Hahajima

Hahajima, the second-largest island in the Ogasawara chain, sits 40 kilometers south of Chichijima and is reached only by a two-hour local ferry. A resident population of just a few hundred means the island is quieter and less visited than its neighbor. Subtropical forests contain endemic species including the endangered Hahajima meguro bird, and hiking trails lead to clifftop viewpoints above deep blue Pacific water. The highest point, Mt. Chibusa at 462 meters, gives panoramic ocean views. Snorkeling and diving reveal coral gardens, and the Minami-zaki coastal trail offers some of the most dramatic cliff scenery in Japan's island territories. Plan at least two nights.