Mikurajima
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mikurajima Village's location in Tokyo (Miyake), Japan. |
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Location | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Kantō |
Prefecture | Tokyo (Miyake) |
District | None |
Physical characteristics | |
Area | 20.58 km² (7.95 sq mi) |
Population (as of May 2008) | |
Total | 296 |
Density | 14.4 /km² (37 /sq mi) |
Location | |
Symbols | |
Flag |
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Mikurajima Village Government Office | |
Mayor | Hisao Hirose |
Address | 〒100-1301 Aza Irikanegasawa, Mikurajima-mura, Tōkyō-to |
Phone number | 04994-8-2121 |
Official website: Mikurajima Village |
Mikurajima (御蔵島?) is a volcanic island in the Izu Archipelago, in Japan, and is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Mikurajima lies south of Tokyo and south-east of the Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka prefecture.
Mikurajima Village (御蔵島村 Mikurajima-mura?), under the Tokyo Metropolitan government, serves as the government of the island. The village also governs the uninhabited Inanba Island.
Mikurajima has an area of 20.58 km² and a population of approximately 300. The island has no major harbor. Due to the low population and limited number of visitors, the natural habitat remains relatively untainted. Oyama Mountain is the highest point on the island and the island's largest spring forms Shirataki (white falls) waterfall that drops 80m into the Pacific Ocean below.
The island is home to the Nioiebine Orchid as well as a large flock of Streaked Shearwater. Dolphins inhabit the waters around Mikurajima. Dolphin watching tours during the summer months have been offered from Miyakejima. The crossing from Miyake to Mikura takes about 45 minutes by fishing vessel. There are also tours from Mikurajima.
Apart from the dolphin tours, access to the island is limited to the Tokai Kisen ferry that sails from Miyakejima and helicopter, as there is also a heliport.