Native name: 隠岐諸島 | |
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 Map of the Oki Islands | |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 36°10′16.1″N133°8′40.8″E / 36.171139°N 133.144667°E /36.171139; 133.144667 |
| Adjacent to | Sea of Japan |
| Total islands | 4 main, 16 named, 180+ total |
| Area | 346.1 km2 (133.6 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Prefectures | Shimane |
| District | Oki District |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 24,500 (2010) |
| Pop. density | 70.7/km2 (183.1/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Japanese |
TheOki Islands (隠岐諸島,Oki-shotō; or 隠岐の島Oki-no-shima, 隠岐群島Oki-guntō) is an archipelago in theSea of Japan, the islands of which are administratively part ofOki District,Shimane Prefecture,Japan. The islands have a total area of 346.1 square kilometres (133.6 sq mi). Only four of the around 180 islands are permanently inhabited. Much of the archipelago is within the borders ofDaisen-Oki National Park. Due to their geological heritage, the Oki Islands were designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in September 2013.[1]
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The Oki Islands are volcanic in origin, and are the exposed eroded summits of two massivestratovolcanoes dating approximately 5 million years ago to theTertiary andQuaternary periods.
Dōgo to the east is the largest island in area, and has the highest elevation, Mount Daimanji, at 608 metres (1,995 ft) above sea level. The Dōzen group of islands to the west are all portions of single ancient volcaniccaldera which collapsed, leaving three large islands (Nishinoshima,Nakanoshima andChiburijima) and numerous smaller islands and rocks in a ring formation surrounding a central lagoon.[2]The archipelago is approximately 40-80 kilometres (43 nmi) north ofHonshu coast at its closest point.For administrative purposes, the Japanese government officially considers the disputed islet ofLiancourt Rocks (Dokdo or Takeshima) to be a part of the town ofOkinoshima on Dōgo.
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The islands have been recognised as anImportant Bird Area (IBA) byBirdLife International because they support populations ofJapanese wood pigeons.[4]
The Oki Islands have been inhabited since theJapanese Paleolithic era, and numerous artifacts from theJōmon,Yayoi andKofun periods have been found by archaeologists, indicating continuous human occupation and activity. The islands were organized asOki Province under theRitsuryō reforms in the latter half of the seventh century, and the name “Oki-no-kuni” appears on wooden markers found in the imperial capital ofNara. The islands are mentioned in theNara period chroniclesKojiki andNihon Shoki, and Dōgo Island was the location of the capital of ancient Oki Province.During the lateHeian period, due to its remoteness, Oki Province came to be known as a place for political exile. In 1221,Emperor Go-Toba was sent to Oki, and died in exile on the islands;[5] In 1332,Emperor Go-Daigo was also sent in exile to Oki, but later managed to escape and regain control of the country.[6][7]
From theKamakura period Oki Province was governed primarily by theshugo of Izumo Province. In theMuromachi period, it was ruled successively by theSasaki clan, theYamana clan and theKyōgoku clan. In theSengoku period theAmago clan held this province. After the Amago fell and theTokugawa shogunate was established, Oki Province was declared atenryō dominion under the direct control of theshōgun. Thedaimyō ofMatsue Domain, belonging to theMatsudaira clan, was appointed as governor.
The entire province had an assessed revenue of only 18,000koku, although its actual revenues were closer to only 12,000koku. The province was a frequent port of call for theKitamaebune coastal trading ships during theEdo period.
Following theMeiji Restoration, Oki Province became "Oki Prefecture" from February to June 1869. It was then attached toTottori Prefecture until 1876, when it was transferred toShimane Prefecture.[8]
In 1892,Lafcadio Hearn visited the islands, spending a month there, and writing about his experiences inGlimpses of Unfamiliar Japan. Oki was visited by the American naturalistCharles Henry Gilbert in 1906.[9]
The population is approximately 20,000 inhabitants spread over the four municipalities of:
Oki Airport (airport code "OKI") lies on the southeastern part of Dōgo and provides air service toOsaka International Airport (Itami, "ITM") andIzumo Airport ("IZO").
The Oki islands can be reached byferries from harbours likeSakaiminato (Tottori Prefecture) and Shichirui (Shimane Prefecture) on the mainland. There are also frequent ferries operating between the Dōzen islands throughout the year.
| Photo | Name | Kanji | Area [km2] | Population | highest point [m] | Peak | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dōgo | 島後 | 241.58 | 14,300 | 608 | Mount Daimanji | 36°14′N133°17′E / 36.233°N 133.283°E /36.233; 133.283 (Dōgo) | |
| Nakanoshima | 中ノ島 | 32.21 | 2,300 | 164 | 36°5′N133°06′E / 36.083°N 133.100°E /36.083; 133.100 (Nakanoshima) | ||
| Nishinoshima | 西ノ島 | 55.97 | 2,800 | 452 | Takuhiyama | 36°6′N133°00′E / 36.100°N 133.000°E /36.100; 133.000 (Nishinoshima) | |
| Chiburijima | 知夫里島 | 13.7 | 640 | 325 | 36°1′N133°02′E / 36.017°N 133.033°E /36.017; 133.033 (Chiburijma) |
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