Izu Islands
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Izu Islands (伊豆諸島 Izu-shotō?) are a group of volcanic islands stretching south and east from the Izu Peninsula of Honshū, Japan. Administratively, they form part of Tokyo. The largest is Izu Ō-shima, usually called simply Ō-shima.
Although traditionally referred to as the "Izu Seven," there are in fact more than a dozen islands and islets. Tokyo Metropolitan Government officially lists them as nine (North to South):
- Izu Ō-shima or Ō-shima
- To-shima
- Nii-jima
- Shikine-jima
- Kōzu-shima
- Miyake-jima
- Mikura-jima
- Hachijō-jima and Hachijōko-jima
- Aoga-shima
All nine form part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Sport fishing is a popular activity, with most boats docked on the Izu Peninsula. During the Edo period, Nii-jima, Miyake-jima, and Hachijō-jima were used to exile criminals.
Volcanic activity, including the release of harmful gases, forced the evacuation of Miyake-jima in 2000. In February 2005, residents were allowed to return permanently to the island but were required to carry gas masks in case of future volcanic emissions.
The subtropical Ogasawara Islands, which are also administratively part of Tokyo, lie further to the south. They form a far-flung archipelago of over thirty (30) islands some 1,000 km due south of Tokyo.
[edit] Gallery
 Map showing general location |
 Shikine-jima from Kozu-shima. Furthest: O-shima; left: To-shima; right: Nii-jima; smallest: Jinai Island. |
 Miyake-jima from Kozu-shima |
 Nii-jima from Kozu-shima |
