Tokyo's Niijima Island — The FAR SIDE Wakago
# Tokyo's Niijima Island — The FAR SIDE Wakago
## Overview
In this lively livestream, John Daub takes viewers to the remote Wakago area on the far side of Niijima Island — one of Tokyo's hidden gems accessible by jet foil from the city. Departing from Tokyo, John boards a high-speed jet foil for a scenic three-hour journey across Tokyo Bay and into the Pacific Ocean, where stunning views of Mount Fuji reward early-morning travelers. Upon arriving at Niijima, John bypasses the main town and ventures north through a lengthy tunnel to reach Wakago — a sparsely populated, largely untouched stretch of coastline that few tourists ever experience.
John explores this remote paradise on a rented 50cc motorbike, showcasing pristine beaches, the vast Pacific Ocean, and the incredible solitude that defines this side of the island. He shares practical details about the ferry journey, scooter rental costs, and the free camping opportunities near Niijima Airport. The livestream builds anticipation for an upcoming October video about a three-generation fish processing family business operating since the Edo period — a deep dive into Niijima's culinary heritage. John also announces his participation in a Reuters panel discussion about Tokyo's countryside and islands, scheduled for September 7th.
## Highlights
- [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=1s) Breathtaking Pacific arrival at Niijima Island via jet foil, less than three hours from Tokyo
- [00:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=32s) Discovering Wakago — the remote far side of the island with no ferry terminal and minimal population
- [00:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=48s) Riding through the remarkably long tunnel (approximately 10 minutes) to reach Wakago
- [02:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=126s) Nostalgic reflection on visiting Niijima eight years ago with Kanae, camping under the stars
- [03:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=189s) Revealing a spectacular onsen on the other side of the island with perfect sunset views
- [04:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=252s) Full gear reveal — A7S3 camera, drone, tripod, lenses, 360 camera, lights, and extensive battery supply
- [05:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=317s) Admiring a local fish-themed manhole cover in Wakago
- [05:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=348s) Teasing an October episode about a three-generation Edo-period fish processing family business
- [06:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=410s) Capturing stunning morning views of Mount Fuji and massive cargo ships entering Tokyo Bay
- [07:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=443s) Announcing Reuters panel on September 7th discussing Tokyo's countryside and islands
- [09:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=583s) John marvels at the affordability — less than $70 for the round-trip jet foil journey
## Timeline / Chapters
**00:00 — Opening: Arrival by Jet Foil**
John opens the livestream from the Pacific Ocean near Niijima Island, welcoming viewers to witness this remote Tokyo destination. He describes the efficient three-hour jet foil journey departing from Tokyo, noting the spectacular views of Mount Fuji during the first hour and the transition from Tokyo Bay into open Pacific waters.
**00:32 — Wakago: The Remote Far Side**
John explains that he is in Wakago, the northern and far side of Niijima Island, which lacks a ferry terminal and sees very few visitors. He shares his excitement about exploring this little-known area and mentions the lengthy tunnel (approximately 10 minutes) that connects Wakago to the rest of the island.
**01:04 — Signal Challenges and Population Density**
Acknowledging chat reports of buffering, John admits uncertainty about cellular signal strength in this remote location. He notes the sparse population on this side of the island and estimates it would take 15 minutes to ride back through the tunnel to reach the main town.
**01:35 — Second Visit to Niijima**
John shares that this is his second time visiting Niijima, recalling a memorable trip with Kanae eight years ago before Leo was born. They camped at a free camping site near Niijima Airport and enjoyed an almost entirely empty beach — emphasizing the importance of selecting the right season for island visits.
**02:06 — Island Geography and Free Onsen**
John displays a map of Niijima, pointing out key locations including Habushiura Coast with its seasonal lifeguard, the town of Niijima with its ferry terminal, and Niijima Airport. He highlights a free onsen on the island with spectacular sunset views, promising to visit during the next livestream.
**03:09 — Late Summer Timing**
John notes that summer tourism has effectively ended — schools resume two days after the stream, and the jet foil was mostly empty. He expresses appreciation for the peaceful atmosphere and clear skies that make this an ideal time to visit.
**04:12 — Motorbike and Gear**
John showcases his 50cc rental motorbike and opens his camera bag containing his A7S3 camera, microphone, tripod, drone, prime lenses, 360 camera, lighting equipment, monitor, and extensive batteries. He explains that drones are permitted except near the airport.
**05:18 — Scooter Rental Details**
John provides specific rental information: 5,000 yen for 24 hours, extended until 3 PM the following day for approximately 27 hours total, costing about $36 USD. The scooter's top speed is 35 km/h, which is sufficient for circumnavigating the modest-sized island.
**05:18 — Fish-Themed Manhole Cover**
John spots and examines a local manhole cover featuring fish motifs, connecting to his secret filming project on the island's fish processing industry.
**05:48 — Teasing the October Fish Episode**
John reveals he spent the day filming at a three-generation family fish processing business that has operated since the Edo period — approximately 300 years of tradition. The resulting video, featuring this incredibly local and authentic cuisine, will premiere in early October 2023.
**06:50 — Morning Views and Mount Fuji**
John recalls the spectacular morning views during his jet foil arrival, including clear vistas of Mount Fuji and large liquefied gas tankers and cargo ships entering Tokyo Bay. He emphasizes that early morning is the best time to view Mount Fuji.
**07:24 — Reuters Panel Announcement**
John announces his participation in a Reuters panel discussion on September 7th, organized in collaboration with the Tokyo Convention and Events Bureau. The panel focuses on Tokyo's countryside and islands, with John representing island destinations. Viewers are directed to the link in the description.
**08:35 — Panel Details and Influencer Role**
John clarifies that he is the only YouTuber/influencer on the panel, joined by writers from other travel websites. A moderator will facilitate the discussion, and viewers can submit questions. He expresses enthusiasm for representing Niijima and Ogasawara Islands.
**09:06 — Affordability and Planning Return Visits**
John calculates that the round-trip jet foil costs less than $70 USD and marvels at the incredible value — comparing Niijima favorably to Hawaii. He expresses regret for not visiting more frequently and announces plans to return with Kanae and Leo. He values the peace, quiet, and work-friendly environment.
**10:17 — Promising Tomorrow's Livestream**
John promises to conduct another livestream the following morning between 6 AM and 9 AM from the town side of Niijima, inviting viewers to subscribe and join him for the other side of the island.
**10:47 — Closing and Farewell**
John concludes with aloha greetings, thanks chat participants by name, and lets viewers enjoy the ambient sound of Pacific waves crashing on the beach as the stream ends.
## Japan Travel Tips
- **How to Get There:** Take a jet foil from Tokyo's Takeshiba Terminal (竹芝客船ターミナル) or other designated ports. The journey takes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours. Book in advance during peak seasons.
- **Best Time to Visit:** Late summer (late August through September) offers empty beaches, clear skies, and perfect Mount Fuji viewing conditions. Weekends are slightly busier than weekdays.
- **Cost Breakdown:** Round-trip jet foil: approximately $70 USD. Scooter rental: approximately $36 USD for 27 hours. Accommodations and food costs vary.
- **Island Transportation:** A 50cc motorbike/scooter is ideal for the island's modest size, reaching top speeds of 35 km/h. Cars and larger scooters are also available for rent.
- **Camping:** Free camping is available near Niijima Airport. Bring your own tent and supplies.
- **Drone Policy:** Drones are permitted on the island but prohibited near the airport.
- **Onsen Etiquette:** A free onsen on the island offers spectacular sunset views. Follow standard onsen rules — wash before entering, no swimsuits.
- **Beach Safety:** Habushiura Coast has seasonal lifeguards. Check conditions in advance before swimming.
- **Mount Fuji Viewing:** Early morning (during the jet foil journey) provides the clearest Mount Fuji views due to atmospheric conditions.
- **Travel Off-Peak:** Consider visiting right after summer holidays end when beaches and ferries are nearly empty.
## Japanese Language & Culture Notes
- **Manhole Covers (*Madowo*):** Japan features unique manhole covers in every municipality, often depicting local symbols, history, or industries. John spots a fish-themed manhole in Wakago reflecting Niijima's fishing heritage.
- **Island Culture:** Tokyo's Izu Islands (*Izu-shotō*) are often called "Tokyo's Hawaii" — accessible escapes offering beach life, nature, and rural Japanese charm without leaving the metropolis.
- **Family Businesses (*Kigyō*):** Niijima maintains traditional family enterprises, including fish processing businesses operating continuously for centuries. The three-generation shop John filmed dates to the Edo period (*Edo-jidai*, 1603–1868).
- **Tunnel Infrastructure:** Wakago is accessible only through a lengthy tunnel — a significant engineering investment for a small population, reflecting Japan's commitment to infrastructure accessibility even in remote areas.
- **Countryside Revival:** Tokyo actively promotes its rural areas and islands through events like the Reuters panel, seeking to attract residents and tourists to underpopulated regions.
- **Head Wrap Culture (*Hachimaki*):** John wears a head wrap, a practical sun protection item common in Japanese fishing and agricultural communities.
## Food & Drink Guide
- **Traditional Fish Processing Cuisine:** John spent the day filming at a three-generation family business producing a traditional fish-based food item dating to the Edo period (~300 years). The specific dish remains a mystery until the October 2023 episode release. Based on the region and timeframe, it likely relates to preserved fish (*narezushi*, *sardine preparations*, or local specialty *sardine cakes/arangia*).
- **Recommendation:** Wait for John's October 2023 episode to learn about this unique Niijima food tradition and the family behind it.
## People
- **John Daub:** Host and creator of Only in Japan Go. American who has lived in Japan for over 30 years. Passionate about Tokyo's islands, countryside, and hidden local businesses. He filmed this livestream solo, handling all camera work and hosting simultaneously.
- **Kanae Daub:** John's Japanese wife. Mentioned in his nostalgic recollection of their first visit to Niijima eight years ago, before their son Leo was born. John plans to return with both Kanae and Leo.
- **Leo:** John and Kanae's son. Mentioned as part of future family plans to revisit Niijima.
- **Peter von Gomm:** John's American friend living in Japan. Mentioned by a viewer (Peso) in the chat.
- **Chat Participants:** The livestream engaged active viewers including Peso, Saya, Michael, Ramsey, Jeffrey, B.S. Fatboy Long, Jared, Nightbot, and others who contributed comments and encouragement throughout the stream.
## Key Takeaways
1. **Tokyo Islands Offer Tropical Escapes:** Niijima Island provides a Hawaii-like experience within Tokyo, accessible in under three hours for less than $70 round-trip.
2. **Remote Areas Are Worth Exploring:** Wakago represents the "road less traveled" in Tokyo — peaceful, uncrowded, and authentically local.
3. **Timing Matters for Island Visits:** Visiting immediately after summer vacation ends (late August/early September) means empty beaches and serene conditions.
4. **Local Businesses Have Deep Roots:** Three-generation family enterprises operating for centuries represent the authentic heart of Japanese island life.
5. **Early Mornings Reward Early Risers:** Mount Fuji is best viewed during morning jet foil crossings — worth waking up early.
6. **Solo Travel and Remote Work:** Niijima offers a quiet, inspiring environment for getting work done away from city distractions.
7. **Japan's Islands Deserve More Attention:** With proper infrastructure (tunnels, ferries, airports), these remote destinations remain accessible yet untouched by mass tourism.
## Notable Quotes
- [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=1s) "Greetings from the mighty Pacific. This is Tokyo. This is Niijima. This is one of the amazing islands that you can catch by jet foil."
- [00:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=32s) "That's not where we are. We're in the Pacific."
- [00:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=48s) "That tunnel took, like, 10 minutes to go through. It's got to be like one of the longest tunnels in the world."
- [02:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=126s) "There's something magical about it."
- [03:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=220s) "Summer's over. September 23rd for any kind of tourism or travel. It's like people back to work the day after tomorrow."
- [05:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=348s) "This is a three-generation family business. And they've been making this since the Edo period. So we're talking 300 plus years."
- [06:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=378s) "I really just wanted to share with you a piece of this town that nobody probably will ever show you."
- [06:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=410s) "You could see Mount Fuji and it's like now we're going away from it, out into the sea."
- [09:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=583s) "Why haven't I come here more? I'm kicking myself."
- [09:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3geTGOAdUFQ&t=583s) "It's less than $70 for a three-hour jet foil to get here. Can you believe that? And you're in a place that's like Hawaii."
## Related Topics
- Ogasawara Islands — another Tokyo island chain John has visited
- Tokyo's Izu Islands — general coverage of Tokyo's island destinations
- Jet foil travel in Japan — transportation tips and experiences
- Japanese island life and countryside travel
- Traditional Japanese food preservation techniques
- Japanese manhole cover art and local pride
- Solo travel and remote work in Japan
- Mount Fuji viewing locations and timing
## Search Tags
#only-in-japan-go #niijima #niijima-island #wakago #tokyo-islands #izu-islands #jetfoil #island-hopping #tokyo-travel #pacific-ocean #mount-fuji #motorbike #scooter #japan-island #remote-japan #countryside-japan #beach-japan #habushiura #live-stream #2023 #scooter-rental #tokyo-countryside #off-the-beaten-path-japan #solo-travel-japan
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Full Transcript
00:01 John Daub: Greetings from the mighty Pacific. This is Tokyo. This is Niijima. This is one of the amazing islands that you can catch by jet foil. It's only about less than three hours to get here. It's a very easy ride. You're going pretty quick. You get to see Mount Fuji for an hour of it as you cruise through Tokyo Bay, out into the Pacific, and this is what you are blessed with. So this is where we are. You can see Tokyo right there.
00:32 John Daub: That's not where we are. We're in the Pacific. Check it out. Niijima's right there. And we're on the top part of the — where there's no ferry terminal here. This is Wakago, and not a lot of people come to Wakago. I gotta be honest with you. I've never been through the tunnel. That tunnel took, like, 10 minutes to go through. It's got to be like one of the longest tunnels in the world. I might be exaggerating, but it didn't feel like it.
01:04 John Daub: There's not a very big population on this side of the island. And I was just curious. And through this live stream — there. All right. It says here — so a lot of people are telling me that the live stream is buffering. I apologize. I didn't know how good the signal was out here. But we're really on a — we're really in a remote spot. Going to take me 15 minutes to ride back through the tunnel to get back to town.
01:35 John Daub: Now, if this live stream is a disaster, then I'm going to have to go back and do it again from another point. I don't know. But I always like to share with you some of the things that I — some of the places that I go and when I travel. This is one of the places Niijima island is. This is my second time here. It's not a place that I've gone to quite a bit. I'll show you the map one more time. I haven't been here too many times.
02:06 John Daub: This is my second time. I came here with Kanae about eight years ago, before Leo, and we had a really great night. We camped. There's a free camping spot near the airport. You can set up a tent. But we came in the — for us, it was empty. We were the only customers there. So you have to pick your season. The weekends are a little bit better than the weekdays, but then it's crowded on those days, so there's something magical about it.
02:38 John Daub: But that free onsen — there's the airport and Habushiura coast on the left side, which is so beautiful. Not there's a lifeguard there some of the time, so you might want to check in advance. There's the town of Niijima, and the ferry terminal is up here. Just to show you again, I'm — I'm now riding back in town, and I'm going to be filming for the main channel, but if I get a chance, I'll try to go live and share with you the other side.
03:09 John Daub: The onsen there is so spectacular, and the sunset is on that side. Actually, it's right there. And so I got a boogie and get to the other side of the island and get some of those shots. Maybe even get into the onsen. There's not a lot of tourists here. It's pretty — pretty much summer's over. I did the live stream just a couple of days ago. I know people are telling me summer's over in September 23rd for any kind of tourism or travel.
03:41 John Daub: It's like people back to work the day after tomorrow. All the kids go back to school, so they're all getting ready. And it's pretty quiet out there. Even the jet foil was mostly empty. So I have to tell you, I'm liking it. I'm liking this part of it. Let me just pan around here from Wakago. I don't think any of you ever got to cover this area, but if you do, you're going to be blessed with nobody. You got the whole place to yourself.
04:12 John Daub: There's even a toilet and a shower if you want to go swimming and then wash off later. You know, it's — it's really incredible. That's the Pacific. And there's my motorbike here. It's a 50cc. I haven't ridden one of these since Ogasawara about five years ago, if you guys remember that episode. And this is my bag with all the camera gear in there. I came stocked here. You can fly a drone in this part, but you can't fly it near the airport.
04:44 John Daub: You can see I have my A7S3 microphone tripod. There's — the drone is inside this bag. On the top. A light, some lenses, some primes, a 360 camera here, some poles. There's another light. And this is the monitor. So I get a ton of batteries in here. It's a good bag. It's a good bag. Any questions? It's not as hot as it seems. The humidity has really gone down. The scooter was 5,000 yen for 24 hours. But I had them extended to 3pm because that's when the ferry I'm taking.
05:18 John Daub: So I got it for like 27 hours — kind of negotiation. That's about $36 a day for the scooter. Top speed, 35 kilometers an hour. But it's not that big of an island so it's not important to go as fast as you can. Manhole cover. Hola, manhole. It's a nice one. It's very fishy. And that's why I'm here. I'm actually here because I'm making an episode on fish and you'll discover it probably in October — I'll upload this video.
05:48 John Daub: But it's gonna be — it's gonna be a pretty interesting episode. I spent the day watching them process the fish here. I'm somebody a big believer of local businesses and this is as local as it gets. It's a three-generation family business. And you know this what they've been making — they've been making since the Edo period. So we're talking 300 plus years. So it's a — it's a cuisine. Maybe you can guess. It does sound fishy.
06:19 John Daub: It smells fishy too. Maybe you can guess what the food is. But it's going to be a pretty awesome episode. Probably coming in the beginning of October. Anyways, I better get back on the bike. I really just wanted to share with you a piece of this town that nobody probably will ever show you. No one will ever show you. But you know, I — I just thought it was such an amazing, amazing trip up here. And I — I showed this on Instagram Stories.
06:50 John Daub: But you could see Mount Fuji and it — it's like now we're going away from it, out into the sea. But it was just so, so pretty because of the clear skies in the morning. And that's the best time to see Mount Fuji. You got to wake up early for that. And you can see we — I saw some oil, some liquefied gas tankers and all these other big, big ships coming into Tokyo to service that. So it was a really nice trip in. And that's the advantage of the countryside by the way.
07:24 John Daub: I'm gonna put a link in the description and I'll pin it to the top of the comments. I'm doing a panel for a news agency called Reuters. Have you guys ever heard of Reuters? I guess it's an old news agency, I'm not sure. But I'm gonna be doing a panel on September 7th and you guys can join for free. I'll put the link there. And there's a — three other people talking about the countryside of Tokyo and I'm talking in particular the islands and the mountains because I love it and I've been to all of these places.
08:01 John Daub: Daniel knows Reuters. Reuters. I guess that's what it's called. Thank you. Peso has just put it in there. Thank you, Peso. Yeah. That will take you to the link. And I think you have to sign up to join, which, you know, I don't understand. So because I'm somebody who pushes a button, goes live. But this live stream is brought to you by Tokyo Convention and Events Bureau. So the city of Tokyo is working with Reuters and they asked me to be on the panel and I said yes.
08:35 John Daub: So I hope that you guys can join for this because I think it'll be really cool to do that and you can ask questions of me in an official setting. We have a moderator and all that. I don't think the other people are influencers or YouTubers. So the other people are writers for some of the other websites. So I'm the only — is it still very much a thing, is it? I don't know. I don't — I actually don't, you know, get off the grid. Look at Reuters. I think AP and Reuters. I think — yeah. But I'm happy to be a part of the panel and I'll be talking about places like this, Ogasawara in particular because it's one of my — one of my passions, the islands.
09:06 John Daub: I love this place. I'm gonna be back with Kanae and Leo. It's just — it's so close. It's less than — it's less than $70 for a three-hour jet foil to get here. Can you believe that? And you're in a place that's like Hawaii and then you can rent a motorbike and ride around the highways. The roads are pretty much empty. It's — and that's why — why haven't — why have not I come here more? Why have I not come here more? I'm kicking myself. I could come here and just get work done. It's so quiet and peaceful. I'm gonna have to do that. Consider it done.
09:43 John Daub: All right, thanks for watching. This is Wakago, the Far side. Tomorrow morning I'll have some time between 6am and 9am to do a live stream and I'll bring you into the other side, the town of Niijima. So make sure you click that subscribe button and join me when I go live on the other side. Now I have to go through that tunnel. Really long tunnel. Hey, Michael says, "I know this does not look like Hawaii." I'm shouting because I can. Look at this. This is the head wrap. I think it's from Aomori, but it's very fishy, so I thought this would fit with my theme. I don't want to burn my head. It's very easy. Burn my head off.
10:47 John Daub: All right, everybody. Aloha. Thank you, Michael, and I'll see you — hey, Ramsey. Silence here. Hey, who else is in here? B.S. Fatboy Long. See? No time. Yeah, Jeffrey's here. Saya. How you doing, Saya? No spam here, Saya. Jared, Peso, Nightbot, S.D.A. — thanks, guys. Enjoy last couple seconds of just the sound of cool waves crashing on the beach.