Toshima, Volcanic island village in Tokyo Islands, Japan.
Toshima is a village on a volcanic island in the Izu Island chain east of Tokyo, covering roughly four square kilometers. The island is densely forested, with over eighty percent of its surface covered by woodland, while thousands of camellia trees grow along cleared areas and coastal zones.
The island became an official village within Tokyo in 1923, establishing its formal place within Japan's administrative system. This transition allowed the community to develop more organized structures for managing its camellia oil production and other local activities.
The residents have long depended on camellia cultivation as their main livelihood, and the red flowers that bloom in winter shape how people experience their surroundings. This connection to the plants runs deep in daily life and remains central to what makes the place feel distinct.
You can reach the island by hydrofoil from Tokyo or helicopter from nearby Oshima Island. Visitors should prepare for limited facilities on the island and check transport connections in advance, since weather and seasonal conditions affect accessibility.
The island produces a significant share of Japan's camellia oil output, making it a center for this specialized agricultural practice. You can observe this focus everywhere, from the terraced growing areas to the processing facilities woven into everyday island life.
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