Hachijojima history

Ancient Roots and Settlement

The history of Hachijojima dates back to ancient times. Archaeological finds confirm that people inhabited this volcanic island as early as the Jomon period, several thousand years ago. Thanks to its location in the Izu Islands chain, this territory became known to seafarers early on, although it remained isolated from the turbulent events on the "mainland" for a long time.

Development Factors and Special Status

Several key circumstances defined the formation of Hachijojima as a unique historical entity:

• Geographical isolation: Remoteness from Edo (modern Tokyo) and the strong Kuroshio Current, which made navigation difficult, turned the island into a naturally inaccessible outpost.
• Place of exile: During the Edo period, the island acquired the status of a place of exile for political opponents of the Shogunate, aristocrats, and intellectuals. Paradoxically, this contributed to the region's development, as the exiles brought with them the knowledge and culture of the capital.

Early Economy and Cultural Heritage

The island's economy historically relied on agriculture and fishing, adapted to the subtropical climate. However, the production of unique silk brought real fame to the region.

The Kihachijo fabric, dyed with natural plant extracts in recognizable yellow and brown shades, became a vital trade resource and was even used to pay taxes. The blend of local traditions with the high culture brought by educated settlers formed the unique character of the island, which is preserved to this day.

• 1605 — The last major eruption of the Nishiyama volcano (Hachijo-Fuji) occurs, finally shaping the geological appearance of the area.
• 1606 — Daimyo Ukita Hideie is exiled to the island, marking the beginning of a long period of using Hachijojima as a place of exile for the political elite and intellectuals.
• 1871 — The Meiji government declares a general amnesty, officially ending the island's history as a penal colony.
• 1927 — Launch of regular steamship service to Tokyo, significantly facilitating the transport of people and goods and reducing isolation.
• 1954 — As a result of the administrative merger of the villages of Mitsune, Okago, and Kashitate, the modern town of Hachijo is officially formed.
• 1962 — Opening of the airport and the start of regular flights, making travel to the island fast and accessible to the public.
• 1964 — Hachijojima is included in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, highlighting its natural value at the state level.
• 1970s — The island experiences a tourism boom, gaining the unofficial status of the "Hawaii of Japan" and becoming a popular resort for honeymooners.
• 1977 — The "Honba Kihachijo" silk production technology is recognized as a traditional craft of national importance in Japan.
• 1999 — Commissioning of a geothermal power plant using volcanic heat to generate environmentally friendly energy.
• 2017 — Start of an active campaign to develop eco-tourism, including tours for whale watching and viewing volcanic landscapes.

Key Stages of Formation and Development

The development of Hachijojima as an administrative unit and a tourist centre passed through several turning points, each of which radically changed the lifestyle of the islanders.

• Cultural Transformation of the Edo Era (17th–19th centuries)

  The transformation of the island into a place of exile for the political elite and intellectuals became a powerful driver of cultural growth. The exiles introduced literacy, capital customs, and advanced agricultural knowledge for that time, which distinguished Hachijojima from other islands in the Izu archipelago.

• Economic Foundation: The "Kihachijo" Silk Industry

  The production of unique silk fabric, dyed with local plants, served as the basis of the economy for centuries. This craft not only provided residents with a livelihood (the fabric was used to pay taxes) but also formed a recognizable regional brand, later recognized as a national treasure.

• Administrative Consolidation (1954)

  The merger of the villages of Okago, Mitsune, and Kashitate into the single town of Hachijo allowed for centralized management and budgeting. This event became the starting point for large-scale urban planning and the modernization of public infrastructure across the entire island.

• Transport Revolution and Airport Opening (1962)

  The launch of regular air services broke centuries of isolation. Reducing travel time to Tokyo from long hours on a ship to a short flight opened the floodgates for a massive flow of people and goods, fundamentally changing the region's logistics.

• Resort Boom of the "Hawaii of Japan" (1960s–1970s)

  During this period, the island experienced an unprecedented construction and economic boom, becoming the main destination for honeymoon trips in Japan. The massive construction of hotels, roads, and entertainment complexes forever changed the landscape and reoriented the economy towards the service sector.

• Transition to Green Energy (1999)

  The launch of the geothermal power plant marked a new stage of technological development. Using volcanic heat to generate electricity increased the island's energy autonomy and laid the foundation for its modern image as an eco-resort.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Development

The architecture of Hachijojima is a unique fusion of adaptation to harsh island conditions and ambitious projects of the resort era. Unlike mainland Japan, the classic succession of European styles (such as Gothic or Renaissance) is not observed here. The history of the island's development is divided into periods of struggle against the elements and stages of tourist modernization.

Traditional Architecture: Edo and Meiji Eras

The early development of the island relates to vernacular (folk) architecture. The main goal of the builders was protection from frequent typhoons, high humidity, and salty winds.

• Style and Materials: Use of volcanic stone and timber. Houses were built low, with deep eaves and raised floors for ventilation.
• "Tamaishigaki" Stone Walls: A unique feature of the island's urban planning. Rounded stones, smoothed by the sea, were laid in high fences around homes. It is believed that the technology of impeccable masonry was introduced by exiled samurai. These walls formed protected residential clusters, defining the layout of settlements.

Resort Modernism and Eclecticism: Showa Era (1960s–1980s)

The period of economic boom and the fame of the "Hawaii of Japan" brought reinforced concrete and large-scale forms to the island. This was a time of functionalism and bold experiments in the hospitality sector.

• Resort Development: Multi-storey concrete hotels—a material resistant to typhoons—sprung up along the coast. The architecture of this period often had a utilitarian character, but with elements of Western luxury in the interiors.
• Postmodernism and Kitsch: A striking example (now abandoned) was the Hachijo Royal Hotel, built in the French Baroque style with plaster statues and ornaments, creating a surreal contrast with the tropical nature.

Modern Stage: Eco-style and Minimalism

Modern urban planning has shifted focus to sustainable architecture. New public buildings, such as museums, visitor centres, and geothermal facilities, are designed with the landscape in mind, using simple geometric forms and natural colours so as not to disturb the visual harmony of the island.

Notable Districts and Sites

• Kashitate District: A historic quarter where the traditional atmosphere is best preserved. Here, one can see authentic Tamaishigaki walls and ancient gates that form the historical appearance of the settlement.
• Okago: The administrative and commercial centre, demonstrating a mix of modern functional development with remnants of the resort architecture of the last century.

Historical Figures and Legends

The history of Hachijojima is inextricably linked with the names of noble exiles and legendary warriors whose fates were intertwined with the island.

• Ukita Hideie (1573–1655)
  Role: Daimyo, member of the Council of Five Elders under Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
  Significance: The most famous exile in the island's history. After his defeat at the Battle of Sekigahara, he was sent to Hachijojima, where he lived for 50 years. He became the first of the noble exiles, laying the foundation for the island's unique cultural environment where capital traditions and local lifestyle mingled. His descendants still live on the island today.
• Minamoto no Tametomo (1139–1170)
  Role: Samurai commander and legendary archer of the Heian period.
  Significance: A hero of local folklore. According to legends, after his defeat in the Hogen Rebellion, he settled in the Izu Islands, including Hachijojima. He is credited with incredible physical strength and influence on the formation of the local gene pool. Shrines and memorial places associated with his name have been preserved on the island.
• Kondo Tomizo (1805–1887)
  Role: Samurai, explorer, and ethnographer.
  Significance: Son of the famous northern explorer Kondo Juzo, exiled to the island for involvement in a murder. During his 50-year imprisonment, he created the monumental work "Hachijo Jikki" (True Records of Hachijo)—an encyclopedia detailing the flora, fauna, customs, and history of the island, which remains an invaluable source of knowledge.
• Princess Gohime (1574–1634)
  Role: Daughter of Maeda Toshiie, wife of Ukita Hideie.
  Significance: Although she herself never visited the island (she was forbidden from following her husband), Gohime became a symbol of devotion for the locals. Throughout her life, she sent ships with supplies, gold, and medicines to Hachijojima, supporting the life of her husband and his entourage. A monument stands on the coast of the island, where she and Hideie symbolically look at each other across the ocean.

Figures of Culture and Art

The island is famous for its craft traditions, which are upheld by outstanding masters.

• Yamashita Yaeko (1901–1995)
  Role: Master weaver, guardian of traditions.
  Significance: An outstanding craftswoman who dedicated her life to preserving the technology of Kihachijo silk production. For her merits and mastery, she was awarded the title of "Living National Treasure" of Japan in 1986. Thanks to her, the unique art of dyeing fabrics with local plants received global recognition.