Ieshima, Hyōgo

Infobox settlement
official_name = Ieshima
native_name = 家島町
area_land_km2 = 20.27
population_as_of = February 1, 2006
population_total = 7,915
population_density_km2 = 390

nihongo|Ieshima|家島町|Ieshima-chō is a town located in Shikama District, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. It actually is a group of 40 small islands (4 bigger ones and 36 small ones) about 15 to 18 kilometers off the coast of Himeji and Akō. Ieshima is one of the big islands but the name "Ieshima Town" serves as a name for the whole conglomeration of islands. On March 27, 2006, the municipality of Ieshima became a part of Himeji City and is no longer being treated as a separate municipality.

Main islands

*Ieshima (家島): 5.46 km², about 5,000 inhabitants
*Bozeshima (坊勢島): 1.87 km², about 3,000 inhabitants
*Nishishima (西島): 6.59 km², about 100 inhabitants
*Tangashima (男鹿島): 4.57 km², about 150 inhabitants

Most of the population lives on Ieshima (60%) and Bozeshima. Tangashima and Nishishima are being quarried for more than 100 years now. About one third of the mountains on those islands are already shredded down. The eastern part of Nishishima, called Hahatokonoshima (mother and child island) is being maintained as a camping and recreation ground with facilities for whole school classes. It is necessary to apply and pay a fee for accessing the island of Hahatokonoshima.

Transport

All four main islands can be reached in 30-45 minutes by ship from Himeji port.

Gallery

External links

* [http://www.city.himeji.hyogo.jp/ieshima/ Official website] in Japanese
* [http://www.hahatokonoshima.com/ Website for Hahatokonoshima with price information] in Japanese