Yokosuka’s Sarushima

A Summer Journey to “Monkey Island”

Sarushima (lit. “Monkey Island”) is a small, uninhabited island located off the coast of the Miura Peninsula in Tokyo Bay. Despite its name, Sarushima is unfortunately devoid of any real monkeys. Nevertheless, while it may be lacking in simians, Sarushima certainly makes up for it with its historical legacy and natural beauty. Disclaimer aside, let’s dive into the details.

Sarushima is the ONLY natural island that exists in Tokyo Bay and has historical roots dating back to Japan’s early years. Since the middle of the Edo period (1603–1868), Sarushima has played a critical role in monitoring shipping lanes in and out of the harbor. Even today you can still stroll through the ruins of old forts that were built into the island.

While the remains of gun batteries and the like will keep the history buffs busy for hours, Sarushima can also be a lot of fun for families or groups of friends too. The area where the ferry docks is home to a swimmable beach and many of the locals enjoy trekking here during the summer months for a waterside barbecue. Just be sure to come early during peak season to claim your turf.