The only place in Japan referred to as a "desert"! Location photos taken at the "Ura Desert" located in Izu Oshima, Tokyo.

2024.05.28 published

Is there a desert in Japan...?

Do you know the place called "Ura-Sabaku" in Japan?

When it comes to deserts in Japan, the Tottori Sand Dunes are popular, but they are different from what we are going to introduce now. What is in Tottori is a sand dune, and what we are going to introduce is "Ura-Sabaku."

This is a place on Izu Oshima Island, which you can reach by high-speed jet ferry in 1 hour and 45 minutes from Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal.＊

➡ Here it is 📍 (Google Maps)

@moi__moy

Such a place!

Ura-Sabaku is not the brown desert that you might imagine in Egypt, but a completely black desert.

It is located on the northeastern side of Mihara Mountain, which is at the center of Izu Oshima, and the land and sand are black due to the accumulation of volcanic ash and scoria (volcanic ejecta).

Strictly speaking, it is not considered a desert (as a desert is defined as a dry area with annual rainfall below 250 mm, or where evaporation exceeds precipitation), but it is referred to as "desert" because it looks like one.

A completely black desert. It doesn't seem like Japan at all…!

@moi__moy

By the way, there used to be a desert area known as "Ura-Sabaku," but most of it was covered by lava flows after an eruption in 1950, and the desert landscape was lost. Now, there is no "Omote-Sabaku," and only Ura-Sabaku remains.

Amazing wedding photos taken in Ura-Sabaku ♡

Wedding photos taken in this black desert, "Ura-Sabaku," are stunning.

Since black locations are quite rare, you can create unique and chic wedding photos that stand out from the rest. ♡

People might be surprised and ask, "Where is this?", "Did you shoot this abroad?"

@moi__moy

The photographer, moe, chose a black dress to match the black desert.

It looks cool! 🖤

@moi__moy

Her husband's tuxedo was also unified in all black.＊

@moi__moy

The Persian-style carpet that gives a desert feel is also lovely.＊

@moi__moy

Photography spots on Izu Oshima ♡

Besides Ura-Sabaku, moe also took photos at a water area called "Toshiki Swimming Area" on Izu Oshima.＊ (It's about a 30-minute drive from Ura-Sabaku.)

This is a path leading to the swimming area.＊

@moi__moy

@moi__moy

Here are some photos taken at the swimming area.

The cobalt blue sea is so beautiful that it doesn't look like Tokyo at all! ♡

@moi__moy

@moi__moy

@moi__moy

@moi__moy

@moi__moy

@moi__moy

I want to take wedding photos in Ura-Sabaku ♡

The only place in Japan referred to as a "desert" is "Ura-Sabaku."

With a location that doesn't seem like Japan, very few people have taken photos there yet, so if you're wondering, "Where should I take my wedding photos?" you should definitely consider it as a candidate. ＊

It's less than two hours from Tokyo, so it’s possible to do a day trip for the shoot, and it sounds fun to stay a few nights and fully enjoy the island together! ♡ (You might see sea turtles while cycling, hiking, or snorkeling. 🐢)

➡➡ Access to Ura-Sabaku 📍 (Google Maps)

➡ Book hotels in Izu Oshima here ♡

➡ Here is the list of wedding photo articles＊

@moi__moy