Nii-jima

'Niijima' (新島) a volcanic island in the Izu Islands (伊豆諸島) and administered by the Tokyo (東京都) Metropolitan government, Japan, lies south of Tokyo and east of the Izu Pennisula, Shizuoka prefecture.

Geography

Niijima, with an area of 23 km² and a population of approximately 2700, lies 163km south of Tokyo. The island is the largest in Niijima-mura, or Niijima village, which also contains the smaller, neighboring Shikinejima, and the uninhabited Jinaijima. Niijima-mura is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. There are two communities on the island of Niijima: Honson (本村) in the center of the island and the smaller Wakago (若郷) on the northern tip of the island.

The highest point on the island is Mount Miyatsuka (432m). On the southern tip of Niijima, a launch site for experimental and sounding rockets at 34°20′N 139°16′E / 34.333°N 139.267°E / 34.333; 139.267 can be found.

Niijima, like much of the rest of Japan, is prone to earthquakes. According to the US Geological Survey map, the area around Niijima averages 10 - 20 earthquakes, with a magniture of 5 or greater, each year. As proof the this turbulent geological history, Niijima and Shikinejima were the same landmass as recently as the 18thC. In 1688 and again in 1704, tsunami forged the separate islands that exist today.

Access

It is approximately 2 hours away by jet boat from Takeshiba Sanbashi Pier, in Tokyo, operated by Tokai Kisen. Tokai Kisen also operate a 9-hour over-night ferry. The ferry leaves Takeshiba Sanbashi at 22h00 (23h00 in the summer months) and arrives early morning in Oshima (approximately 6h00), before continuing on to Toshima (7h00), Niijima (8h00), Shikinejima (8h30), and Kozushima (9h30). The ferry then returns falling the same route, leaving Niijima at 12h00 and docking in Tokyo at 17h00. It is possible that in rough weather, such as in the picture on the right, the ferry is unable to dock in Niijima.

There are daily flights, weather permitting, from Chofu Airport located in western, Tokyo. This flight takes approximately 45 mintues. The planes flown on this route are 10-seater turbo prop airplanes.

Other ferries leave from Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Finally, Niijima-mura operates a high-speed ferry between Niijima and Shikinejima.

Industry

Main industries in Niijima include fishing, construction, koga rock mining, and tourism. There is also some small scale farming. Niijima-mura has 3 elementary schools (2 on Niijima and 1 on Shikinejima), 2 junior high schools (1 on each island), and 1 high school, Tokyo-to Niijima High School.

Koga stone, a silica-based sandstone called rhyolite in English, found on the island, is used to make transparent green glass art. It can also be used to make moyai art. The stone is indigenous only to Niijima and Lipari Island, Italy.

Tourism

Sites

Maehama Beach on the western side of Niijima sees many wind surfers. The triathlon and ocean water swims (see below) take place here. Mt. Fuji can often be seen from Maehama.

Habushi Beach on the eastern side of the island, is a nationally protected reserve with its waves and white sand, and is a good location for surfing. The beach is approximately 6.5km long and is overlooked by koga volcanic cliffs, the highest of which is 250m.

Moyai Hill, overlooking Yunohama and Maehama beaches, contains more than 100 large stone carvings. In the local dialect, moyai means 'to work together in effort', and these statues make evident this effort. On the western side of JR Shibuya in Tokyo proper is a giant moyai statue, a gift from the people of Niijima.

Yunohama Onsen or hot spring, on Yunohama Beach, is a large outdoor bath built in the style of retro Greek ruins that provides stunning panoramic views of the setting sun and the Pacific Ocean. The bath itself accommodates up to 100 bathers. Water used in the bath is drawn from the ocean below.

Jyusansha Jinja, or shrine, lies at the base of the cliffs of Mt. Miyatsuka in the north-western corner of the main village on the island. This shrine, built in the Edo period, is recognized as caretakers of intangile cultural assets by the metropolitan government in Tokyo for the Shinto music and dancing, called kagura and chanting, known as shishi-kiyari that are held every December 8th.

Nearby Jyusansha is Choei-ji, Choei Temple, a temple dedicated to Nichiren Buddhism. Beside the temple lies the Exiles' Cemetery. The cemetery, covered with the local white sand, is dominated by the gravestones of the 118 exiles, banished to Niijima by the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo era for non-political crimes.

A short walk from Choei Temple is the Exile Execution Ground. Eleven exiles who committed crimes on the island were executed here. Komori Yasu, from the kabuki story 'Yowa Nasake Ukinano Yokoguchi' is buried here.

Niijima Glass Art Center is a world-renowned site which hosts the Niijima International Glass Art Festival every autumn. At the center, visitors are able to create their own glass work to take home. Next to the museum is the Niijima Glass Art Museum which houses works from guest artists at the festival.

Niijima-mura Museum, houses artifacts from the island’s pre-history up to its modern-day surfing culture. Included is a replica fishing vessel and house from the Edo period. Details of the criminal exiles is given. A collaborative effort between the education board and the English department at Niijima High School ensured that the museum is completely bilingual: Japanese-English.

Events

Niijima hosts the Tokyo Islands Triathlon in Niijima (1.5 km swim, 35km bicycle ride, and a 10km run) every May and the Niijima Open Water Swimming (1.5, 3, and 4.5km open water swims). In the summer months, a number of surfing competitions take place at Habushi Beach. Sport fishing and scuba diving are also popular with both residents and tourists.

Every autumn, the Niijima International Glass Art Festival takes place. The festival has taken place since 1988. The festival draws leading glass artists who lead workshops and demonstrations in glass art. Artists who have participated in the festival in the past include: Dale Chihuly, William Morris, and Lucio Bubaco. Work by the above artists, and many more, are on display in the museum.

Other

Other attractions on Niijima include: Ebine, a pinkish-purplish lily, can be found throughout the island, especially in Ebine Park, which opens from early spring; Niijima farm; a bowling alley; several tennis courts; and a sento, or public bath.

Souvenirs from Niijima include the island speciality kusaya - a dried fish, usually horse mackerel, that has been soaked in a special brine. Kusaya, which means smells bad in Japanese, has a odor that is indeed 'quite' distinct. The village museum has a video on the making of kusaya. If you can get past the smell, you will be rewarded with a rich, delicious meal. Other souvenirs are milk senbei, the ashitaba plant, Niijima glass art, and a local shochu called Shima Jiman, island pride.

External links

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