So you think Tokyo is fast-paced and tiring? Think again.
Semitropical Hachijojima is the southernmost of the seven Izu Islands, which are administered by Tokyo. The island is a popular destination for surfing, fishing and scuba diving but with everyone out at sea all day, the island feels almost deserted.
The gourd-shaped island, protected as part of Fuji Hakone Izu National Park, is covered in wild aloe and groves of tiny palm trees, whose harvested leaves are sold to flower shops nationwide. Most of the 9,000 residents live in the valley between dormant volcanoes Mount Hachijofuji and Mount Miharayama.