Chiringashima

Chiringashima

Chiringashima (知林ヶ島) is an island in Ibusuki, Kagoshima, Japan.

Geography

Chiringashima is the biggest island in Kagoshima Bay. It is uninhabited and lies about 800m off Tarahama. Its circumference is about 3km and the area is about 60 ha, with a highest point of about 90m. There is a small island which is about 0.2ha that lies about 320m north of Chiringashima called Kojima or Chirinkojima. Chiringashima is a part of the somma of Ibusuki caldera. Refer to geology, white sandbar is on the base of welded tuff.

From March to October, a sandbar of about 800m at low tide enabling you to walk across to the island in about 20 minutes. The longest time it appears is for four hours. According to statistics of the city, for 190 days in a year it appears more than an hour, and for 86 days in a year more than two hours.

This sandbar is occasionally washed away after typhoons and disappeared for a while, but it is restored when sands brought back by the tide. The plant, Vincetoxicum austrokiusianum, which is listed as an endangered species in Red data book has been found on Chiringashima.

Sightseeing

In the island, there are esplanades and an observation deck, visitors can enjoy fishing and gathering shellfish. Another esplanade and arbor is under construction. an asylum and a visiter center and a wharf are also being planned. Since the natural environment has been preserved in this area, the idea of make full use of it is untouched beauty for the tourist industry is under consideration. On the other side of the island, another sandbar also appears for a limited time but the tidal currents around this area are rapid and could put visitors in danger, so safety measures need to be taken.

This island is known as a matchmaking spot for couples because the sandbar is reminiscent of a bridge or bond.

Reference

• 指宿市役所総務課市誌編さん室, ed. (1985-10-25). 指宿市誌 (in 日本語). 指宿市長 肥後 正典. {{cite book}}: Text "和書" ignored (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) pp.676 - 678
• 「角川日本地名大辞典」編纂委員会, ed. (1983). 鹿児島県. 角川日本地名大辞典 (in 日本語). Vol. 46. 角川書店. {{cite book}}: Text "和書" ignored (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) p.433
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