Kōzushima, Tokyo

Kōzushima

神津島村
Kōzushima 神津島村
Village
	Flag Seal
	Location of Kōzushima in Tokyo Metropolis
	Kōzushima
	Coordinates: 34°12′19.1″N 139°08′3.8″E / 34.205306°N 139.134389°E
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Tokyo Metropolis
Area
• Total	18.58 km2 (7.17 sq mi)
Population (June 2016)
• Total	1,856
• Density	99.9/km2 (259/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number	04992-8-0011
Address	904, Kōzushima-mura, Tōkyō-to 100-0601
Website	vill.kouzushima.tokyo.jp

Kōzushima Village (神津島村, Kōzushima-mura) is a village located in Ōshima Subprefecture, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. As of 1 June 2016^[update], the village had an estimated population of 1,856, and a population density of 99.9 persons per km². Its total area is 18.58 square kilometres (7.17 sq mi).

Geography

Kōzushima Village covers the islands of Kōzu-shima, one of the northern islands in the Izu archipelago in the Philippine Sea, 178 kilometres (111 mi) south of central Tokyo. Warmed by the Kuroshio Current, the town has a warmer and wetter climate than central Tokyo.

Neighboring municipalities

Tokyo Metropolis
- Niijima, Tokyo
- Mikurajima, Tokyo

History

Kōzushima Village was founded on October 1, 1923, when the Izu islands were administratively divided into villages and town.

Economy

The village economy is dominated by commercial fishing and seasonal tourism. There is also some small-scale farming. In the middle of the 20th century, unsuccessful attempts were made to develop silkworm farming. Many tourists come for sports fishing and scuba diving. Its white sandy beaches make it an excellent place to swim in summer, since it receives considerably fewer visitors than the other islands in the Izu chain. There are many hiking courses around its volcano, Tenjō-san, which dominates the center of the island. However, winter visits are discouraged, cancellation of flights and ferries due to inclement weather can strand visitors. The island is also noted for its local Shōchū.

Transportation

Kōzushima is accessible by ferry from mainland Tokyo, Shimoda, Shizuoka, or other Izu Islands. There are also daily flights from Chōfu Airport, in western Tokyo to Kozushima Airport.

Education

The village operates one public elementary and one public middle school. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education operates Kōzu High School [1], the only high school in the village.