Nakadōri Island[1] (中通島 Nakadōrijima) is an island in the Gotō Islands, Japanese islands in the East China Sea, off the western coast of Kyūshū. The islands are a part of Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan. Nakadōrijima is often referred to as Kamigotō, but this is a misnomer.
Contents |
The island is roughly the same shape as a left hand held with the thumb and index finger extended. Thus, it is relatively long and narrow. From Aokata, a centrally located village, it is about 30 kilometers (19 mi) through what would be your index finger to the northernmost tip of the island. This region is mostly Shinuonome Town. From Aokata through what would be the thumb, it is about 12 kilometers .5 miles) to the northeast tip of the island where a small airport is located. This region is made up of Arikawa Town. What would be the palm is made up of Arikawa and Kamigotō Towns. While these distances are relatively short, the island is very mountainous. The roads are quite narrow and very curvy. Thus, about twice the normal time is needed for driving.
Kamigoto has been subject to two distinct periods of prosperity. These were the era of active trade with China until the 13th century and a more recent whaling boom that lasted until about fifty years ago. Both of these periods made this small rural area quite famous throughout Japan. The island has many interesting artifacts from both of these periods.
In August 2004, the five towns which formerly made up Kamigotō merged into a new town, appropriately named Shin Kamigotō Town (Shin means "new"). The former towns are now referred to as areas or districts (chiku).