Although the bright lights of Japan’s cities draw most travelers, the country’s natural beauty spreads far from the cosmopolitan centers to remote islands and passing archipelagos. And it is in the southern parts of Japan that water enthusiasts can find three of the most spectacular and remote places. The Ogasawara Islands stand alone in the churning Pacific Ocean, 1,000 kilometers south of central Tokyo, while Yakushima and Okinawa, part of Japan’s southwestern archipelago, straddle the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea. Although small, these islands are rich in heritage and history, with remote rural communities and unique natural environments. Their landscapes, characterized by dramatic mountains and dense, dripping forests that hide endemic wildlife, often overshadow their subtropical seas, which bustle and crackle with life. Head to these three distinctive destinations to dive into tunnels and caves and encounter migrating cetaceans, nesting sea turtles and more.
The Ogasawara Islands
The Ogasawara Islands are a startling green splash in an impenetrable flood of Pacific blue. Their isolation has created an uncontaminated ecosystem of rare fauna and flora, which was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2011 thanks to the evidence it provides of the evolutionary process. The island’s spectacular forests, peaks and beaches are volcanic and visually captivating, dropping into reef-rich seas.
Although it is home to many tropical fish, such as spectacular wrought-iron butterflyfish, the stars of Ogasawara are pelagic and cetacean species, which can be seen at many dive sites across the islands. Spot sand tiger sharks at Shikahama, rays at the sandy Nishijima Oiwa beach, or manta rays and hammerhead sharks at Takoiwa Rock. Yome Island is home to summer-accessible Tuna Cave, home to turtles and dogtooth tuna, while spinner and bottlenose dolphins soar above and below the waves at nearby Jack Point.
Migrating humpback whales gather in the surf between February and April, while the resident sperm whales are best seen in August and September. With its strong currents and wartime shipwrecks, Ogasawara is an expert’s paradise – and there are many easier dives too. Diving can be done all year round, but summer is the best season for this activity in terms of accessibility. Winter and spring are the best seasons for whale watching, while the sea is clear and warm in autumn, ripe for dolphin spotting.
To reach Ogasawara, you must travel slowly. The 24 hour Ogasawara-maru ferry trips from Tokyo Takeshiba to Chichijima weekly, or every three to four days in summer. Of Ogasawara’s more than thirty islands, only two are inhabited. For a relaxing stay on the main island, Chichijima, choose the attractive eco-resort Heart Rock Village, or the scenic Papa’s Island Resort.
Yakushima
Located on the southwestern edge of mainland Japan, Yakushima is known for its forests full of ancient cedars, moss and folktales. One of the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage inscriptions in 1993, Yakushima charms visitors with its peaceful seaside villages and unparalleled hiking opportunities. However, the island is also a local secret when it comes to diving, with the Kuroshio Current bringing warm, clear waters with a wide variety of marine life. The waters are home to flying fish (which also appear on many menus), as well as loggerhead and green turtles that lay eggs in the summer.
Although there are some caves in the south, the best diving spots are on the northwest coast, at Isso and Nagata, where there is a shallow coral reef for beginners to explore and fascinating sites that can capture the attention of experts. Divers can see the wreckage of a wartime Japanese Zero fighter plane; only the propeller blade protrudes from the white sand, where corals have nested, bringing with them moray eels and busy schools of fish. Omiyamae is home to a wealth of turtles, hammerhead sharks, sailfish and macro nudibranchs, while the sea fans of Otsuse hide the incredible pygmy seahorse. Diving is possible all year round, although the water cools down in winter.
To get there, visitors can take a four-hour ferry or a faster jetfoil (just under two hours) from Kagoshima, or fly from Kagoshima, Fukuoka or Osaka. Once on the island, it is best to rent a car and be sure to book early. Yakushima offers luxury resorts such as Sankara, as well as traditional, locally owned guesthouses such as Yakusugirou Shichifuku.
Okinawa
Spindly Okinawa Honto (Okinawa’s main island), about 1,500 kilometers from central Tokyo, combines modernity with native island traditions. In 2021, the wild northern region of Yanbaru was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, joining three southwestern island areas: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima and Iriomote. Although Yanbaru earned its inscription for its endemic creatures such as the Okinawa rail and the spiny rat, the area is also known for its deep forests, sacred spaces, and incredible coastline.
The warm Kuroshio Current creates life-rich reefs and makes diving possible all year round, with some excellent sites for intermediate and experienced divers. At Cape Hedo, the island’s northern tip, deep water and powerful currents nurture diverse marine life, including giant corals, barracudas, rays, turtles, pygmy seahorses and lionfish. These swirling waters have also formed gorges, arches and the infamous Hedo Dome – a large cliff cavern that can only be accessed underwater. A challenging dive, Hedo Dome includes impressive stalactites, chambers and tunnel networks. It is 100 meters long in the southwest of Yanbaru USS Emmons shipwreck; the ship sank in 1945 and remained undiscovered until 2001. This wreck dive is advanced, with strong currents and depths of 41 meters.
The rest of Okinawa and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed peers also offer great diving. Migrating humpback whales stalk islands like Tokunoshima from January to April; A must-see for macro enthusiasts, Amami Oshima is a sea snail paradise, also home to white-spotted pufferfish and rainbow wrasse; while pelagic fish such as giant trevally, barracuda and dogtooth tuna live in the waters around southern Iriomote.
To reach Yanbaru, fly into Okinawa’s Naha Airport and rent a car. Stay at Treeful Treehouse Sustainable Resort, which offers a selection of luxury treehouses built into the forest. Relax by the sea at Okuma Private Beach & Resort, or in the lush surroundings of the private villas of Yanbaru Hotel, located in Kunigami Village.
This paid content article was created for the World Natural Heritage Site in Japan. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveler (UK) or their editors.
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