Tairajima
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Native name: Japanese: 平島 | |
|---|---|
 Aerial photograph of Tairajima | |
 Interactive map of Tairajima | |
| Geography | |
| Location | East China Sea |
| Coordinates | 29°41′16.1″N 129°31′42.1″E / 29.687806°N 129.528361°E |
| Archipelago | Tokara Islands |
| Area | 2.08 km2 (0.80 sq mi) |
| Length | 1.5 km (0.93 mi) |
| Width | 1.0 km (0.62 mi) |
| Coastline | 7.23 km (4.493 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 242.9 m (796.9 ft) |
| Administration | |
Japan | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 89 (2020) |
| Pop. density | 42.78/km2 (110.8/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Japanese |
Tairajima (平島), is one of the Tokara Islands, a sub-group of the Satsunan Islands belonging to Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The island, 2.08 km² in area, has a population of 89 persons. The island can only be reached by boat as it has no airport; there is a ferry service twice per week to the city of Kagoshima on the mainland and Naze in Amami Oshima. Travel time is about 9 hours to Kagoshima and 6 to Amami Oshima. The islanders are dependent mainly on fishing, seasonal tourism, and agriculture.
Tairajima is located 32 kilometres (17 nmi) southwest of Nakanoshima, and is the second smallest inhabited islands in the archipelago. The island has an area of approximately 2.08 square kilometres (0.80 sq mi) with a length of about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) and a width of 1.0 kilometre (0.62 mi). The highest elevation on the island is 242.9 metres (797 ft) above sea level. Its climate is classified as subtropical, with a rainy season from May through September. The island has one onsen, a post office, and a community center.
