Ogasawara Islands
The Ogasawara Islands (小笠原諸島) are an archipelago of over 30 subtropical islands some 1000 km directly south of Tokyo, Japan. Administratively, they are a part of Tokyo prefecture. The islands are also known as the Bonin Islands (ボニン諸島), and the southernmost (uninhabited) group is known as the Volcano Islands (火山列島 ''Kazan Rettō).The only inhabited islands are Chichi-jima (父島, lit. "Father Island") and Haha-jima (母島, "Mother Island"). Access to these islands is possible only via a single weekly overnight ferry from Tokyo, although there are plans to open an airport. Tourists are attracted to the islands by scuba diving and whale watching.
The uninhabited Iō-jima (硫黄島, "Sulphur Island"), better known in English as Iwo Jima, is a part of the Volcano Islands. Access to the island requires special permission.
