Miyakejima is an island in the Izu group, southeast of Honshu, Japan, administered by the Tokyo Metropolitan government, with an area of 55.50kmē. The island, 180km south of Tokyo, is located at 34.5N and 139.34E. As of January 1st, 2006, the population of the island is 2884. Like other islands in the Izu Island group, Miyakejima forms part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
Miyake Village serves as the local government of the island.
Mt. Oyama
The island is a basalt stratovolcanic in origin, and the main volcano, Mount Oyama, has erupted several times in recent history. A lava flow in 1940 killed 11 people, and other eruptions occurred in 1962 and 1983. On July 14, 2000, Mount Oyama began another series of eruptions, and by September, the island was completely evacuated. After a four-year period of volcanic emissions, residents were allowed to return permanently on February 1, 2005. After the eruption, there has been a constant flow of sulfuric gas coming from Mount Oyama (see link).
Culture and tourism
Miyakejima is famous for its traditional taiko performances, known as kamitsuki kiyari taiko, as well as being home to the rare endemic Izu Thrush (akakokko). The island is home to an unusually rich flora and fauna with several rare species of birds and animals, although its natural habitats are constantly under threat from human and volcanic activity. Underwater, the island is valued by divers for its coral reefs and marine fauna (including the dolphin population outside nearby Mikurajima).
The island was used as a penal colony during the Edo Period.
Access
The island is accessible by over-night ferry, the Sarubia Maru or the Camellia, which is operated by Tokai Kisen. The ferry departs from Takeshiba Sanbashi Pier, near Hammatsucho, Tokyo at 22:30 and arrives at Miyakejima at 5:00. There are also two helicopter flights operated by Tokyo Island Shuttle which originate in Aogashima and Izu Oshima and fly to Toshima, Miyakejima, Mikurajima, Hachijojima and Aogashima. In the past, there were flights from Haneda Airport with an approximate flying time of 50 minutes. However, the area is a high sulfuric gas volume area and flights have been suspended since before the July 14, 2000 eruption. There is also a helicopter that arrives via Izu Oshima.
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