Port of Habu, Maritime port on Oshima Island, Japan
Port of Habu is a natural harbor on the southwestern side of Oshima, sheltered by steep cliffs that form a near-circular bay. The protected water inside makes it one of the most reliable anchorages along the Izu Islands chain.
The harbor was shaped by the 1703 Genroku earthquake, which broke open a volcanic lake and connected it to the sea. The tsunami that followed deepened and widened the opening, giving the bay its current form.
For many decades, Habu was a stop for traveling theater troupes moving along the Izu Islands by boat. Older residents still remember when the dock was the social center of village life, where people gathered to watch arrivals and departures.
Ferries connect the port to Tokyo, and crossing times vary depending on the type of service and conditions at sea. It is worth checking schedules ahead of time, as wind and rough weather can affect departures, especially in winter.
The cliff walls at the bay entrance show layered deposits of volcanic ash and hardened lava, each layer marking a different eruption of Mount Mihara. These layers are visible to the naked eye from the dock, making the harbor itself a kind of open geological record.
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