Brother Island (Ani-jima)

Name: Brother Island (Ani-jima)
Address: Anijima Island, Anijima Chichijima, Ogasawara, Tokyo 100-2101, Japan
Rating: 4.3

4.3 Natural FeatureEstablishment

Brother Island, known as Ani-jima in Japanese, forms part of the Chichijima Group within the Bonin Islands (Ogasawara Islands), a UNESCO World Heritage Site located approximately 1,000 kilometers southeast of Tokyo. The island belongs to a volcanic archipelago of over 30 subtropical and tropical islands that has never been connected to a continent, earning the region the nickname "The Galápagos of the Orient."

The Ogasawara Islands were discovered in 1593 by Ogasawara Sadayori, who claimed them for the Tokugawa Shogunate, though they remained largely uninhabited until 1830. During World War II, the Bonin Islands became the site of fierce battles, and many of the smaller islands, including Ani-jima, played strategic roles in Pacific military operations.

The island holds particular significance for its pristine marine ecosystem and endemic species that have evolved in isolation over millions of years. Because the Ogasawara Islands have never been connected to a continent, many of their animals and plants have undergone unique evolutionary processes, contributing to their designation as a natural World Heritage Site in 2011. The surrounding waters are home to diverse marine life, including areas where giant squid have been photographed and filmed in their natural habitat.

Visitors to the Ogasawara region must travel via the Ogasawara Maru, a weekly ferry service that departs from Tokyo's Takeshiba Pier. The islands have no airports and can only be reached by ship, with the liner departing almost once weekly. The journey takes approximately 25 hours to reach the inhabited islands of Chichijima and Hahajima, from where organized tours to permitted areas may be arranged. All visits require advance planning and adherence to strict environmental guidelines established by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Ministry of the Environment.

Access to Brother Island is severely restricted and the island is generally off-limits to tourists to protect its fragile ecosystem. Camping and off-trail hiking are strictly prohibited throughout the islands, and environmental protection measures are strictly enforced. Access to sensitive areas is limited to 100 visitors at a time, and then only with a certified local guide.

The area

Address

Anijima Island, Anijima Chichijima, Ogasawara, Tokyo 100-2101, Japan

What other travelers are saying about Brother Island (Ani-jima)

Also an island to visit sailing to Japan one day on SOL.

Pierre Serck-Hanssen

Jan 6, 2023

It is a former inhabited remote island. If you are accompanied by a guide, you can swim with dolphins in the waters of Anijima. June is the best season. I was able to participate in the morning of the last day of the Iwo Jima 3 Islands Cruise in June. If you are going to combine this with the Iwo Jima 3 Islands Cruise in the future, please use this as a reference for adjusting your schedule. The female staff was polite, but the captain (male) assumed that the guests could not swim and said "If you can't swim, don't jump in," wasting the guide fee. I lost the first of my two chances because of the captain. There are several tour companies. I also have a diving license. Since I am disabled, my movements may differ from those of ordinary people. It seemed that the older generation lacked understanding of disabled people on Chichijima (the female staff was young, in their 20s, and had common sense. She even talked back to the captain).

the traveler wolf

Jun 17, 2025

Last year, I missed the deadline for applications and was unable to participate in the Anijima inspection tour. Looking back, someone raised the flag for an airport on Anijima, which sparked a movement to protect the island's precious ecosystem, leading to its inscription as a World Heritage Site. This might be considered the origin of the Ogasawara Islands as they are today. Unlike ordinary mountain hikes, I walked carefully, following the lead of a guide. I felt deeply that this island is being carefully protected, or rather, that it must be protected. The eradication of green anoles and rats is pessimistic, but keep it up! However, while I was on Iwakami Highlands, a Google message urging me to post photos of Chichijima and VERA seemed out of place. I was surprised to receive a call from Tokyo, too. At the end of June, I visited the Forestry Agency and was invited to visit Anijima next year. The devil will laugh at me.