Tobishima, Yamagata

Tobishima (飛島), is an inhabited island located in the Sea of Japan, administered part of Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. The island, 2.75 km² in area, had 275 inhabitants as of 2005. The island has no airport, and access is normally by ferry to the city of Sakata on the mainland. The islanders are dependent mainly on commercial fishing and seasonal tourism.

This article is about the island. For the municipality in Aichi Prefecture, see Tobishima, Aichi.
Tobishima
Native name:
Japanese: 飛島
Aerial photograph of Tobishima in 1976
Tobishima
Geography
LocationSea of Japan
Coordinates39°11′40″N 139°32′56″E
Area2.75 km2 (1.06 sq mi)
Length2 km (1.2 mi)
Width1 km (0.6 mi)
Coastline10.2 km (6.34 mi)
Highest elevation68 m (223 ft)
Highest pointTakamoriyama
Administration
Japan
PrefectureYamagata
CitySakata
Demographics
Population275 (2005)
Pop. density91/km2 (236/sq mi)
Ethnic groupsJapanese

Geography

Tobishima is approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) by 1 kilometre (0.62 mi). It is located 39 kilometres (21 nmi) west of Honshu. The highest point is Takamori-yama ( 高森山 ) at 68 metres (223 ft)

The island is mostly flat, with a gentle rise from the east coast to the west coast, the west coast is characterized by steep cliffs. The port facilities are therefore located on the east coast and along with most of the population. Due to the effects of the warm Tsushima current, the island has relatively mild weather year-round average annual temperatures of 12 °C; even snowfall of 10 cm is rare. The island is covered with evergreen deciduous trees, including Eurya japonica. The island also serves as an important nesting grounds for some 270 species of migratory birds.

History

Tobishima has been populated for several thousand years, with archaeological finds from the early Jōmon period dated to 6000–7000 years ago. In the late Heian period, the island was controlled by the Abe clan, followed by the Kiyohara clan. In the Edo period, it was part of the holdings of the Sakai clan at Shonai Domain and an occasional port for the kitamaebune coastal trading vessels.

As of April 1950, the village of Tobishima and thus the island was annexed by the city of Sakata, Yamagata.

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References
  • National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGIA). Prostar Sailing Directions 2005 Japan Enroute. Prostar Publications (2005). ISBN 1577856511
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