Hikoshima

Hikoshima (彦島) (also called Hikishima (引島) in Nihon Shoki) is an island on the south-west tip of Honshu, Japan.

Hikoshima
Native name:
彦島 Hikoshima
Hikoshima
Location in Japan
Geography
LocationEast China Sea
Coordinates33°56′14″N 130°54′52″E
Area10.58 km2 (4.08 sq mi)
Length5.7 km (3.54 mi)
Width2 km (1.2 mi)
Highest elevation111.8 m (366.8 ft)
Highest pointmount 大山 (Ooyama)
Administration
Japan
PrefectureYamaguchi Prefecture
cityShimonoseki
Demographics
Population30182 (2011)
Pop. density2,853/km2 (7389/sq mi)
Ethnic groupsJapanese

Geography

The island is irregularly shaped and hilly. The strait, as narrow as 40 metres (44 yd), separates the island form the main island of Honshu. The parts of sprawling city of Shimonoseki occupy the most of the island, making it the most populous minor island in Yamaguchi Prefecture, albeit only sixth in size by area.

Transportation

The island is connected to the Japanese mainland of Honshu by three bridges, one above ship lock. Kanmon RailwayTunnel connects island to Kyushu, but San'yō Main Line has no stop-overs on island, nearby station being the Shimonoseki Station in the downtown area.[1] Also, bridge connection exist to the small 竹の子島 (Takenoko-jima) on the north-western tip of the Hikoshima.

History

The island was inhabited since prehistory, as evidenced by petroglyphs found in 1918.[2] Following the Battle of Dan-no-ura, the refugees from the Taira clan has migrated to island and set the basis for the local agriculture. The island was an important site of Shimonoseki Campaign in 1863-1864 when it was much feared the island would become the Japanese variant of Hong Kong.[3] The island industrialization began in 1924 with the building of ammonium sulphate plant with German license in 1924.[4] Currently island is heavily populated and industrialized, including shipyard[5] and titanium&zinc smelter.[6]

Attractions

Notable residents

See also

References
  1. Let`s travel around Japan - Shimonoseki city
  2. David S. Whitle, "Handbook of Rock Art Research", p. 766
  3. Keiya Mizuno, Naoki Naganuma, "Life Works Itself Out: (And Then You Nap)", p.48
  4. Akira Kudo, "Japanese-German Business Relations: Co-operation and Rivalry in the Interwar Period", p. 240
  5. Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works Enoura Plant/ Yamatomachi Plant
  6. U.S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook, 2013, V. 3, Area Reports, International, Asia and the Pacific, p. 13.9
  7. Yamaguchi travel guide - Hikojima
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