Kumejima, Okinawa
| Kumejima 久米島町 | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 | |
 | |
  Kumejima | |
| Coordinates: 26°20′27″N 126°48′18″E / 26.34083°N 126.80500°ECoordinates: 26°20′27″N 126°48′18″E / 26.34083°N 126.80500°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kyushu (Ryukyu) |
| Prefecture | Okinawa Prefecture |
| District | Shimajiri |
| Area | |
| • Total | 63.5 km2 (24.5 sq mi) |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 8,548 |
| • Density | 130/km2 (350/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) |
| Website | Town of Kumejima |
Kumejima (久米島町 Kumejima-chō, Okinawan: Kumijima) is a town located in Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The town is on the islands of Kumejima, Ōjima, Ōhajima, Torishima, and Iōtorishima. Among the islands, only Kumejima and Ōjima are populated.
As of 2012, the town had an estimated population of 8,548 and a population density of 130 persons per km².[1] The total area is 63.50 km².
Kumejima is located approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi) west of Naha.[2] The town can be accessed by the New Kumejima Ferry, Japan Transocean Air, or Ryukyu Air Commuter. It is well known for its textiles, called Kumejima-tsumugi which are designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property. The town is also known for its Kumesen Awamori (Okinawan sake) and deep sea water.
Historically due to Kumejima's abundance of freshwater, rice was once extensively cultivated. Recently however Kumejima's main industry is sugar cane (sato-kibi) and tourism.[2]
Kumejima is often said to be one of the most beautiful of the Okinawa Islands. During the time of the Ryūkyū Kingdom, Kumejima was often visited by Chinese envoys called "sapposhi" on their way to Shuri Castle on Okinawa Island. When the Ryūkyū kingdom was abolished by Japan, many noble families were moved from Shuri to Kumejima.
Kumejima Airport serves the island.
Geography
An area of 119 km² of land and sea is protected as the Kumejima Prefectural Natural Park and 255 ha of wetland have been designated a Ramsar Site.[3][4]
Climate
Kumejima has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with very warm summers and mild winters. Precipitation is abundant throughout the year; the wettest month is May and the driest month is December.
| Climate data for Kumejima | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 18.5 (65.3) |
18.9 (66) |
20.9 (69.6) |
23.9 (75) |
26.4 (79.5) |
28.7 (83.7) |
31.0 (87.8) |
30.8 (87.4) |
29.9 (85.8) |
27.0 (80.6) |
23.9 (75) |
20.5 (68.9) |
25.03 (77.05) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 15.9 (60.6) |
16.3 (61.3) |
18.2 (64.8) |
21.2 (70.2) |
23.8 (74.8) |
26.3 (79.3) |
28.4 (83.1) |
28.1 (82.6) |
27.0 (80.6) |
24.5 (76.1) |
21.5 (70.7) |
18.0 (64.4) |
22.43 (72.38) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 13.1 (55.6) |
13.6 (56.5) |
15.4 (59.7) |
18.6 (65.5) |
21.4 (70.5) |
24.1 (75.4) |
25.9 (78.6) |
25.4 (77.7) |
24.3 (75.7) |
22.0 (71.6) |
19.2 (66.6) |
15.3 (59.5) |
19.86 (67.74) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 148.6 (5.85) |
137.6 (5.417) |
173.5 (6.831) |
181.6 (7.15) |
295.1 (11.618) |
268.8 (10.583) |
162.0 (6.378) |
201.1 (7.917) |
162.6 (6.402) |
172.5 (6.791) |
142.8 (5.622) |
130.1 (5.122) |
2,176.3 (85.681) |
| % humidity | 70 | 72 | 75 | 78 | 83 | 85 | 82 | 82 | 80 | 73 | 71 | 69 | 76.7 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 81.2 | 76.7 | 101.4 | 138.6 | 139.0 | 169.7 | 261.3 | 240.9 | 211.1 | 172.6 | 107.3 | 94.2 | 1,794 |
| Source: NOAA (1961-1990) [5] | |||||||||||||
Culture
Uezu House is a traditional Ryukyu Governor's house dating back hundreds of years. The walled grounds contain gardens, a main house, and outlying buildings. The house is a quiet and peaceful look back into the history of Okinawa.[6]
In order to maintain and preserve the historic estate, there is a 300 yen entry fee for adults, payable at the house. If an attendant is not available, it is customary to leave the amount in a tray.
Gallery
-
Tatami ishi
References
- ↑ "久米島の人口・世帯数" [Populations and Households of Kumejima] (in Japanese). Kumejima, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan: Town of Kumejima. 2012. Retrieved Jan 27, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Kumejima". Encyclopedia of Japan. Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 56431036. Retrieved 2013-01-27.
- ↑ "Kumejima Prefectural Natural Park". Okinawa Prefecture. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
- ↑ "Ramsar Sites in Japan - Streams in Kume-jima". Ministry of the Environment. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
- ↑ "Kumejima Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
- ↑ "Uezu Historic House". Retrieved August 17, 2012.
External links
Media related to Kumejima, Okinawa at Wikimedia Commons
- Kumejima official website (Japanese)