Ieshima, Hyogo

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Ieshima (家島町) Area 20.27 km² Population 7,915 as of February 1, 2006 Density 390 / km²

Ieshima (家島町; -cho) is a town located in Shikama District, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It actually is a group of 40 small islands (4 bigger ones and 36 small ones) about 15 to 18 kilometers off the coast of Himeji City and Ako City. Ieshima is one of the big islands but the name Ieshima Town serves as a name for the whole conglomeration of islands. On March 27, 2006, the municipality of Ieshima became a part of Himeji City and is no longer being treated as a separate municipality.

[edit] Main islands

• Ieshima (家島): 5.46 km², about 5,000 inhabitants
• Bozeshima (坊勢島): 1.87 km², about 3,000 inhabitants
• Nishishima (西島): 6.59 km², about 100 inhabitants
• Tangashima (男鹿島): 4.57 km², about 150 inhabitants

Most of the population lives on Ieshima (60%) and Bozeshima. Tangashima and Nishishima are being quarried for more than 100 years now. About one third of the mountains on those islands are already shredded down. The eastern part of Nishishima, called Hahatokonoshima (mother and child island) is being maintained as a camping and recreation ground with facilities for whole school classes. It is necessary to apply and pay a fee for accessing the island of Hahatokonoshima.

[edit] Transport

All four main islands can be reached in 30-45 minutes by ship from Himeji port.

[edit] External links

• Official website in Japanese
• Website for Hahatokonoshima with price information in Japanese

Coordinates: 34°39′N 134°31′E