小笠原諸島：ユネスコ世界遺産 – 英語で説明 – 英会話形式で学ぶ

Hey Key, have you ever heard of the Ogasawara Islands?

I’ve been really interested in them lately. They’re about 1,000 kilometers from Tokyo and part of the Tokyo Metropolitan area, but they feel so remote.

That’s part of the adventure. There’s no airport, so the only way to go is by a ferry called the Ogasawara Maru. It takes around 24 hours from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo to Chichijima.

Exactly. Some people even see dolphins or whales during the trip. The islands are sometimes called the “Galapagos of the East” because of all the unique species that live there.

Yeah, they’ve been a World Natural Heritage site since 2011. The islands have a lot of endemic plants and animals, which means they can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

From what I’ve learned, spring to early summer and autumn are the best times to go. The weather is nice, and you can do things like snorkeling, diving, and even whale watching.

In winter and early spring, you can spot humpback whales, and sometimes sperm whales in the summer. The islands are a great spot for marine life.

Well, the beaches are beautiful, and there are hiking trails with stunning views. You can also explore the forests, which are home to some really rare species of plants and birds. It’s great for people who love the outdoors.

Actually, yeah. The islands have a mix of Japanese and Western history. After WWII, the islands were under U.S. control for 23 years before returning to Japan. There are also ruins from the war you can explore.

Yes, Hahajima is the other inhabited island. It’s smaller but also worth visiting. If you go, you’ll need to take another ferry from Chichijima.

Exactly. Since the ferry only runs once every few days, you really have to plan your trip carefully. But it seems worth the effort for such a unique experience.

Yeah, I’d love to! It’s definitely on my travel list. I’ll keep an eye on the best times to go and gather more details.

Location and Access
The Ogasawara Islands are located about 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo. Although they are part of Tokyo, the islands feel very remote. There is no airport on the islands, so the only way to reach them is by ferry. The Ogasawara Maru is the ferry that departs from Tokyo and takes about 24 hours to reach Chichijima, the main island. The ferry runs only a few times a week, so planning is important.

Unique Ecosystem
The Ogasawara Islands are known for their unique ecosystem. Since the islands were never connected to any continent, many plants and animals there are endemic, meaning they can only be found on these islands. Because of this rich biodiversity, the islands are often called the “Galapagos of the East” and were named a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2011.

Activities and Best Season
Visitors can enjoy activities such as snorkeling, diving, and whale watching. The best time to visit is in spring or early summer, or in autumn when the weather is pleasant. During winter and early spring, humpback whales can be seen, while sperm whales are sometimes spotted in summer.

History
The islands also have an interesting history. After World War II, they were under U.S. control for 23 years before being returned to Japan. Some war ruins can still be explored on the islands.

Hey Key, have you ever heard of the Ogasawara Islands?

ねぇキー、小笠原諸島って聞いたことある？

I’ve been really interested in them lately. They’re about 1,000 kilometers from Tokyo and part of the Tokyo Metropolitan area, but they feel so remote.

最近すごく興味があってね。東京から約1,000キロ離れていて、東京都に属しているんだけど、すごく離れた感じがするんだ。

That’s part of the adventure. There’s no airport, so the only way to go is by a ferry called the Ogasawara Maru. It takes around 24 hours from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo to Chichijima.

そこが冒険の一部だよ。空港がないから、「おがさわら丸」っていうフェリーで行くしかないんだ。東京の竹芝桟橋から父島まで約24時間かかるよ。

Exactly. Some people even see dolphins or whales during the trip. The islands are sometimes called the “Galapagos of the East” because of all the unique species that live there.

その通り。途中でイルカやクジラを見られることもあるんだよ。この島々は、そこにしかいない動植物が多いから「東洋のガラパゴス」って呼ばれることもあるんだ。

Yeah, they’ve been a World Natural Heritage site since 2011. The islands have a lot of endemic plants and animals, which means they can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

そう、2011年から世界自然遺産に登録されてるんだ。そこには、世界のどこにもない固有の植物や動物がたくさんいるんだよ。

From what I’ve learned, spring to early summer and autumn are the best times to go. The weather is nice, and you can do things like snorkeling, diving, and even whale watching.

調べたところだと、春から初夏と秋が一番いいみたい。天気も良いし、シュノーケリングやダイビング、ホエールウォッチングなんかも楽しめるんだ。

In winter and early spring, you can spot humpback whales, and sometimes sperm whales in the summer. The islands are a great spot for marine life.

冬から春にかけてはザトウクジラが見られて、夏にはマッコウクジラもいることがあるんだ。この島は海の生物が豊富だよ。

Well, the beaches are beautiful, and there are hiking trails with stunning views. You can also explore the forests, which are home to some really rare species of plants and birds. It’s great for people who love the outdoors.

ビーチも美しいし、絶景が見られるハイキングコースもあるよ。森には、珍しい植物や鳥もたくさんいるんだ。アウトドア好きにはぴったりだよ。

Actually, yeah. The islands have a mix of Japanese and Western history. After WWII, the islands were under U.S. control for 23 years before returning to Japan. There are also ruins from the war you can explore.

実はあるよ。島々には日本と西洋の歴史が混ざってるんだ。第二次世界大戦後、23年間アメリカの統治下にあったんだ。その時の遺跡も探検できるよ。

Yes, Hahajima is the other inhabited island. It’s smaller but also worth visiting. If you go, you’ll need to take another ferry from Chichijima.

そう、母島っていう別の有人島もあるんだ。父島より小さいけど、行く価値はあるよ。そこへ行くには、また父島からフェリーに乗らなきゃいけないけどね。

Exactly. Since the ferry only runs once every few days, you really have to plan your trip carefully. But it seems worth the effort for such a unique experience.

その通り。フェリーは数日に1便しかないから、しっかり計画する必要があるけど、それだけの価値があると思うよ。

Yeah, I’d love to! It’s definitely on my travel list. I’ll keep an eye on the best times to go and gather more details.

うん、ぜひ行きたいよ！僕の旅行リストに入ってるしね。ベストな時期をチェックして、もっと情報を集めておくよ。

Location and Access
The Ogasawara Islands are located about 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo. Although they are part of Tokyo, the islands feel very remote. There is no airport on the islands, so the only way to reach them is by ferry. The Ogasawara Maru is the ferry that departs from Tokyo and takes about 24 hours to reach Chichijima, the main island. The ferry runs only a few times a week, so planning is important.

小笠原諸島は東京の南約1,000キロに位置しています。東京都に属していますが、とても遠く感じられます。島には空港がないため、行く手段はフェリーのみです。おがさわら丸というフェリーが東京から出発し、主要な島である父島まで約24時間かかります。フェリーは週に数回しか運航していないので、事前の計画が重要です。

Unique Ecosystem
The Ogasawara Islands are known for their unique ecosystem. Since the islands were never connected to any continent, many plants and animals there are endemic, meaning they can only be found on these islands. Because of this rich biodiversity, the islands are often called the “Galapagos of the East” and were named a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2011.

小笠原諸島は独特の生態系で知られています。この島々は一度も大陸とつながったことがないため、固有の植物や動物が多く生息しています。そのため、この豊かな生物多様性から「東洋のガラパゴス」とも呼ばれ、2011年にはユネスコの世界自然遺産に登録されました。

Activities and Best Season
Visitors can enjoy activities such as snorkeling, diving, and whale watching. The best time to visit is in spring or early summer, or in autumn when the weather is pleasant. During winter and early spring, humpback whales can be seen, while sperm whales are sometimes spotted in summer.

訪れる人は、シュノーケリング、ダイビング、クジラウォッチングなどのアクティビティを楽しむことができます。訪れるのに最適な時期は、春から初夏、または天気が快適な秋です。冬から春にかけてはザトウクジラが見られ、夏にはマッコウクジラが時折観察されます。

History
The islands also have an interesting history. After World War II, they were under U.S. control for 23 years before being returned to Japan. Some war ruins can still be explored on the islands.

この島々には興味深い歴史もあります。第二次世界大戦後、23年間アメリカの統治下にあり、その後日本に返還されました。島内には、今でも探索できる戦争遺跡が残されています。