Sarushima island lures castaway partiers on early summer evenings

Sarushima island lures castaway partiers on early summer evenings | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

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YOKOSUKA, Kanagawa Prefecture--Known to locals as "Monkey Island," Sarushima, an uninhabited island in Tokyo Bay, is instead coming to life in the early evening hours as a party venue for human visitors.

Partygoers can drink cocktails and other intoxicating beverages at the beach while listening to live music and enjoying other activities.

The Sarushima Magic event is being held on weekends and holidays through Sept. 24.

The final ferry back to Yokosuka leaves the island 30 minutes after sunset instead of the regular 5 p.m. departure. 

Previously, the island has served as a venue for events after sunset and in the early morning.

But it is the first time for Sarushima to host an event during the magical early evening hours.

A new art installation set up in a driftwood motif on the beach welcomes visitors, while a bar is set up to serve cocktails and snacks.

Tourists can join a guided tour around the island, while live classical music performances will be offered on a special stage in September.

"We want to present a new style of leisure in which vacationers can visit Sarushima first and enjoy wining and dining and other activities in Yokosuka at night," said a representative of Tryangle Inc., which operates cruise ships in the city.