Zamami, Okinawa

Zamami
座間味村
Village

Location of Zamami in Okinawa
Zamami

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 26°13′44″N 127°18′12″E / 26.22889°N 127.30333°ECoordinates: 26°13′44″N 127°18′12″E / 26.22889°N 127.30333°E
Country Japan
Region Kyushu
Prefecture Okinawa
District Shimajiri
Area
 • Total 16.74 km2 (6.46 sq mi)
Population (February 2013)
 • Total 924
 • Density 55.20/km2 (143.0/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Symbols
- Flower Kerama rhododendron
Website Village of Zamami

Zamami (座間味村 Zamami-son, Okinawan: Kushigiruma (後慶留間)) is a village located in Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The village consists of more than 20 islands approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) west of the prefectural capital of Naha.[1]

As of February 2013 the village had a population of 924 and a population density of 55.20 persons per km². The total area of the village of Zamami is 16.74 square kilometres (6.46 sq mi).[2][3]

Geography

The principal islands of the village of Zamami include Zamami (座間味島 Zamamijima), Aka (阿嘉島 Akajima), Geruma (慶留間島 Gerumajima), and Fukaji (外地島 Fukajijima).[1]

History

Zamami was settled as early as the shell midden period of the Ryukyu islands. The period corresponds roughly to the Jōmon period (14,000 – 300 BC) of the Japanese home islands. Shell middens in Zamami include the Furuzamami midden on Zamami Island and the Utaha midden on Aka Island.[3]

Zamami emerged under the Ryukyu Kingdom as the Jiyaman magiri. The magiri was a type of regional administrative district in Okinawa in the pre-modern period, and Jiyaman magiri, together with Tōkashichi magiri, controlled the Kerama Islands. Zamami was noted for its excellent port, and due to its proximity to Okinawa Island, was used as a port for trade with China during the fourteenth century.[3]

Prior to World War II the village was noted for the production of charcoal used in Naha. The village was noted for its numerous fisherman. Bonito fishing was introduced to Zamami in 1901, the first in Okinawa Prefecture, and the village became a center of katsuobushi, a dried bonito fillet essential to Japanese cuisine.[1] The island was among the first sovereign Japanese lands containing civilian inhabitants to be invaded by America during World War II. It was taken on March 26, 1945 along with other islands in the Kerama archipelago. Before and during the invasion, citizens of Zamami were ordered by the Japanese military to commit suicide using hand grenades.[1] Controversy surrounding this issue continues to this day. The American military used the Kerama islands as a base to launch their invasion of the main Okinawan island on April 1, 1945.

Economy

In stark contrast to its calamitous history at the end of World War II, Zamami is now known as a popular tourist destination.[3] Its economy is based almost entirely on tourism, and 92% of the population is employed in the tourism industry.[2] The main activities on Zamami are scuba-diving, snorkeling and sea kayaking. Furuzamami beach is popular for its crystal clear waters teeming with coral and fish. Many people flock to the island in winter and early spring for the chance to see humpback whales.[1] There are many locally operated sightseeing boats for this purpose, as well as observation gazebos located around the island. There are smaller, uninhabited islands nearby which are accessible by boat from Zamami's harbour. Visitors to Zamami often enjoy renting and riding motor scooters around the island's narrow, winding and picturesque mountain roads. Zamami is considered to have some of the most beautiful scenery in Okinawa prefecture.

Only 8.38 square kilometres (3.24 sq mi) of the Zamami is utilized as farmland, and the village has been reduced to only 35 farming families. The village produces small amounts of peanuts, papaya, potatoes, beef, and goat. The fishing industry is likewise in great decline, with only 42 households engaged in fishing. Mozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus), a type of edible seaweed popular in Okinawan cuisine, is the primary marine product of the village. The Port of Aka on Aka Island is the primary fishing port in the village.[2]

Transportation

Ferry

Zamami can be reached by ferry from Tomari Wharf, which is part of the larger Port of Naha.[3] The primary port in the village is the Port of Zamami, which opened in May 1972. The port is owned and operated by Okinawa Prefecture.[4] The standard Zamami ferry takes two hours, while the high speed passenger ferry, Queen Zamami III, takes 50 minutes to reach the islands from Naha. The Zamami ferry makes a brief stop at the island of Akajima, before completing the journey to Zamami. The Queen Zamami's schedule changes between its first and second trip of the day. The schedule, in English can be found here.

Air

The Kerama Islands are served by the Kerama Airport, located on Fukaji.[1]

In popular culture

Zamami was the setting for the manga IO (manga).

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "座間味（村）" [Zamami]. Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 153301537. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 座間味村インフォメーション [Information on Zamami Village] (in Japanese). Zamami, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan: Village of Zamami. 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "座間味村" [Village of Zamami]. Nihon Rekishi Chimei Taikei (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 173191044. Retrieved 2013-04-30.
  4. ↑ "座間味港" [Port of Zamami]. Dijitaru Daijisen (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 56431036. Retrieved 2013-02-01.

External links

Media related to Zamami, Okinawa at Wikimedia Commons