Sarushima
猿島
A ferry ride away — smaller roads, clearer water and a different pace.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons — click any image for the photographer and licence.
What this place is
Sarushima (猿島; "Monkey Island"), is a small island located off Yokosuka, Kanagawa in Japan. It is the only natural island in Tokyo Bay. Sarushima was used as a battery by the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period, and after the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the island was developed as part of the Yokosuka Navy Yard. Matthew C. Perry named the island Perry Island in 1853.
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Why it is worth the trip
- The crossing itself: the approach by sea is half the experience.
- Coastal scenery and viewpoints you can circle in a day on foot, by bike or by local bus.
- A small resident community whose food, festivals and dialect differ from the mainland nearby.
What you can do here
- Rent a bicycle or e-bike at the port and ride the coastal loop.
- Walk to the island's main viewpoint or lighthouse for the wide sea panorama.
- Eat seafood caught that morning at a port-side restaurant.
- Stay overnight if you can — the island empties out after the last ferry and the night sky is excellent.
Getting there
We do not have step-by-step transit directions for this spot yet. Open the location on Google Maps for routes from where you are staying.
Good to know before you go
- Plan around the ferry timetable first, everything else second; the last boat is unforgiving.
- Ferries are cancelled in high wind or swell — have a backup plan for the day.
- ATMs, konbini and card payment can all be scarce; bring cash and water.
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