Country Japan District Ōshima Subprefecture - Flower Camellia japonica Population 7,762 (1 Jun 2016) Prefecture Tokyo | Region Kantō - Tree Camellia japonica Area 90.76 km² Local time Monday 2:04 AM | |
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Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) Weather 6°C, Wind N at 3 km/h, 69% Humidity Points of interest Mount Mihara, Oshimaonsenmotomachihama Hot Spring, Miharayama Hot Spring, Izuoshimakazan Museum, Toritsu Oshima Park Zoo | ||
Ōshima (大島町, Ōshima-machi) is a town located in Ōshima Subprefecture, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. As of 1 February 2016, the town had an estimated population of 7,762 and a population density of 85.5 persons per km². Its total area was 90.76 square kilometres (35.04 sq mi)
Contents
- Map of Oshima Tokyo Japan
- Geography
- History
- Economy
- Airport
- Education
- Sister city relations
- Local attractions
- References
Map of Oshima, Tokyo, Japan
Geography
Ōshima Town covers the island of Izu Ōshima, in the Izu archipelago in the Philippine Sea, 120 kilometres (75 mi) south of central Tokyo
History
It is uncertain when human settlement first began on Ōshima, but archaeological finds from the Jomon period have been discovered, and the island is mention from early Nara period documents. It is mentioned in historical records for its many volcanic eruptions. After the start of the Meiji period, in 1878, the island came under the control of Tokyo-fu and was organized into six villages (Okada, Motomura, Senzu, Nomashi, Sashikiji and Habuminato) under Oshima subprefecture on April 1, 1908. The six villages were merged to form Ōshima Town on April 1,1955.
In the mid-1930s, Izu Ōshima became a popular suicide destination after three schoolgirls jumped into the active volcano in the center of the island. In 1935 alone, more than 800 suicides were recorded.
The central volcano on the island, Mount Mihara erupted in 1965 and again in 1986, forcing the temporary evacuation of the inhabitants.
On 16 October 2013, Typhoon Wipha passed over the island, dropping 80 cm (31 in) of rain in 24 hours and causing a landslide that killed 35 people.
Economy
Fishing and seasonal tourism are the mainstays of the economy of Ōshima.
Airport
Education
Ōshima town operates three public elementary schools and three public middle schools. The Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education operated two high schools. Ōshima High School is an agriculture school known for producing baseball players, and Ōshima International Maritime Academy is a marine biology school. Ōshima High School is attended primarily by children native to the island. Ōshima International Maritime Academy draws students from mainland Tokyo and neighboring Izu in order to participate in its marine biology program.
Sister city relations
- Hilo, Hawaii, United States
Local attractions
The island is known for its Camellia Festival, Hanabi Festival, five black sand beaches, and several onsen.