Access
One of the great things about Kozushima is how easy it is to get there—3 hours 45 minutes by jet boat or only 45 minutes by plane! You can also be a romantic and take an overnight ferry to truly savor the journey. Of course, getting there is only half the fun—you need to find your way around the island itself. Check our guide to figure out the best way to reach Kozushima and navigate it during your stay.
Getting to the Island
You can get to Kozushima via plane, large passenger ferry, or hi-speed jet ferry. While your only option by plane is from Tokyo, there are also ports in Takeshiba, Tokyo and Shimoda (Shizuoka Prefecture) that offer alternative means of transportation multiple times throughout the week.
Large Passenger Ferry
There is a ferry that departs Tokyo almost every evening at 22:00. Depending on the type of room you reserve, round trip fare to Kozushima can cost anywhere from 12,060 to 33,780 yen. Carry-on items and any baggage with measurements that do not exceed a total of 120cm (length + height + width) or a total weight of 20 kilograms, are free of charge.
Please note that depending on the day, the ferry may either arrive at Kozushima Port or Tako Bay. Please be sure to arrange any pick-up services accordingly with the owner of the place you will be staying, or plan to arrive at either port.
For more details on baggage restrictions, please refer to the following website:
https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/en/baggage/largeship/
Time and fare tables
Hi-Speed Jet Ferry
In addition to large passenger ferries, you can also take something called a hi-speed jet ferry. These jet ferries depart from either Tokyo (often at 8:30 and 8:50 in the morning) or Kurihama, Kanagawa Prefecture:
Tokyo (Takeshiba) ~ Kozushima—approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes
Unlike the large passenger ferry, these are not necessarily available to take every day. In fact, the schedule can vary depending on the week, and even the month, so we advise you to check the official website for more details: https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/en/time_price/guide/
For more terminal information, please refer to the following website: https://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/en/boarding/terminal/
Plane
There are two to three flights to and from the island daily. Round trip flights cost 26,100 yen, and all flights need to be reserved via phone. Five kilograms worth of baggage is allowed per person, with an additional charge of 260 yen per every kilogram thereafter. Please note that you must be checked in no later than 30 minutes prior to takeoff.
For more information, please refer to the New Central Airservice website:
https://www.central-air.co.jp/en/index.html
Getting around the Island
While Kozushima is among the smaller islands in the Izu Archipelago, it has plenty of winding mountain roads and some parts of the island are not very easily accessible. While inside the Kozushima Village proper, you can get pretty much anywhere on foot. Going anywhere outside the village might require some planning. It’s always good to check with the owner of the place you’re staying at if they offer sougei, or pick-up and drop-off services. Some of them might only be able to pick you up from the port or the airport, others might be able to drive you to the start of a hiking trail if you ask them in advance. In most cases, however, you’ll need to traverse the island on your own, so here are some helpful tips to help you navigate Kozushima without unnecessary hassle.
On Foot
You can reasonably walk to some parts of the island, as long as you’re willing to put in the time and effort and you don’t mind a bit of a trek—most of the roads on Kozushima have a pretty steep incline. Please keep in mind that most of the roads outside the village don’t have a sidewalk, so watch out for passing cars. Major roads are lit at night, but it might be a good idea to have a flashlight and some reflective vests handy if you plan to walk home after dark.
Bus
The bus is the only public transport on the island. Tickets are ¥200 for adults and ¥100 for minors, and children under 6 years of age can ride for free. Please note that the buses are few and far between, so plan your day in advance to take full advantage of them. The schedule depends on the season, but generally, there are no buses after 5 pm. Buses run on three main routes:
Taxi
Two taxi companies operate on the island: Kozushima Kotsu and Toshima Taxi. Please note that you can only arrange for a taxi over the phone and they don’t circle around the island unless summoned. Unlike in the city where you can call a taxi whenever you want, on Kozushima it’s best if you plan your trip and call in advance so the driver can adjust their plans accordingly.
Bicycle & Scooter Rental
You can rent a bicycle (1000 yen for two hours) or a gas-powered scooter (2300 yen for two hours) at Kozushima Auto Service. You need a Japanese or international license for the scooters, and they need to be returned before closing time. There are only 40 bicycles and 40 scooters in total.
MoreCar Rental
Ailana (which also operates as a restaurant) offers car rentals. They only have two BMW Minis (¥10,000 for one day) and one Nissan Note (¥8,000 per day) available, so you best make a reservation much in advance. They accept reservations via Travel Road (see the link below). Please note that in case there’s any damage to the car upon return, you might be charged non-operation charges for repair. Please check the company policy before renting a car.
