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Hateruma

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Archipelago
  
Yaeyama Islands

Coastline
  
14.8 km (9.2 mi)

Prefectures
  
Okinawa Prefecture

Elevation
  
60 m

Adjacent body of water
  
Pacific Ocean

Adjacent bodies of water
  
Pacific Ocean

Highest elevation
  
59.5 m (195.2 ft)

District
  
Yaeyama

Area
  
12.73 km²

Hateruma httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Island groups
  
Ryukyu Islands, Yaeyama Islands

A short trip in hateruma island


Hateruma (波照間島; Hateruma-jima; Yaeyama: Hatirooma Okinawan: Hatiruma) is an island in the Yaeyama District of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Part of the town Taketomi, it is the southern-most inhabited island in Japan at 24°2’25” north latitude, 123°47’16” east longitude. Hateruma is one of the Yaeyama Islands, and is located 24 kilometres (15 mi) south of Iriomote-jima, the largest of the island group.

Contents

Map of Hateruma, Taketomi, Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture 907-1751, Japan

Hateruma, which is composed of corals, has 12.7 km² of area and approximately 600 inhabitants.

The primary products of the island include sugarcane, pineapple, refined sugar, and Awanami, a highly prized type of the alcoholic beverage awamori. Its southern location makes it one of the few places in Japan where the Southern Cross can be observed.

Ishigaki island hateruma island


Sights

Hateruma is visited by a comparatively high number of Japanese tourists from Ishigaki on day trips, as it boasts the southernmost tip of land of Japan. In addition, the southernmost school and the southernmost police station of Japan are tourist attractions. Further places of interest include:

  • In the only village several well-preserved old houses showing the traditional architecture with a hip roof, red tiles and a shisa statue on the top can be seen. Many old houses are still surrounded by a thick wall consisting of dark coral stones.
  • In the village center there is a memorial to Oyake Akahachi, a rebel who was born on Haterumajima around 1500. The memorial was erected on a platform of coral stones.
  • One of the most interesting buildings on Haterumajima is the old watchtower Kodomori dating from the 17th century. It was used for observing the ships sailing to and from Ishigaki. As the top of the tower was one of the highest points of the flat island, it was used for smoke signals and for signal lights. A similar tower, which is called Puzumari, can be visited on the neighboring island Kuroshima.
  • On the south coast there is a memorial indicating the southernmost tip of land of Japan. The south coast is steep and the sea is very rough there.
  • The north coast of Haterumajima is a favorite tourist destination because of its fine sand.

    • Climate

    Because of Hateruma's extremely southern proximity, the climate in the island has been considered as part of the standards of a subtropical climate, and enjoys a much warmer weather compared to the rest of the main islands of Japan. Because of it's geographical location, being both subtropical and a small island itself, the island shares both oceanic and tropical characteristics. But in terms of meteorology, the Köppen climate classification system classifies the local climate as "humid subtropical climate" (Cfa).

    Infrastructure

    Hateruma Airport is located on the island but is not currently served by any commercial flights. Haterujima is easily accessible by ferry from Ishigaki several times a day. There are several guest houses and some shops and restaurants on the island. Bikes are for hire at the harbour.

    References

    Hateruma Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA