Tokyo Islands Explorer, a Package Tour Reservation System for Foreign Visitors to the Izu Islands, to Officially Launch on July 9, 2026

Tokyo Islands Explorer Homepage

Koku Inc. (Tokyo Office: Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Nagumu Sato) will officially launch 'Tokyo Islands Explorer,' a package tour reservation system for foreign visitors targeting Tokyo's remote islands—the Izu Islands—as part of Tokyo Metropolitan Government's 'Tokyo Treasure Island Challenge Project' on Thursday, July 9, 2026. (URL: explorer.tokyoislands.jp)

This service is a multilingual, Izu Islands–specialized reservation system that allows integrated booking of accommodations, transportation, and on-island activities. It aims to consolidate previously fragmented multilingual reservation pathways and create a seamless environment where inbound travelers can plan, book, and experience their trip from start to finish.

In addition to selling travel products, the company will also provide multilingual and inbound tourism support services for local island businesses, promoting the development of a comprehensive reception infrastructure across the Izu Islands.

Currently, the system supports English, with plans to expand multilingual capabilities in the future, including Traditional Chinese, aiming for broader international reach.

Official Logo of 'TOKYO ISLANDS EXPLORER'

Services Offered by Tokyo Islands Explorer

○ Services for Inbound Travelers

'Tokyo Islands Explorer' is a multilingual reservation system for travel products and experiences targeting Tokyo's remote islands—the nine Izu Islands. Key offerings include:

- Sales of package deals combining accommodations and transportation to the islands

- Booking arrangements for on-island activities such as diving and trekking

- Planning and sales of tours tailored for foreign visitors

- Multilingual reservation support and itinerary guidance

○ Support for Island-Based Businesses

'Tokyo Islands Explorer' also provides support for local businesses welcoming foreign tourists. Main services include:

- Design of inbound tourism operations

- Multilingual support

- Strategies for off-season management and demand generation

- Reduction of reservation and customer service burdens associated with multilingual operations

Landing Page for Island Businesses

Tokyo Islands Explorer Website

Leveraging insights from 'Tokyo Islands,' an inbound tourism media platform that has promoted the charm of the Izu Islands globally for over 10 years, 'Tokyo Islands Explorer' will sell package tours in collaboration with transportation providers such as Tokai Kisen Co., Ltd. and local island businesses.

Users can book accommodations and transportation to the islands in a single transaction and make advance payments via credit card. Going forward, the platform will expand to include activities and original tours, aiming to create a more user-friendly travel environment for both domestic and international travelers.

Landing Page for Island Businesses

Future Initiatives of Tokyo Islands Explorer

○ Expansion of Target Areas

The service will be rolled out in phases. In the 2026 fiscal year, package tour sales will begin primarily on Oshima, Toshima, Niijima, Shikinejima, and Kozushima. Support for Hachijojima, Miyakejima, Mikurajima, and Aogashima will be sequentially introduced in the future.

○ Support for Traditional Chinese

Beyond English, the platform plans to support multiple languages, with operations in Traditional Chinese scheduled to begin.

○ Support for Island-Based Businesses

As part of support for local businesses, the company plans to develop multilingual guide materials and explanatory tools using QR codes to reduce the burden on staff during check-in and guest interactions with foreign tourists.

○ Development of Fully Original Tours

The creation of completely original tours is also planned, with announcements expected in the second half of 2026.

Challenges in Inbound Tourism for the Izu Islands and the Journey of Tokyo Islands

One of the main transportation routes to the Izu Islands is by ferry, accessible from Takeshiba (Hamamatsucho), Minato-ku, Tokyo. While the islands are relatively accessible from central Tokyo, they still suffer from low awareness among foreign tourists and are not yet widely recognized as tourist destinations.

Tokai Kisen Co., Ltd. Jetfoil

Since launching the inbound tourism media platform 'Tokyo Islands' in 2014, and beginning development and operation of Tokai Kisen Co., Ltd.'s multilingual boarding ticket reservation system in 2016, the company has worked to create an environment that makes it easier for foreign visitors to access the Izu Islands.

Through over 10 years of content dissemination and social media management, the company has delivered over 2,000 non-Japanese-speaking visitors to the Izu Islands by 2025. However, challenges have included fragmented information channels, disjointed reservation pathways, and inconsistent multilingual support systems.

Oshima - Mount Mihara

To address these challenges, the company was selected for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of General Affairs' 'Fiscal Year 2025 Tokyo Treasure Island Challenge Project.' Through this initiative, the company aims to connect information, reservations, and experiences to enhance the brand value of the Izu Islands and expand tourism demand.

Toshima - Tsubaki (Camellia)

The Appeal of Tokyo's Remote Islands – The Izu Islands – from the Perspective of Inbound Tourists

The Izu Islands are located just a 30-minute flight from central Tokyo, yet they boast dynamic landscapes formed by volcanic activity, rich natural environments, and unique island-by-island cultures.

Niijima - Borozoku Wharf

The islands offer rare natural environments not found in urban areas, such as coastlines shaped by volcanic terrain, crystal-clear seas, and forests formed over long periods. Additionally, lifestyles deeply connected to nature—such as food culture, camellia oil production, and traditional weaving—are major attractions.

Visitors can enjoy diverse experiences, including diving, trekking, snorkeling, camellia oil making, and traditional cultural activities.

Kozushima - Omononushi Shrine Grand Festival

About Koku Inc.

Koku Inc. operates 'Tokyo Islands,' an inbound tourism business dedicated to Tokyo's remote islands—the Izu Islands—with the mission of sharing the value of the Izu Islands with the world. The company aims to create an environment where travelers worldwide can smoothly experience the unique blend of nature and human life in the Izu Islands. It also seeks to enrich island communities through cross-cultural encounters. This is the role that 'Tokyo Islands Explorer' aspires to fulfill.

Company Overview

Tokyo Office: WTC Annex Level 11, 2-3-8 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Representative Director: Nagumu Sato

Travel Agency Registration:

Registration Number: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Registered Travel Agency No. 2-8991

Business Scope: Domestic Travel

Business Activities:

Operation of 'Tokyo Islands,' a multilingual tourism media platform specialized for the Izu Islands

Development and operation of multilingual boarding ticket reservation systems for Tokai Kisen Co., Ltd.

Operation of 'Tokyo Islands Explorer,' a package tour reservation system for foreign visitors to the Izu Islands

Production and management of web and social media advertising promotions, tour planning, filming arrangements, and production coordination

Related URLs

Tokyo Islands: https://tokyoislands.jp/

Tokyo Islands Explorer: https://explorer.tokyo