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level as the island's highest peak. Mount
Amagidake in the north has a height of 533 meters (1,749 ft). The administrative town of Isen along the southwestern slope of the island is more flat, with fertile soil suitable for agriculture. The coast of the island is largely rugged and rocky with small sandy beaches scattered throughout as well as a series of large cliffs on the southwest edge of the island. The island is surrounded by a
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The main highway on the island is
Kagoshima Prefecture Highway 80, which traverses the island from Tokunoshima Airport and Amagi to Kametsu and then follows the southeastern coast of the island to Isen. From Isen, Highway 83 crosses the southeast area of the island to Amagi. Highway 629 follows the
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The island is of volcanic origin with a length of approximately 25 kilometers (16 mi) and width of 18 kilometers (11 mi). Most of the administrative towns of
Tokunoshima and Amagi are covered in mountains and rolling hills, with Mount Inokawadake at 645 meters (2,116 ft) above sea
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Tokunoshima has a culture that reflects a mix of
Japanese and Ryukyuan influences, with much influence from the neighboring Amami islands and from Okinawa to the south. The local cuisine of the island combines standard Japanese fare with Okinawan dishes such as
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Tokunoshima is a popular tourist destination. Hiking is discouraged because of the habu snake, but the mountain trails are exotic and beautiful. The beaches are also quite stunning, and the island's coastline includes several notable natural landmarks.
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northern coast of the island from
Tokunoshima Airport to the village of Kedoku. Highway 617 is an inland route between Kametsu and the village of Itokina, while Highway 618 connects Kedoku to the village of Matsubara through the village of Todoroki.
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on Amami. When waves are too strong on the
Pacific side of the island, where Kametoku is located, the Kametoku ferries will instead land at Hetono port. Small ports primarily used by fishing or sightseeing boats exist elsewhere along the shoreline.
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On the island's north coast, Mushiroze, a striking area of chiseled stone slabs set against the ocean, is a rare example of granite rock on a predominantly volcanic and coral island. The area is named for the way the flat stone slabs resemble
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Another notable seaside attraction is
Innojofuta, an area of jagged, eroded coral rock with dramatic ocean vistas. At Innojofuta, a distinctive pair of eroded windows in the rock known as Megane-Iwa (Spectacles Rock) overlooks the ocean.
323:. The largest population center on the island is the town of Kametsu, located along the eastern shore of the island within the administrative town of Tokunoshima. Much of the island is within the borders of
407:, although many areas have been extensively cleared for agriculture. There are many caves on the island, the longest of which measures 2,052 meters (6,732 ft) and is located in the area of Isen.
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A series of large offshore rocks known as
Tonbura Rocks are a prominent feature in the ocean off the northeastern coast of the island. The neighboring islands of Amami Ōshima,
550:, leading to widespread protests and opposition from local officials. A protest against this plan in 2010 drew 16,000 people, more than half of the island's population.
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Much of the island is included within Amami Guntō National Park, established in 2017 (replacing Amami Guntō Quasi-National Park, established in 1974).
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The island, 247.77 km (95.66 sq mi) in area, has a population of approximately 27,000. The island is divided into three administrative
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Cape
Inutabu, the westernmost point of the island, features a stunning ocean view and a memorial, built in April 1968, to the Japanese battleship
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482:. Several archaeological sites where Kamui ware was produced have been found on the island. These sites are now national historic sites.
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to the northeast and
Okinoerabujima to the southwest are all visible from the island. On exceptionally clear days, the twin volcanoes of
602:("island language"). However, the language has now largely been supplanted by standard Japanese. The Tokunoshima words for "thank you,"
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The port of Kametoku, located adjacent to Kametsu in the administrative town of Tokunoshima, has regular ferry service to the towns of
403:. Although Tokunoshima is subtropical, it receives sufficient rainfall that it has rainforests. Much of the island remains covered in
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421:) with very warm summers and mild winters. The rainy season lasts from May through September. The island is subject to frequent
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is a major event on the island and much of the island's culture revolves around the bullfights. Because of the importance of
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is found only on Tokunoshima and Amami Ōshima and is listed as endangered. The Amami rabbit is sometimes called a
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was exiled to Tokunoshima in 1862 for less than two months, before he was resentenced to harsher conditions on
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archipelagos. Isolated from the other Amami islands, Tokunoshima is located halfway between Amami Ōshima and
828:
Hellyer. Robert. Defining Engagement: Japan and Global Contexts, 1640–1868. Harvard University Press (2009)
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in 1624. Satsuma rule was harsh, with the inhabitants of the island reduced to serfdom and forced to raise
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to meet high taxation, which often resulted in famine. In a famine in 1755, some 3000 islanders perished.
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The island is known for having the highest birth rates in Japan as well as a significant population of
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It is uncertain when Tokunoshima was first settled. It is mentioned in the ancient Japanese chronicle
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because it represents an ancient Asian lineage that has elsewhere disappeared. Also endangered is the
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on Okinoerabu. From Amami, the ferry continues to Kagoshima. From Okinoerabu, the ferry continues to
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that has been found in hundreds of archaeological sites throughout the Ryukyu Islands and southern
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in 1609 and its incorporation into the official holdings of that domain was recognized by the
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Starting in the 11th century, Tokunoshima was the primary producer of a grey stoneware called
354:, and the 15th largest island in Japan. It is more generally included within the Satsunan and
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and her escorts, which were sunk near Tokunoshima during the final stages of World War II.
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as well. The smaller port of Hetono, in the town of Amagi, has ferries to Kagoshima and to
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The economy of the island revolves around agriculture, primarily the growth of
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The Return of the Amami Islands: The Reversion Movement and U.S.-Japan Relati
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offered the use of Tokunoshima to the United States as a relocation site for
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Tokunoshima is the second largest island in the Amami islands, after
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are also grown. Sugar cane is processed at several factories into
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to the island itself or more generally to the Amami islands. The
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is also important, as is tourism and some light manufacturing.
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until 1953, at which time it reverted to the control of Japan.
610:(Isen town) are widely known even among Japanese speakers.
453:, are also found. The island is also home to the venomous
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The Last Samurai: The Life and Battles of Saigo Takamori
796:"Geological and Biological History of the Amami Islands"
532:, with the other Amami Islands, it was occupied by the
334:(people living significantly beyond the age of 100).
565:. A popular musical instrument on the island is the
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868:Activists, Alliances, and Anti-U.S. Base Protests
19:For the indigenous language of the island, see
410:The climate of Tokunoshima is classified as a
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671:and at several distilleries into brown sugar
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433:Tokunoshima is home to several rare species
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586:The indigenous language of the island, the
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627:, Tokunoshima's mascot and main icon is a
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485:Until 1624, Tokunoshima was part of the
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571:, an Okinawan relative of the Japanese
136:247.77 km (95.66 sq mi)
870:. Cambridge University Press. (2011)
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840:The Most Daring Raid of the Samurai
778:, Teikoku-Shoin Co., Ltd., Tokyo,
606:(Tokunoshima and Amagi towns) and
398:subtropical moist broadleaf forest
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776:Teikoku's Complete Atlas of Japan
56:Aerial view of the island. (2011)
842:. Rosen Publishing Group (2011)
548:Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
1056:Islands of Kagoshima Prefecture
699:and Okinawa. Ferries exist to
577:, and the Okinawan folk dance
1:
655:, and tropical fruit such as
416:Köppen climate classification
233:108.97/km (282.23/sq mi)
818:ons. Levington Books (2004)
594:, is known on the island as
489:. The island was invaded by
16:Island within Ryukyu Islands
393:, can be seen to the west.
281:, also known in English as
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888:Tokunoshima Visitors Guide
396:The island falls within a
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613:Tokunoshima is known for
524:and later became part of
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412:humid subtropical climate
325:Amami Guntō National Park
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168:645 m (2116 ft)
152:18 km (11.2 mi)
144:25 km (15.5 mi)
61:
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160:80 km (50 mi)
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346:Tokunoshima relief map
165:Highest elevation
107:27.82000°N 128.93222°E
447:Tokunoshima spiny rat
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526:Kagoshima Prefecture
298:Kagoshima Prefecture
288:is an island in the
200:Kagoshima Prefecture
21:Tokunoshima language
838:Turnbull, Stephen.
712:Tokunoshima Airport
112:27.82000; 128.93222
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1001:Eniyabanare Island
720:Japan Air Commuter
677:Commercial fishing
499:Tokugawa shogunate
391:Okinawa Prefecture
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173:Highest point
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848:978-1-4488-1872-3
730:Local attractions
598:or, in Japanese,
588:Ryukyuan language
518:Meiji Restoration
332:supercentenarians
290:Amami archipelago
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583:is practiced.
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544:Yukio Hatoyama
541:Prime Minister
522:Ōsumi Province
511:Okinoerabujima
507:Saigō Takamori
495:Satsuma Domain
487:Ryukyu Kingdom
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950:Amami Ōshima
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801:13 September
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230:Pop. density
217:Demographics
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1011:Kiyamashima
1006:Hanmyashima
996:Edatekujima
989:Uninhabited
970:Tokunoshima
669:brown sugar
592:Tokunoshima
468:Nihon Shoki
451:Lidth's jay
387:Iōtorishima
313:Tokunoshima
277:Tukunushima
267:Tokunoshima
254:Tokunoshima
196:Prefectures
176:Inokawadake
123:Archipelago
110: /
98:128°55′56″E
86:Coordinates
43:Tukunushima
40:Tokunoshima
34:Native name
27:Tokunoshima
1045:Categories
1016:Sukomojima
876:1107002478
862:1118045564
834:0674035771
824:0739107100
763:References
641:sugar cane
608:oboradanii
604:oboradaren
600:shimaguchi
516:After the
503:sugar cane
476:Kamui ware
455:habu snake
368:coral reef
222:Population
95:27°49′12″N
980:Yoronjima
960:Yoroshima
945:Kikaijima
938:Inhabited
539:In 2006,
401:ecoregion
379:Yoroshima
338:Geography
157:Coastline
71:Geography
705:Setouchi
693:Wadomari
596:sïmagucï
574:shamisen
423:typhoons
259:Japanese
246:Japanese
242:Ryukyuan
206:District
76:Location
965:Ukejima
741:mushiro
665:bananas
657:mangoes
635:Economy
590:called
568:sanshin
554:Culture
491:samurai
461:History
435:endemic
383:Ukejima
931:Island
874:
860:
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832:
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782:
749:Yamato
673:shōchū
663:, and
661:papaya
653:ginger
631:bull.
480:Kyūshū
356:Ryukyu
319:, and
272:トゥクヌシマ
141:Length
697:Yoron
629:tōgyū
625:tōgyū
621:Tōgyū
616:tōgyū
493:from
429:Fauna
389:, in
321:Amagi
309:towns
302:Japan
188:Japan
149:Width
38:徳之島,
872:ISBN
858:ISBN
844:ISBN
830:ISBN
820:ISBN
803:2019
780:ISBN
718:and
701:Kobe
689:Naze
649:rice
580:eisa
317:Isen
133:Area
419:Cfa
296:of
263:徳之島
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