Off the southwest coast of Chichijima in the Ogasawara Islands sits Minami-jima, an uninhabited islet holding a fan-shaped cove called Ogiike. Submerged karst limestone has carved a pocket lagoon of glassy turquoise water backed by a brilliant white-sand beach, one of the signature views of the Ogasawara UNESCO World Heritage site. The shallow 1-4m lagoon offers 15-25m of visibility, so even casual snorkeling reveals coral patches and reef fish, and many boat tours pair a Minami-jima landing with dolphin-swim excursions nearby. As of July 2026, landing is still only possible on a guided tour led by a licensed Tokyo Metropolitan nature guide; a June 2023 rule revision lifted the old 100-visitors-a-day and 2-hour caps, but strict conservation rules remain firmly in force.
Fan-shaped white-sand cove wrapped around an emerald lagoon
Submerged karst (rasped limestone) terrain and a wave-cut natural rock arch
Semi-fossilized shells of a snail species extinct for roughly 1,000 years scattered across the sand
Calm, shallow lagoon ideal for beginner-friendly snorkeling among coral patches and reef fish
Half- to full-day boat tours from Chichijima combining the landing with dolphin swims or whale watching
Good to know
SafetyOgiike connects to the open ocean through a narrow rock arch where currents can run strong near the opening. Snorkel only within the area your guide designates inside the lagoon, and never swim out through the arch toward open water.
SafetySolo swimming is not allowed — stay with a buddy and follow the guide's instructions at all times. Beginners should wear a life vest or snorkel vest, and if your mask fogs up or you start to panic, raise a hand and signal the guide immediately rather than pushing on.
SafetyThe sharp limestone (rasped karst) terrain and shallow lagoon floor can hide sea urchins and cut bare feet. Wear reef shoes and avoid standing on the bottom or the rocks.
RulesThe whole island is a designated national natural monument and national park protection zone: collecting shells (including the semi-fossils), coral, or sand, and fishing are all prohibited. Landing requires an armband-wearing, Tokyo Metropolitan-certified nature guide, with a cap of 15 visitors per guide. A June 2023 revision lifted the old 100-visitors-per-day, 2-hour, and winter-closure (Nov-Jan) rules, but policy can change again, so confirm the current rules before booking.
SeasonMay to August is green sea turtle nesting season — avoid stepping near marked nest sites and keep your distance (no flash) if you observe nesting at night. August to October is typhoon season, when the boat crossing can be cancelled or rescheduled on short notice, so build slack into your itinerary.
MannersDon't touch the semi-fossil shells or the coral, and don't feed or approach wildlife such as sea turtles and seabirds. Stick to the marked trail and the route your guide sets.
CautionAvoid unlicensed private guides or informal 'Minami-jima landing' offers. Book only through a tour operator registered with the Ogasawara Village Tourism Association and a certified Tokyo Metropolitan nature guide.
Practical info
Chichijima has no airport — the only access is the roughly 24-hour Ogasawara-maru ferry from Tokyo's Takeshiba Pier. From Futami Harbor a 20-30 minute boat ride reaches Minami-jima, and landing is only permitted on a pre-booked tour with a licensed Tokyo Metropolitan nature guide, so check current pricing, group limits, and rules with a local operator or the Ogasawara Village Tourism Association before you go.
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