Aogashima, a volcanic island that is home to Japan’s least populated village.
When we think of Tokyo, we often think of a crowded metropolis, home of the latest trends; a city brimming with technology and innovation. But not many people realise that the least populated village in Japan, an island called Aogashima, is also technically part of Tokyo.
Netizens have recently reposted photographs of the remote island, and are amazed that such a place still exists in modern Japan.
From Himasoku.com:
The Least Populated Village in Japan: Twelve Pictures of Aogashima, An Island That Seems Like A Fantasy
In April of 2010, the village of Aogashima had a population of 165 people. The least populated village in Japan is so distinctive because it is an island made from a composite volcano, which are rare throughout the world.
The shape of the island, which is a small mountain in the volcanic vent, seems like it might even have been designed by someone.
There are no direct flights from the mainland, but there are boats, planes and helicopters via Hachijo-jima, and you can reach the island from the capital in the short time of just over two hours.
There are several places you can stay that have internet access, as well as campsites, and now I kind of want to go sightseeing there.
Comments from Himasoku.com:
コーニッシュレック(東京都)：
So do helicopters stop by there from Hachijo-jima? I guess it would be pretty difficult to moor boats there because of erosion of the cliffs…
黒(千葉県)：
Wow, they even have internet access in these remote places.
ジャガランディ(チベット自治区)：
So what kind of people are the people who live here? I guess that they’re people who moved there in recent years rather than people who’ve been there for generations.
バーマン(埼玉県)：
If you did something wrong in such a closed village, there’s the fear that the next day it would be gossiped about by the entire village, I that it’s the kind of island where people would be scapegoats, and that any kind of unsavory gathering would be held in secret.
ジャングルキャット(dion軍):
This looks like the kind of place where they could try out Jurassic Park for real.
ボルネオウンピョウ(SB-iPhone)：
I wonder how the 165 people on the island make a living?
コラット(大阪府)：
If you look at a map, then it’s as far from the nearest place as the distance between Tokyo and Osaka. I wonder if people get lonely living in a place like that.
三毛(東京都)：
It’s got an amazing fantasy quality about it. It doesn’t lose out to Mont St. Michel, that’s for sure.
シャム(やわらか銀行)：
I wonder if they have any convenience stores there?
ユキヒョウ(兵庫県)：
I’m pretty concerned about the salaries of the mayor and the councillors.
ラガマフィン(愛知県)：
I wonder if Amazon have free delivery there too? I mean, it’s technically in Tokyo…
ラ・パーマ(やわらか銀行)：
If you ordered something on Rakuten, I wonder when it would arrive?
カナダオオヤマネコ(香川県)：
It’s an island rich in many things.
カナダオオヤマネコ(香川県)：
I wonder if they have things like hospitals and noodle restaurants.
コナン(東京都)：
I’ve decided to go there for my summer holiday.
ベンガル(関東・甲信越):
Wow, so there are still places like this left in Japan?
ターキッシュバン(田舎おでん)：
Japan has some really cool islands. We should treat them as precious.
