Ōshima, Tokyo
Ōshima
大島町 | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Ōshima Town Hall | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Ōshima in Tokyo Metropolis | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kantō |
| Prefecture | Tokyo Metropolis |
| District | Ōshima Subprefecture |
| Area | |
| • Total | 90.76 km2 (35.04 sq mi) |
| Population (June 1, 2016) | |
| • Total | 7,762 |
| • Density | 85.5/km2 (221/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
| - Tree | Camellia japonica |
| - Flower | Camellia japonica |
| Phone number | 04992-2-1443 |
| Address | 1-1-14 Motomachi, Ōshima-machi, Tokyo 100-0101 |
| Website | Official website |
Ōshima (大島町, Ōshima-machi) is a town located in Ōshima Subprefecture, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. As of 1 February 2016[update], 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)
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.[1]
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.[2]
Economy
Fishing and seasonal tourism are the mainstays of the economy of Ōshima.
Transportation
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[3]
Local attractions
The island is known for its Camellia Festival, Hanabi Festival, five black sand beaches, and several onsen.
References
- ^ "Japan's Fiery Pit of Death". Chicago Tribune. May 10, 1936. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
- ^ Kyodo, Jiji. "Izu-Oshima Island holds memorial for mudslide victims of Typhoon Wipha". The Japan Times. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- ^ "US-Japan Sister Cities by State". Asia Matters for America. Honolulu, HI: East-West Center. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
External links
