Nishiyama (Hachijo Fuji)

Nishiyama, commonly known as Hachijo Fuji, is a symmetrical volcanic cone that rises to 854 meters above sea level on the western side of Hachijojima Island in the Izu archipelago. Located approximately 287 kilometers south of Tokyo, it stands as the highest peak among the Tokyo Islands. The mountain earned its name from its striking resemblance to Mount Fuji, featuring a classic conical profile that has made it a recognizable landmark in the region.

The volcano has been active since approximately 10,000 years ago, with its most recent eruption occurring in either 1605 or 1606. Since then, the mountain has remained dormant, allowing lush primordial forests to establish themselves around its 500-meter diameter crater. The volcanic landscape includes eroded basalt cliffs and a small crater lake, along with the Sengen Shrine nestled within the crater itself, decorated with colorful stones and inscribed wishes from visitors.

Visitors to Hachijo Fuji can choose between two hiking routes of varying difficulty. The shorter option begins at a trailhead accessible by car along the Hachimaki circuit road, from where 1,280 stone steps lead through cattle-grazing pastures and a small dairy farm to the summit. This ascent typically takes around 50 minutes of steady climbing. For more experienced hikers, a challenging 14.5-kilometer sea-to-summit route starts from the Sokodo Campsite near the port, requiring approximately seven hours for the complete round trip. This longer trail follows roads for the first portion before connecting to the stone steps that ascend to the crater rim.

At the summit, visitors can walk the complete circumference of the dramatic volcanic crater, which takes approximately one hour at a leisurely pace. The rim walk provides panoramic views across the island's coastline and out to neighboring Hachijo-kojima, a smaller volcanic island located 7 kilometers offshore. On clear days, the vistas extend across the Pacific horizon. Adventurous hikers can also descend into the crater itself to explore the Sengen Shrine and venture toward the central cone near the crater lake.

Hachijojima Island is accessible from Tokyo via two main transportation options. All Nippon Airways (ANA) operates three daily flights from Haneda Airport, with a flight time of approximately 55 minutes. Alternatively, the Tachibana-Maru ferry departs nightly at 22:30 from Takeshiba Pier (an eight-minute walk from Hamamatsu-cho Station) and arrives at Hachijojima at 08:50 the following morning, making the 10-hour 20-minute journey through the night. The ferry also stops at Miyakejima and Mikurashima islands en route. Once on the island, local buses run every 1-3 hours, though rental cars or taxis provide more flexibility for reaching the trailhead.

There is no admission fee to hike Hachijo Fuji. The island's humid subtropical climate brings over 3,000 millimeters of annual rainfall, so visitors should plan their ascent during clear weather conditions. The exposed nature of the crater rim makes hiking in fog or clouds potentially dangerous. The free Sokodo Campsite near the port offers facilities including covered cooking areas, restrooms, and hot water showers for those wishing to extend their stay on the island.