What other travelers are saying about Ogasawara World Heritage Center
This place have been created after chichi-jima island and the other island that surrounds it got selected for the UNESCO National Natural Heritage back in 2015. There is a good explanation of Ogasawara biodiversity, but difficult to follow for non-Japanese speakers.
🏣 Nishimachi, Chichijima, Ogasawara Village, Tokyo
🅿️🚗...Unconfirmed
🚌...Village bus (get off in front of Village Hall)
Walk from the Ogasawa-Maru passenger waiting room
👟👟Approximately 10 minutes
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Opening Hours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Admission Fee
Free
Open when Ogasawa-Maru and sightseeing boats arrive
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Opened
May 2017
The facility introduces the value and efforts of the Ogasawara Islands as a World Heritage Site and serves as a base for conservation and management.
The facility is divided into rooms by function, with the exhibition hall and multipurpose room open to the public.
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Protection and Breeding Room
Protection and breeding of rare Ogasawara snails and tiger beetles are conducted here.
Animal Care Room
With the goal of preserving Ogasawara's unique ecosystem, a veterinarian is on-site to provide guidance on wildlife protection and proper pet care.
Examination and Treatment Room
To prevent the introduction of invasive species to other islands, materials and equipment used in research and conservation projects are inspected, disinfected, and stored in a clean environment.
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Exhibition Hall
This exhibit introduces the unique creatures and ecosystems that are World Heritage sites, as well as efforts to protect them.
You can also touch a life-size doll of a hound bird and stones from Nishinoshima.
A panel invites visitors to write a message for the future of Ogasawara as a commemorative message for the museum's opening.
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I had heard that there is a lot of damage caused by invasive species such as goats and cats, but I was impressed that the Ogasawara Islands have been maintained as they are today through steady efforts.
I hope that the Ogasawara Islands will remain rich in nature (and maintain their ecosystem) forever.
April 2025
It's a free facility. Parking is available!
The building is incredibly beautiful.
It's not large, but you can learn a lot about Ogasawara.
They even have fortune-telling slips, lol.
You can see the researchers working through the glass windows.
If you have the time, it might be worth stopping by for just a little while.
You can learn about the history of the Ogasawara Islands and information about the endemic species that live on the islands. Snails are being bred indoors.
I thought the same thing when I visited the center on Amami Oshima, but the issue of invasive species like feral cats cannot be avoided when registering the islands as a natural heritage site.
The Ogasawara World Heritage Center is an educational facility on Chichijima Island that explains why the Ogasawara archipelago received UNESCO World Heritage status in 2011. It provides essential context about the islands' unique evolution, endemic species, and conservation challenges through interactive exhibits and displays. Visiting the center before exploring the islands helps you understand what makes this remote ecosystem scientifically significant and how to minimize your environmental impact during your stay.
The only way to reach the islands is by taking the Ogasawara Maru ferry from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo, which takes approximately 24 hours each way. The ferry runs once every three to six days, so most visits require at least a week-long commitment. Once you arrive at Chichijima's Futami Port, the World Heritage Center is easily accessible on the island. Plan your trip carefully around the ferry schedule to ensure you have adequate time to explore.
No, admission to the Ogasawara World Heritage Center is completely free. This makes it an accessible starting point for all visitors to learn about the islands' natural heritage without any cost. The center serves as a public resource to promote awareness and appreciation of the archipelago's ecological importance.
The center features exhibitions on the islands' volcanic geology, evolutionary processes, and unique species found nowhere else on Earth, including the Bonin flying fox and endemic land snails. You'll learn why the islands are called the "Galápagos of the Orient" and discover information about marine life such as whales and dolphins in the surrounding waters. The displays also cover conservation efforts against invasive species and provide practical guidance for hiking and exploring the islands responsibly.
Most visitors spend between one to two hours at the center, which is sufficient to view all the exhibitions and gain a comprehensive understanding of the islands' significance. It's recommended to visit early in your trip, ideally on your first day after arriving on Chichijima, so the information enhances your subsequent exploration of the natural sites and trails throughout the archipelago.
