Coastline 84 km (52.2 mi) Elevation 584 m Max length 27 km | Width 11 km (6.8 mi) Highest elevation 584 m (1,916 ft) Prefectures Hokkaidō Area 143 km² | |
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Similar Rebun Island, Rishiri Island, Tanegashima, Liancourt Rocks, Awaji Island | ||
Okushiri Island (奥尻島, Okushiri-tō) is an island in Hokkaidō, Japan. It has an area of 142.97 square kilometres (55.20 sq mi). The town of Okushiri and the Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park encompass the entire island. It has many sheep pastures and beech forests. There are several schools, including high, junior high, and elementary. Okushiri currently has no colleges or universities.
Contents
- Map of Okushiri Island Okushiri Okushiri District Hokkaido Prefecture Japan
- History
- Transportation
- Tourist Activities
- References
Map of Okushiri Island, Okushiri, Okushiri District, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan
The name Okushiri comes from the Ainu name I-kus-un-sir (イクㇱウンシㇼ). The phonetic word ikus(un) means other side and sir means island. However, the Japanese meaning of the two kanji used for the name mean "wife's hips" or "wife's buttocks".
History
Okushiri has been struck by several natural disasters, the 1983 Sea of Japan earthquake on 26 May 1983 which killed two, and the more deadly 1993 Hokkaidō earthquake and tsunami on 12 July 1993. The 1993 earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7 on the moment magnitude scale and a maximum felt intensity of VIII (Severe) on the Mercalli intensity scale. It triggered a major tsunami that caused deaths on Hokkaidō and in southeastern Russia, with a total of 230 fatalities recorded. Okushiri was hardest hit, with 165 casualties from the earthquake, tsunami and a large landslide. The tsunami inundated large parts of Okushiri, despite its tsunami defenses. The island subsided by 5–80 centimetres (2.0–31.5 in). After the tsunami, the amount of residents slowly declined, and continues to do so.
Transportation
Okushiri Airport serves the island. There are also two ferries that frequently arrive at the island.
Tourist Activities
Okushiri Island is known for its famous "Okushiri Arch," a small rocky arch sculpted by the ocean. Okushiri Island has many hot springs, and opportunities for fishing and swimming.