Kumejima, Okinawa

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Template:Redirect Template:Redirect Template:Infobox settlement Template:Nihongo is a town located in Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The town consists of the islands of Kume, Ōjima, Ōhajima, Torishima, and Iōtorishima. Among the islands, only Kumejima and Ōjima are populated. Kumejima is located approximately Template:Convert west of Naha.<ref name="e" /> The town can be accessed by the New Kumejima Ferry, Japan Transocean Air, or Ryukyu Air Commuter. Kumejima Airport serves the island. Template:As of, the town had an estimated population of 7,192 and a population density of Template:Convert.<ref name="pop" /> The total area is Template:Cvt.

Kume Island is often said to be one of the most beautiful of the Okinawa Islands. 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. Kumejima's main industries are sugar cane (sato-kibi), tourism, and deep seawater products.<ref name="e" />

History

Historically due to Kume's abundance of freshwater, rice was once extensively cultivated. In 1506, the Ryukyu Kingdom invaded Kume under the leadership of Shō Shin.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> During Ryukyuan rule, Kume Island was often visited by Chinese envoys called "sapposhi" on their way to Shuri Castle on Okinawa Island. When the Ryukyu Kingdom was annexed by Japan, many noble families moved from Shuri to Kume.

At the end of World War 2, Japanese troops led by Tadashi Kayama refused to accept the surrender of Japan and killed 20 islanders suspected of being spies or collaborators, including a baby and children.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

An area of Template:Cvt of land and sea is protected as the Kumejima Prefectural Natural Park and Template:Cvt of wetland have been designated a Ramsar Site.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Numerous unique rock formations around the island can be viewed including Tatami Rocks, Bird Mouth Rock, Miifugaa, Garasaa Mountain, Tachijami, and the Yajiyagama Cave system.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Administrative divisions

The town includes twenty-seven wards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Div col

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Climate

Kumejima has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) bordering on a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen Af) with very warm summers and mild winters. Precipitation is abundant throughout the year; the wettest month is May and the driest month is July.

Template:Kumejima weatherbox

Education

Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education operates Template:Ill.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Kumejima Town operates municipal elementary and junior high schools.

Junior high schools:<ref name=Kumejimaschoollist>Template:Cite web</ref>

Elementary schools:<ref name=Kumejimaschoollist/>

Culture

Uezu House is a traditional Ryukyuan 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.

There are five castle sites on Kume Island that can be visited. The most prominent is Uegusuku Castle on Mount Uegusuku, which is the highest situated castle in Okinawa Prefecture. Gushikawa Castle is also designated a National Treasure.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Cultural Properties

There are sixty-three cultural properties in Kumejima Town.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

  • Name (Japanese) (Type of registration)

Cultural Properties

Folk Cultural Properties

Historic Sites

Places of scenic beauty

Natural Monuments

Deep Seawater and OTEC

Since 2001, the Okinawa Prefecture Deep Seawater Research Institute has researched the uses of deep seawater on Kumejima, fostering the development of new aquaculture and production industries totaling $20 million in yearly revenue. Due to the deep seawater resource, Kumejima now has the largest market share of Sea Grapes and Kuruma Prawns in Japan.<ref name=DSW />

In March 2013, Okinawa Prefecture completed the world's only fully operational Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Demonstration Facility. The facility is open to tours by appointment for free.<ref name=OTEC />

Sister cities

  • Tatami ishi
    Tatami ishi

References

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