Cape Irizaki
| Cape Irizaki 西崎 Irizaki | |
|---|---|
 Cape Irizaki | |
| Country | Japan |
| Offshore water bodies | East China Sea |
| Coordinates | 24°26′58″N 122°56′01″E / 24.44944°N 122.93361°ECoordinates: 24°26′58″N 122°56′01″E / 24.44944°N 122.93361°E |
| Area | .3 km2 (0.12 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 50 m (160 ft) |
| [1][2] | |
Cape Irizaki (西崎 Irizaki) is the western tip of Yonaguni Island and the westernmost point in Japan. The cape is within the town of Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture.[1][2][3]
There is a lighthouse, an observation platform, and a monument titled "Monument of the Westernmost Point of Japan" (日本最西端の碑 Nihon Saiseitan no Ishibumi) on the cape. Tourists gather at the cape daily to see, as the westernmost point in the country, the final sunset in Japan.[3][4]
Geography
Cape Irizaki is 0.37 kilometres (0.23 mi) wide, 0.7 kilometres (0.43 mi) long, and juts into the East China Sea northwest from Yonaguni Island. The cape reaching a height of 50 metres (160 ft), and is surrounded by sea cliffs. Taiwan, which is about 110 kilometres (68 mi) kilometers to the west, is visible on a clear day. Kubaradake (191.5 metres (628 ft)), and the fishing port and settlement of Kubaradake are visible to the east of the cape. The Black Current flows west of Cape Irizaki to the north, and is a rich fishing ground for marlin and skipjack tuna.[1][2]
Cape Irizaki, like much of the Yaeyama Islands, is composed of sandstone and mudstone. The cape is devoid of trees due to constant strong winds. Unlike other areas of the Yaeyama Islands, the Cape Irizaki is surrounded by very little coral reef.[1]
History
Cape Irizaki is first mentioned in Shōhō Kuniezu, a kuniezu, or series of Japanese provincial land maps created during the Edo period (1603 – 1868). The Shōhō Kuniezu, which was compiled beginning in 1644, lists the cape as "Ire no Zaki".[1]
Transportation
Cape Irizaki is open to the public, and is easily accessible by foot from the settlement of Kubaradake. The cape is approximately one hour by car from Yonaguni Airport.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "西崎" [Irizaki]. Nihon Rekishi Chimei Taikei (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 173191044. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "与那国島" [Yonaguni]. Nihon Rekishi Chimei Taikei (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 173191044. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "西崎" [Irizaki] (in Japanese). Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan: Yonagunijima.net. 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
- ↑ "西崎" [Irizaki] (in Japanese). Yonaguni, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan: Mitsuharu Kaneko. 2002. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
See also
- Extreme points of Japan