• Habuminato is a harbor that was carved out in the 1700's by a great tsunami. Inside is a traditional Japanese fishing village that never quite managed to catch up to modern times. You can watch fishermen dragging in their latest catch here. You can also sample some of the finest sushi in the world at the sushi restaurant Nishikawa. There are several overlooks that provide stunning panoramic views of the harbor along the main road. There is also a small museum made out of an old ryokan (Japanese inn) overlooking the harbor. Free admission.

• Mt. Mihara　(三原山) is an active volcano that last erupted in 1986. Surrounded by a vast desert of lava, one can travel up to the rim and peer down into the brightly colored several-hundred meter drop. It is best to go on a clear day, as clouds can obscure your vision tremendously and make getting lost quite easy.

• Izu-Ōshima Museum of Volcanoes(伊豆大島火山博物館) was established in 1990, after the 1986 eruption of Mt. Mihara. The first floor of this large museum features the complete history of the last eruption and provides just enough English explanation to be able to follow the main thread. The second floor is reserved for more general information about volcanoes with less English explanation, but many photographs from volcanoes worldwide. Entrance fee is ¥500. A half-hour film featuring the latest eruption, an impression of the island and its sea life is optional for ¥200.

• Tsutsuji-en (ツツジ園), close to Oshima Onsen hotel. True to the name, the "Azalea Garden" contains hundreds of azaleas. Flowering season from May through to July.

Tokai Kisen Kurihama, which can be easily reached by direct train from Yokohama on the Keihin-Kyuko line. The trip takes 1 hour and 45 minutes from Tokyo and 1 hour from Kurihama. Jetfoils also leave from Atami in Shizuoka and take you there in 45 minutes. A one-way ticket costs approximately ¥5,700.

Alternatively, one may take the overnight ferry operated by Tokai Kisen for approximately ¥3,500. These do not operate every night, however, so please check the schedule to ensure passage. The ship takes approximately 8 hours during the winter, and 6 during the summer.

All of the ships arrive in either Okata port or Motomachi port, depending on the weather and ocean conditions.

ANA [2] flies from Haneda airport to Oshima in 35 minutes and the airport is close to Motomachi.

Buses [3] operate between the main ferry ports in Okata and Motomachi and connect to the arrival and departure of the fast ferries. Upon arrival of the ferry, a bus departs for Mt. Mihara, which also stops at the Oshima Onsen hotel.

A taxi ride between Okata and Motomachi costs approximately ¥2,400 and takes about 15 minutes.

While expensive, renting a car for a couple hours or a day is the best way to see the island. Brush up on your Japanese.

Ashitaba (明日葉) is an indigenous plant to the Izu islands and is used in many local dishes, from salads to tempura, and from soba to tea. Since it contains many vitamins and minerals, it is claimed to have many health-related benefits. Since it grows very fast, it is also called tomorrow's leaf.

Gojinka: Gojinka is Izu Oshima's brand of "shochu", or home-brewed whiskey. It is completely organic, and brewed by a local family.