Hateruma
![]() Aerial view of Hateruma | |
![]() ![]() Hateruma 波照間島 | |
Geography | |
Archipelago | Yaeyama Islands |
Adjacent bodies of water | Pacific Ocean |
Area | 12.7 km2 (4.9 sq mi) |
Coastline | 14.8 km (9.2 mi) |
Highest elevation | 59.5 m (195.2 ft) |
Administration | |
Prefectures | Okinawa Prefecture |
District | Yaeyama |
Town | Taketomi |
Demographics | |
Ethnic groups | Ryukyuan, Japanese |
Hateruma (波照間島; Hateruma-jima; Yaeyama: Patirooma, Hateruma dialect: Besїma "our island", Okinawan: Hatiruma) is an island in the Yaeyama District of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.[1] Part of the town Taketomi, it is the southernmost inhabited island in Japan at 24°2’25" north latitude, 123°47’16" east longitude. Hateruma is one of the Yaeyama Islands, and is located 24 kilometres (15 mi) south of Iriomote-jima, the largest of the island group.[2]
Hateruma, which is composed of corals, has 12.7 km2 of area and approximately 600 inhabitants.
The primary products of the island include sugarcane, pineapple, refined sugar, and Awanami, a highly prized type of the alcoholic beverage awamori.[1] Its southern location makes it one of the few places in Japan where the Southern Cross can be observed.
Sights[]
Hateruma is visited by a comparatively high number of Japanese tourists from Ishigaki on day trips, as it boasts the southernmost tip of land of Japan. In addition, the southernmost school and the southernmost police station of Japan are tourist attractions. Further places of interest include:
- In the only village, several well-preserved old houses showing the traditional architecture with a hip roof, red tiles and a shisa statue on the top can be seen. Many old houses are still surrounded by a thick wall consisting of dark coral stones.
- In the village center, there is a memorial to Oyake Akahachi, a rebel who was born on Haterumajima around 1500. The memorial was erected on a platform of coral stones.
- One of the most interesting buildings on Haterumajima is the old watchtower Kodomori dating from the 17th century. It was used for observing the ships sailing to and from Ishigaki. As the top of the tower was one of the highest points of the flat island, it was used for smoke signals and for signal lights. A similar tower, which is called Puzumari, can be visited on the neighboring island Kuroshima.
- On the south coast, there is a memorial indicating the southernmost tip of land of Japan. The south coast is steep and the sea is very rough there.
- The north coast of Haterumajima is a favorite tourist destination, because of its fine sand.
Climate[]
Hateruma has a tropical climate, because all twelve months there have mean temperatures of at least 18 °C (64 °F).
hideClimate data for Hateruma (2000-2012) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Average high °C (°F) | 21 (70) |
22 (72) |
23 (73) |
26 (79) |
28 (82) |
31 (88) |
32 (90) |
32 (90) |
31 (88) |
29 (84) |
26 (79) |
23 (73) |
27 (81) |
Average low °C (°F) | 16 (61) |
16 (61) |
18 (64) |
21 (70) |
23 (73) |
26 (79) |
27 (81) |
27 (81) |
25 (77) |
23 (73) |
21 (70) |
18 (64) |
22 (71) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 151.3 (5.96) |
127.9 (5.04) |
158 (6.2) |
147.6 (5.81) |
209.8 (8.26) |
244 (9.6) |
118.1 (4.65) |
253.4 (9.98) |
308 (12.1) |
203.7 (8.02) |
150.7 (5.93) |
153.8 (6.06) |
2,226.3 (87.61) |
Average precipitation days | 25 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 253 |
Source: World Weather Online[3] |
Infrastructure[]
Hateruma Airport is located on the island, but is not currently served by any commercial flights. Haterujima is easily accessible by ferry from Ishigaki several times a day. There are several guest houses and some shops and restaurants on the island. Bikes are for hire at the harbor.
Education[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/HaterumaSchool.jpg/220px-HaterumaSchool.jpg)
The Taketomi town authorities maintain a single combined elementary and junior high school on the island: Hateruma Elementary and Junior High School (竹富町立波照間小中学校).[4]
For public senior high school students may attend schools of the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education.
Gallery[]
Monument at the southernmost point of Japan open to the public
Kodomori Tower
South Coast
Akahachi Memorial
Village center
Traditional architecture
The southernmost police station of Japan
North Coast
Harbour
See also[]
- Geography of Japan
- Japanese Archipelago
- List of extreme points of Japan
- Okinotorishima
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b "波照間島" [Hateruma]. Dijitaru Daijisen (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 56431036. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
- ^ "波照間島" [Hateruma]. Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 153301537. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
- ^ "Hateruma, Okinawa Monthly Climate Average, Japan". World Weather Online. Retrieved 2017-02-04.
- ^ "小中学校・小学校・中学校". Taketomi Town. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
Bibliography[]
- Yamakei: Ryukyu Nansei Shoto, p. 120-121. Tokio 2003. ISBN 4-635-01718-4
External links[]
- 美しき島々 ~波照間島~ (Japanese page)
- 美ら島物語 波照間島情報 (Japanese page)
Coordinates: 24°04′N 123°47′E / 24.067°N 123.783°E
![]() |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Haterumajima. |
- Extreme points of Japan
- Yaeyama Islands
- Islands of Okinawa Prefecture