Ogasawara Village, Tokyo東京都小笠原村

Living in Ogasawara Village, Tokyo

We have Summarized the livability of Ogasawara Village, Tokyo.

What kind of place is Ogasawara Village, Tokyo?

Located in the Ogasawara Islands, Ogasawara Village is known as a nature reserve and features a beautiful coastline and ecosystem.

Ogasawara Village is a collective name for more than 30 islands scattered in the Pacific Ocean about 1,000 km south of the Tokyo mainland, with a total area of about 106.88 square kilometers.
The main islands are Mukojima, Chichijima, Hahajima, Iwojima, Nishinoshima, Minamitorishima, and Okinotorishima, and are important territories that secure about 30% of the marine area of Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
At present, only Chichijima and Hahajima are inhabited, with a population of about 2,582 people and about 1,519 households. (As of June 2023)
The Ogasawara Islands have a subtropical climate and are oceanic islands that have never been connected to the continent, so they maintain their own ecosystem and are characterized by the large number of organisms and plants unique to Ogasawara.
In 2011, the area was registered as the fourth World Heritage Site in Japan after Yakushima, Shirakami Sanchi, and Shiretoko, due to its unique ecosystem not found anywhere else and the beautiful nature that has been preserved.
The center of the village is Chichijima, which has the largest population and is where the main functions such as the town hall are concentrated.
Iwo Jima, located about 280 km south of Chichijima, is the largest island in the Ogasawara Islands, and together with the surrounding islands, it forms an archipelago called the “Volcanic Archipelago.” During World War II, it was known as a fierce battleground on the front lines of the Pacific War, and all the islanders were forced to evacuate. Since then, and up until the present, entry by civilians other than those related to the Self-Defense Forces base has been prohibited.

PR video of Ogasawara Village, Tokyo

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How is the traffic situation in Ogasawara Village?

Ogasawara Village: Access to the mainland requires plane or ferry

The only way to access the mainland from within the village is by boat to Chichijima.
It takes about 24 hours by passenger and cargo ship from Takeshiba to Futami Port (Chichijima). (Operates basically once a week)
It also takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes by passenger and cargo ship from Futami Port (Chichijima) to Oki Port (Hahajima). (Operates 0.5 to 1 round trip per day)
The only means of transportation within the village is the Ogasawara Village Bus, which operates only on Chichijima.

How are the rent and land prices in Ogasawara Village?

Ogasawara Village is a town where houses are scattered across the island, surrounded by the sea and nature.

In Ogasawara Village, you can find a variety of properties, not only for relocation but also for rental properties unique to resort areas.
The average price per tsubo of land is about 20,000 yen per tsubo.
Information on used properties is updated regularly, so those considering relocating will be able to find a property that meets their expectations.
The Ogasawara Channel provides information on rental properties, used properties, and land for sale, so if you are looking for a property, please refer to this page.

How is childcare and education in Ogasawara Village?

Ogasawara Village is an attractive town with plenty of childcare facilities and schools, making it an ideal place to raise children in a natural environment.

Ogasawara Village has two nurseries, two elementary schools, two junior high schools, and one high school.
Child medical expenses subsidies are available for both outpatient and inpatient care for infants and toddlers who are not yet in compulsory education (until the first March 31st after reaching age 6). For children between the ages of 7 and 15 (until March 31st after reaching age 15), outpatient care is subsidized at the amount of the insured medical expenses deducted up to a maximum of 200 yen per visit, and prescriptions, hospitalization, and home care are fully subsidized (some exclusions apply).
Child allowances are available: 15,000 yen for children under 3 years old, 10,000 yen for the first and second children aged 3 years old or older and not yet in elementary school, 15,000 yen for the third child and onwards, and 10,000 yen for junior high school students (some income restrictions apply).

Ogasawara Village also has a comprehensive support system of its own.
Mothers’ and parents’ classes are held for pregnant households, where they can receive lectures on pregnancy and childbirth and learn how to care for the baby.
Because Ogasawara Village does not have a facility where women can give birth within the village, they will have to travel to Tokyo, but a public health nurse will visit each household during the “mid-pregnancy visit” and they can discuss any worries or concerns they may have before traveling to Tokyo.
During the “home visit to all infants and young children,” a public health nurse will visit each household after the return to the island, take physical measurements of the baby, and provide information on child-rearing.

How about shopping in Ogasawara Village?

Ogasawara Village is a convenient town with multiple privately owned shops where you won’t run out of everyday items.

Within Ogasawara Village, there are a few private shops, souvenir shops, and restaurants on Chichijima and Hahajima.
It is not exactly a convenient location, but you can buy a basic range of food and daily necessities.
Since goods are transported to the islands by regular boats once a week, it seems common to stock up on supplies on the days when they are replenished. Also, due to the logistics costs, prices are generally high.

How about jobs and recruitment in Ogasawara Village?

Ogasawara Village is a town where agriculture and fishing are thriving in addition to tourism.

The average annual income in Ogasawara Village is 4.22 million yen.
The main industries on Chichijima and Hahajima are agriculture, fishing, and tourism.
In terms of agriculture, the production of tropical fruits and vegetables such as passion fruit and mangoes is thriving. In recent years, the island has been focusing on tourism in particular, and is making various efforts to make the island a tourist destination.
You can expect a certain number of job offers like the ones above, but since the number of job offers is low in the area, it may be difficult to find the job you want.

Ogasawara Village, Tokyo’s unique subsidy/subsidy system

Ogasawara Village, Tokyo’s unique childcare support system

Ogasawara Village, Tokyo’s unique system for further education and tuition assistance/subsidies