Man visits 'toxic' island where everyone has to 'carry gas mask' and a third of the island is off-limits
There's a deadly island in the Far East where everyone has to carry gas masks with them to avoid inhaling poisonous gases.
The popular travel destination attracts thousands annually, mostly due to its stunning views, black sand beaches and diving opportunities - as well as a near clear water sea.
It's known by locals as Gas Mask Island, and while many choose to hike to the top of the island's towering Mount Oyama to take it all in, there are actually parts of the island that are off-limits for residents and tourists.
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Located approximately 110 miles southeast of the Japanese capital of Tokyo, Miyake-jima is a volcanic island part of the Izu Island group, which also helps to make up the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
But why is the air on the island toxic?
Well firstly, not all of it is toxic: certain areas are more harmful than others and residents are only told to wear gas masks sometimes.
The reason behind it is Mount Oyama, a 759-metre high volcano that spews poisonous sulfuric gas with little warning, which causes all 3,000 of those living on the island to put gas masks on.
It's for their health, as the last major eruption, back in September 2000, released such a large amount of volcanic gas and sulfur dioxide that the island was evacuated.
Over four years later, in February 2005, residents were allowed to return following a four-year period of volcanic emissions.
It's a bit creepy, as an alarm is sounded when the volcano lets out sulfur dioxide into the air, meaning it's time to put your mask on.
Flights were suspended to the island until 2008 following this mass event too, as flying was deemed unsafe.
But now, tourists make their way to the island willingly, as one YouTuber, Josep Bautista, vlogged his visit to the Japanese Island.
The social media content creator showed off the sights of the island, such as its black sand beaches.
Viewers may have noticed that he had no gas mask with him, to which he explained: "Miyake-jima is known for being 'the toxic island'...
"People wear gas masks all the time," he added, though clarified that he didn't need one.
"There's certain areas that we cannot go (to), like the whole centre of the island," Bautista explained, before calling the area 'wonderful' and headed for the beach for a spot of diving.
But getting to the island is no joke - ferries from Tokyo take six and a half hours, with overnight options leaving at 10:30pm and arriving at the island at 5am.
Flying is no longer banned as well, so you could always book the 50-minute air travel option from Tokyo.
Bear in mind, the volcano has erupted multiple times in the last 100 years - 1940, where eleven people were killed by lava flow, 1962, 1983, and 2000.
But what's travelling the world without a little bit of risk?
Joshua Nair