Shikinijima which is also as beautiful as Nijima.

The camping area was surrounded by green forest, which immediately gave me a peaceful feeling. I liked waking up surrounded by trees instead of buildings and traffic.

The campsite was also properly managed, with facilities such as showers and toilets available. For me, this made camping much easier. I didn’t need to carry every possible item because many things were already available around the island.

The only thing I felt was missing was convenient electricity for charging gadgets. If you are traveling with a phone, camera, action camera, drone, or other electronic equipment, I recommend carrying a power bank.

One thing I really enjoyed about Niijima was the combination of camping and the beach.You can spend the morning outdoors, go to the beach during the day, explore the island by bicycle, and finish the day relaxing in an open-air bath.

That combination made the trip feel less like a sightseeing trip and more like a real island escape.

Things to Do on Niijima Island

Niijima is best suited to travelers who enjoy outdoor activities. You don’t need a packed schedule here. In fact, I think the island is better when you leave some time to explore slowly.

1. Relax at the Beaches

The beaches were one of my favorite parts of Niijima.I found the water very clear and the surrounding scenery beautiful. During summer, the beaches become a major attraction, with visitors coming for swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and simply enjoying the ocean.If you don’t want to do anything active, you can just sit on the beach and enjoy the scenery.Sometimes that is enough.The island is also known for beautiful coastal scenery and white-sand beaches, making it especially attractive during the warmer months.

2. Try Surfing

If you love surfing, Niijima should be on your list.The island has a strong surf culture and attracts surfers looking for good waves.I also tried surfing during my visit.Honestly, it was more difficult than I expected. The waves were strong, and I couldn’t surf for very long.But even though I struggled, I enjoyed the experience.If you are a beginner, don’t assume every surf spot will be easy. Check the conditions before entering the water and choose a location appropriate for your ability.For experienced surfers, however, Niijima can be an exciting place to spend time in the water.

3. Go Fishing

I also saw people enjoying fishing around the island.If fishing is your hobby, Niijima gives you another reason to spend time outdoors.

There are also local shops where visitors can rent outdoor equipment, so you don’t necessarily need to carry everything from the mainland.

Before fishing, however, check the current local rules and permitted areas.

4. Enjoy an Open-Air Onsen

One of the most memorable experiences for me was enjoying the open-air onsen.

Imagine finishing a day of cycling, hiking, or surfing and then relaxing in a natural outdoor bath.That is one of the things that makes Niijima different from an ordinary beach destination.

The island is known for unique outdoor bathing experiences, including an ocean-view outdoor bath. Make sure to check the latest local rules and opening information before visiting.

5. Explore by Bicycle

For me, renting a bicycle was one of the best decisions I made.I could move around at my own pace.I could stop whenever I saw an interesting place, explore the coastline, visit shops, and move between different areas of the island.

I rented a bicycle for two days for about ¥1,500.If you enjoy independent travel, I highly recommend considering a bicycle rental.

Just remember that even if an island feels small, summer heat can make cycling more tiring than expected. Carry water, use sunscreen, and don’t try to rush around the entire island.

6. Visit the Museum and Discover Local Culture

Niijima isn’t only about beaches and surfing. There are museums and cultural attractions where you can learn more about the island’s history and artistic traditions.

The island is particularly famous for its Niijima glass art and distinctive stone sculptures known as moyai. Taking some time away from the beach helped me understand that Niijima has a cultural side as well as its outdoor attractions.

7. Go for a Short Hike

If you enjoy walking, there are also opportunities for short hikes around the island.

You don’t necessarily need to plan a difficult mountain trek. You can combine a short walk with sightseeing and exploring the natural scenery.

How to Get to Niijima Island

One of the first things to decide when planning a Niijima trip is how you want to travel.

There are three main options:

• ✈️ Airplane
• 🚤 High-speed jet ferry
• ⛴️ Large passenger/overnight ferry

The current official information lists flights from Chofu Airport taking roughly 35 minutes, a high-speed ferry from Takeshiba taking about 2 hours 20 minutes, and a large passenger ship taking around 10 hours 35 minutes. For detail about ferry and time-table

Another Tokyo government source gives a similar picture, describing the jet ferry as about 2 hours 20 minutes and the larger passenger ship as roughly 8 hours 30 minutes depending on the service.

Because travel times and schedules can change, always check the current ferry operator or Niijima tourism information before booking.

Why I Chose the Overnight Ferry

As a budget traveler, I wanted to save money.

I chose the larger overnight ferry rather than the faster jet ferry. My round-trip cost was around ¥17,340.

For me, the longer journey was worth it because I could save money and enjoy the experience of traveling to an island by sea.

If your priority is speed, the jet ferry is the better option. If your priority is saving money and you don’t mind a longer journey, the larger ferry can be worth considering.

Niijima Island Travel Budget

Here is approximately what I spent during my trip:

Expense	Approximate Cost
Overnight ferry round trip	¥17,340
Bicycle rental for 2 days	¥1,500
Food, snacks and restaurants	¥3,000–¥4,000
Surfboard rental	¥1,200 / 3 hours
Approximate total	¥23,040–¥24,040

Prices can also change depending on the season, transportation service, rental shop, and booking conditions.

For a budget traveler, however, Niijima can be managed without spending a huge amount if you plan your transportation and accommodation carefully.

Practical Tips for Visiting Niijima

Book Your Ferry Early

If you are traveling during Golden Week or summer vacation, don’t wait until the last minute. Summer is a popular period for visiting Niijima, and transportation can become busy.

Carry Some Extra Cash

Bring enough cash for small shops, markets, rentals, and other local expenses.Even though Japan is increasingly cashless, smaller island businesses may not always accept every type of electronic payment.

Rent a Bicycle

If you enjoy exploring independently, renting a bicycle is one of the best ways to get around. It gives you more freedom and allows you to stop at places that you might otherwise pass.

Check the Weather Before Camping

This is especially important during summer. Check the weather and ferry conditions before leaving the mainland. Island weather and sea conditions can affect both outdoor activities and transportation.

Don’t Overpack

This is something I learned from my own budget-travel style. Don’t carry things you don’t really need.There are shops on the island where you can rent equipment such as fishing rods, snorkeling equipment, and other outdoor gear.

Carry a Power Bank

If you’re camping and using your phone or camera frequently, electricity may not always be as convenient as it is in a hotel. A power bank can be very useful.

Who Should Visit Niijima?

I think Niijima is particularly suitable for:

• Outdoor lovers
• Beach lovers
• Surfers
• Campers
• Cyclists
• Nature lovers
• Fishing enthusiasts
• Budget travelers
• Travelers who enjoy slow travel
• People looking for a quieter side of Tokyo

If your idea of a vacation is shopping in department stores and visiting famous city attractions, Niijima may not be your first choice.

But if you would rather wake up near a forest, ride a bicycle to the beach, swim, surf, camp, watch the sunset, and relax in an outdoor bath, then Niijima could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Final Thoughts: Is Niijima Worth Visiting?

After my trip, I found Niijima to be one of the best places for a simple outdoor escape. What I liked most was how easy it was to combine different activities in one trip.

I could camp surrounded by green forest, ride a bicycle around the island, spend time at the beach, try surfing, watch people fishing, and relax in an open-air onsen.

I also liked that I didn’t need an expensive itinerary.

As a budget traveler, I chose the slower overnight ferry, rented a bicycle, kept my food expenses reasonable, and focused mostly on free or inexpensive outdoor experiences.

Niijima also reminded me that traveling doesn’t always have to mean visiting as many attractions as possible.

Sometimes the best trips are the ones where you simply slow down. And enjoy being somewhere different.

For me, that was Niijima. If you are planning a summer trip to Japan and want to experience a different side of Tokyo, Niijima Island is definitely worth putting on your travel list.