In the Pacific, about hundreds of kilometers from Tokyo, lies one of the most unusual settlements in the world: the island of Aogashima, a small village of about 170 inhabitants that lives inside an active volcanic formation.
What makes Aogashima unique is its geological structure: a double volcanic caldera, where one crater sits inside the other. This creates a dramatic natural landscape, where the inhabitants live surrounded by volcanic rock walls, making the island seem like a world of its own.
Simple life in isolation
Despite the extreme isolation, the community functions normally. There is a small school, a post office, and basic services. This year the school has only 6 students, making it a very small and family-like environment, where each child receives personalized attention. Transportation is not easy. Residents depend mainly on a helipad that connects the island to Hachijojima, from where basic supplies such as food, medicine, and other necessities arrive. There is no daily sea connection, making life there dependent on weather conditions and air logistics.
Volcanic history and the return of inhabitants
In 1785, a powerful volcanic eruption forced the inhabitants to flee the island entirely. Aogashima remained uninhabited for decades, until people returned in 1835 and rebuilt life in one of Japan's most dangerous geological areas. Today, the island remains one of the world's rarest settlements built within an active volcanic caldera, combining natural danger with a quiet, isolated way of life that has changed little over time.
