Aogashima — the Island Inside a Volcano

Three hundred and sixty kilometres south of Tokyo, alone in the open Pacific, sits a green wall of cliffs that turns out to be the rim of a volcano — and inside that volcano lives a village. Aogashima is the least-populated municipality in Japan, home to around 170 people, and one of the strangest, most beautiful places the country administers.

Why It’s Interesting

The island is a double caldera: a giant volcanic crater with a smaller cone, Mt. Maruyama, rising from its floor. From the Oyama overlook the nested rings look almost artificial. Life here is shaped by the volcano — residents tap its steam vents for cooking and a natural sauna — and by isolation: there’s a single small shop, a school, a handful of B&Bs, and almost no light pollution, which makes the night sky one of the finest in Japan.

Best Time to Visit

Year-round, weather permitting — and that caveat matters. Clear nights are unmatched for stargazing, but the sea is the boss here.

Getting There

There’s no easy way, which is the point. Fly or sail to Hachijojima, then take a small ferry (about 2.5 hours, easily cancelled by swell) or a helicopter (about 20 minutes, and booked out fast). Pad your itinerary with spare days — getting stranded is a genuine possibility.