About Mikura-island

Mikurashima Island lies 200 km south of Tokyo. The island is 20.6 square-km in the area and is 16.4 km in circumference.

The entire island is designated as a national park so swimming with the dolphins and hiking is only permitted under the supervision of a Tokyo Nature Guide. Biking and camping are also prohibited on the island.

There is one small village on the island where only 300 people reside with just a few shops, guest houses, and restaurants.

Most of the tourists who visit the island come for the “Swim-With-Dolphins” program. About 120 wild Indo Pacific Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) inhabit the sea around the island.

Mikurashima island’s tourism started just 20 years ago so there is very little infrastructure in place to accommodate guests who speak only English. Most of the personnel working at the bed and breakfasts, local shops, and with the dolphin watching boats, speak only Japanese or perhaps just a few words of English. We strongly advise that you learn a few vital phrases of Japanese that will make it possible for you to communicate with people on Mikurashima prior to your visit. This will make your stay much more enjoyable and will certainly impress the locals.