I visited Kozushima and Niijima in a day as part of my island-hopping and airport conquest. The route covers three airports in one day: Chofu Airfield, Kozushima Airport, and Niijima Airport. Outbound by small plane from Chofu to Kozushima, ferry from Kozushima to Niijima on Tokai Kisen’s large passenger ship, and return by small plane from Niijima to Chofu.

Itinerary

07:41 - 07:56Chofu Station North Exit → Chofu Airfield Odakyu Bus Route 40¥220
08:45 - 09:30Chofu Airfield → Kozushima Airport New Central Airservice Flight 301¥15,600
09:35 - 09:45Kozushima Airport → Taco Bay Miura Fishing Port Taxi (3.1 km)~¥2,000
10:30 - 11:45Taco Bay Miura Fishing Port → Niijima Port Tokai Kisen, Sarubia Maru (2nd class)¥850
11:45 - 14:30Niijima Exploring the island-
15:20 - 16:00Niijima Airport → Chofu Airfield New Central Airservice Flight 208¥14,400

Chofu Airfield

A local airport in a residential area. New Central Airservice’s small planes assign seats based on declared body weight to maintain aircraft balance.

Kozushima

Wind was strong that day and the approach was bumpy, but we landed safely. Kozushima Airport has a compact terminal.

After arrival, I took a taxi to the port. Kozushima has few taxis, so advance booking is advisable during peak season.

Due to sea conditions, the large passenger ship departed from Taco Bay Miura Fishing Port on the east side of the island instead of the usual Kozushima Port on the west. On island trips, you need to operate under the assumption that the departure port can change.

Kozushima → Niijima

There was an announcement of conditional operation — docking at Shikinejima and Niijima might not be possible. In the end, the ship docked at both and we arrived at Niijima safely. If docking had failed, the plan was to return to the mainland.

Niijima

Niijima is a narrow, north-south elongated island. The port is on the southwest side. The village center of Honmura is about a 15-minute walk.

I ate shima-zushi (island sushi) at “Sakae Sushi.” Three types of marinated fish, served with mustard.

Visited the museum on the hilltop. Good ocean views.

Flew back to Chofu from Niijima Airport by small plane. Same as the outbound leg, seats were assigned on the spot based on body weight.

Notes on This Day Trip Plan

New Central Airservice’s small planes are highly weather-dependent, with cancellation risk. The inter-island Tokai Kisen ferry can also operate conditionally, and if docking isn’t possible, you can’t get to Niijima. Everything ran on schedule this time, but having a backup plan (e.g., returning from Kozushima to Chofu if unable to reach Niijima) is necessary.