Yes. You read it right. Whales can be spotted in the surrounding waters of Hachijojima. Ever since the first sightings of humpback whales around the island in 2015, the interest for whale watching has only been steadily increasing so read on to learn more about this opportunity.
The Research
Tokyo University of Marine Science in a joint project with the Hachijo town government is researching the whale activity in Hachijojima. What they found was, that every year since 2015 the number of visiting whales to breed has been increasing. The northernmost breeding region used to be waters found some 500 km. south of Hachijojima but it seems that this has changed as the whales have shifted northward resulting in the opportunity for people on the island to spot them throughout the cooler season (December to end of March).
Since the research is an ongoing process, they ask for everyone's assistance to report the sightings of whale activity around Hachijojima to Hachijo Tourism Association. They are grateful for your cooperation.
Hachijo Tourism Association
Tel: +81 4996-2-1377
Email: info@hachijo.gr.jp
Address: 2345-1 Okago, Hachijomachi, Hachijojima, Tokyo
Spotting a Whale in Hachijojima
There are quite a few whale species out there in the world, however, first and foremost, the only ones currently visiting Hachijojima seem to be the humpback whales. Which is good because they are more agile and tend to jump out of the water more often than the other whales, and are more popular among whale watchers for their aforementioned jumps and other dynamic movements.
In the picture you will find a short guide on how to spot a humpback whale from the island. Unfortunately, whale watching from a boat is not available yet.
Keep in mind
Whales in Hachijojima are said to be seen from December to end of March, however, if you are lucky you can catch a glimpse of them as early as the second half of November. When they are noticed, fishermen usually do not miss the opportunity to enjoy the sight so the smaller boats might be a good indication of whales' presence, therefore do not overlook the area around boats as well.
If you see something that resembles a blow, keep watching. Whales can stay underwater for an extended period of time and you might have to watch the same location for 10-15 minutes until the same whale resurfaces. Also, if you notice a whale's tail, it is most probably going down for a dive so it will be a few minutes before you can see it again.
Recommended locations
It goes without saying that an elevated ocean overlooking spot is a wise choice. Whales are often reported to have been seen at Yaene port so that would be your best bet to check out first. Other places include but are not limited to Nambara Senjojiki grounds and Yokoma Beach as well as Nago or any other observatory for those with good sight or binoculars.
For a more relaxed way of scouting you can always opt for a hot spring and idly enjoy your time at one of the two hot springs overlooking the ocean (Miharashi-no-Yu in Sueyoshi area or Foot Bath Kirameki in Nakanogo area).
Understanding Whale Movements
This is a short overview of the basic whale movements which should aid you in your understanding of what is going on during whale watching. The most common movements are called: Breaching, Pectoral Fin Slapping (also known as Pec Slapping), Tail/Peduncle Slapping (also known as Lobtail), Peduncle Arch, and Fluke Up/Down Dive. Each of the movement is a dynamic expression of the whale's mood which leaves quite the impression. Refer to the picture below to get an idea of how the said movements look like.
P.S. If you happen to spot and even take a shot of a whale in Hachijojima, you are more than welcome to share it with us!
Safe travels!
Hachijojima101