DIFFICULY
★☆☆☆☆
One night, two days
2–10 people
From
From ¥197,000 (tax included)
ホエールウオッチング, 島しょ
OVERVIEW
[A Volcanic Island Adventure: Following the Earth’s Pulse]
■The Setting:
Two Volcanoes Floating in the Sea—Just 55 Minutes from Haneda.
Hachijojima, where we land, is truly a “mountain floating in the sea,” formed by the eruption and uplift of undersea volcanoes.
The island consists of two massive peaks, Hachijo-Fuji and Mount Mihara, where black lava formations and steep sea cliffs bear witness to the dynamic processes of the Earth on a grand scale.
And in winter, the Kuroshio Current surrounding the island transforms into a “marine corridor” through which large marine mammals migrate.
■Chapter 1:
The Launch of the “Expedition Team” to Stimulate Intellectual Curiosity The journey doesn’t simply begin by waiting for whales.
First, at the visitor center, we delve deeply into the island’s formation and the whales’ migration routes.
During a “strategy meeting” with maps spread out, you’ll formulate your own hypotheses about where whales might appear based on the terrain and ocean currents, then head out to the coastline with binoculars in hand.
Participants have remarked that “the thrill of searching for whales was more exciting than a video game”—the real highlight of this journey is the active process of interpreting nature for yourself.
■Chapter 2:
Surrendering Body and Mind to the Bounty of the Volcano Between research sessions, we experience the unique “scenes of daily life” found only on a volcanic island.
At “Miharashi no Yu,” overlooking the sea, we soak in the warmth of spring water heated by geothermal energy deep underground while enjoying the spectacular view.
At night, we feast on dishes made with the island’s abundant local ingredients and gaze up at a sky full of stars, preserved by an environment with minimal artificial light.
All of these are gifts from nature that have sustained life on this harsh volcanic island.
■Chapter 3:
Surveying the Landscape from the Summit and Taking on the Open Sea
On the second day, the research team aims for even greater heights.
Climbing to the summit of Mount Hachijo-Fuji, they take in the full panorama of the massive volcano upon which they stand.
After gazing out from the mountain to the sea and grasping the interconnectedness of nature in three dimensions, they finally board a fishing boat for an oceanographic survey cruise.
The moment they observe whales’ spouts and dynamic behavior up close from the deck, they will be convinced that this island is at the forefront of “Earth’s drama.”
■Conclusion:
Memories of the interconnected “sea, mountains, and sky” This two-day experience goes far beyond mere wildlife observation.
By walking on your own, searching for whales, savoring the experience, and immersing yourself in it, you’ll reaffirm your place within the vast cycle of the Earth’s environment—comprising volcanic islands, the Kuroshio Current, and whales. It is a story of discovering a new version of yourself.
Set on Hachijojima, this two-day, one-night “Expedition” tour lets you experience the Earth’s pulse—born of volcanoes—and the breath of whales.
Through panoramic views from Mount Hachijo-Fuji and exploration in the waters where the Kuroshio Current flows, you’ll use all five senses to unravel the connection between the island’s topography and its ecosystem.
Rather than simply observing, the active process of formulating your own hypotheses and searching for whales provides a thrilling sense of adventure.
Immerse yourself deeply in the drama of this volcanic island—a “mountain floating in the sea”—while enjoying spectacular hot springs and local island cuisine.
HIGHLIGHTS
“The Joy of Searching and Discovering for Yourself”—An Active Whale-Watching Experience as a Research Team
This tour is more than just a sightseeing trip to watch whales. As members of a “research team,” participants undergo a pre-tour briefing at the visitor center and then, armed with a map, formulate their own hypotheses about “where whales are likely to appear.”
The process of using binoculars from the shoreline to read the sea conditions and search for spouts is highly praised for its game-like thrill. This is an intellectual adventure where you’ll enjoy not just the chance to see whales, but the “search process” itself.
“Experience the Drama of the Earth”—Discover the Full Scope of a Volcanic Island Through a Hike Up Mount Hachijo-Fuji and a Marine Cruise
Hachijojima is essentially “a mountain itself,” with two volcanoes rising from the sea. On this tour, you’ll gain a sense of standing atop a massive volcano by overlooking the entire island from the summit of Mount Hachijo-Fuji. In the afternoon, you’ll search for whales from the deck of a boat, experiencing the “marine corridor” created by the interplay of volcanic terrain and the Kuroshio Current.
Through the dynamic landscape where mountain, sea, and sky merge as one, you can perceive the workings of nature on a global scale with all five senses.
"Immerse yourself in the blessings of a volcanic island"—a healing experience woven from breathtaking hot springs, island cuisine, and a sky full of stars
One of the highlights of this tour is deeply experiencing the island culture that coexists with the harsh natural environment. Enjoy a spectacular bath in "Miharashi no Yu," a product of volcanic activity, and savor island cuisine featuring abundant seafood from the Kuroshio Current and local vegetables, absorbing the bounty of the land into your body.
At night, gaze upon the winter sky full of stars in an environment with minimal artificial light, and spend a truly fulfilling time, rediscovering the value of nature in the tranquility.
ITINERARY
■Day 1: The Formation of a Volcanic Island and a Whale-Watching Expedition
06:00
Meet at Haneda Airport Terminal 2
Check-in, briefing, and review of safety guidelines.
07:30
Travel (Depart Haneda ~ Arrive at Hachijojima at 08:30) We’ll take a scheduled flight to the island.
09:00
Fieldwork 1: Hachijojima Visitor Center Through whale videos and exhibition explanations, we will learn about the island’s volcanic origins and whale migration routes.
10:30
Strategy Meeting Using maps, we will hypothesize “potential whale sighting spots” and share our survey plan.
11:30
Lunch Enjoy a lunch of local island cuisine at a local restaurant.
1:00 PM
Fieldwork 2: Whale Survey Along the Coastline Using binoculars, we’ll scan the coastline, interpreting the terrain and the influence of the Kuroshio Current to look for whale spouts and tail fins.
3:30 PM
Activity 1: Scenic Hot Spring “Miharashi-no-Yu” Experience the hot spring culture of a volcanic island. Deepen your understanding of the relationship between hot springs, spring water, and geothermal energy through hands-on experience.
5:00 PM
Transportation and Shopping: We’ll purchase ingredients for dinner and the next day, then head to our lodging.
6:30 PM
Dinner: At our lodging, we’ll savor the island’s bounty, including seafood and local vegetables.
8:00 PM
Activity 2: Stargazing Tour: This nighttime fieldwork allows us to appreciate the value of preserving natural environments and light pollution through winter stargazing.
9:00 PM
Debriefing We’ll share the day’s findings and review the plan for the next day.
■Day 2: Survey Cruise Overlooking the Sea and Land
7:00 AM
Breakfast We’ll have breakfast at the lodge.
8:30 AM
Travel We’ll head to the trailhead for Mount Hachijo-Fuji.
09:00
Activity 3: Hike up Mount Hachijo-Fuji We’ll hike while observing volcanic terrain and vegetation, and by overlooking the entire island from the summit, we’ll experience firsthand what it means to be on a “giant volcanic island.”
11:30
Descent and Break We’ll rest and conserve our energy in preparation for the afternoon cruise.
12:00
Lunch
Participants will have lunch on their own at restaurants or other eateries on the island.
13:00
Activity 4: Marine Research Cruise on a Whaling Vessel We will observe whale behavior from the boat and conduct a simple survey to record population numbers and locations.
15:30
Debriefing We will compile and share the results of the two-day survey.
4:00 PM
Transfer: We will head to the airport, where you can purchase souvenirs and other items.
5:30 PM
Transfer and Dismissal (Departure from Hachijojima ~ Arrival at Haneda Airport by 6:30 PM) The program concludes upon arrival at Haneda Airport.
DETAILS
■1. Clothing
To cope with the winter sea breeze and the bitter cold at the summit, please prepare your clothing based on the principle of layering.
・Warm clothing: You will need sturdy cold-weather gear (such as a down jacket or windbreaker) capable of withstanding the winter sea breeze and the cold at the summit of Mount Hachijo-Fuji.
・Sturdy, non-slip walking shoes: The program includes hiking up Mt. Hachijo-Fuji and walking surveys along the coastline.
Since the hiking trails have slippery sections, please wear sturdy shoes such as hiking boots.
・Waterproof and windproof outerwear: As Hachijo Island experiences strong winds and rough waves in winter, highly windproof and waterproof clothing is recommended.
■2. What to Bring
・Binoculars: Used to spot whale spouts and tail fins from the coastline or aboard a boat.
・Motion sickness medication: An ocean research cruise aboard a whaling boat is included. As the boat is susceptible to waves, we strongly recommend taking medication in advance.
・Rain Gear: Please bring rainwear to prepare for sudden weather changes in the mountains and sea spray.
・Change of Clothes and Towel: There will be a bathing experience at the scenic hot spring “Miharashi-no-Yu.”
■3. Important Notes: To ensure a safe and meaningful expedition, please keep the following points in mind.
・Health Management and Seasickness Prevention: In preparation for the ocean cruise, please get plenty of sleep the night before and adjust your diet and fluid intake on the day of the tour.
・Safety Compliance: Please strictly follow the guide’s instructions and safety rules, such as watching your step while climbing Mt. Hachijo-Fuji and wearing a life jacket on board.
・Changes Due to Weather: Depending on weather conditions such as high waves or strong winds, coastal activities or the cruise may be canceled and replaced with an alternative program.
・Whale-watching etiquette: Out of respect for wildlife, we conduct our observations in accordance with established rules and maintain a safe distance.
・Active participation: This tour focuses not only on seeing whales but also on learning about the process of searching for them and our connection to nature.
Even if whales are not spotted, please enjoy alternative exploration themes such as observing seabirds or the sea conditions.
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