Ōshima (Aomori)
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大島 | |
|---|---|
 Oshima Island as seen from Nastsudomari Peninsula | |
  Ōshima | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Mutsu Bay |
| Coordinates | 41°0′47.4″N 140°52′27.1″E / 41.013167°N 140.874194°E |
| Area | 0.16 km2 (0.062 sq mi) |
| Coastline | 3 km (1.9 mi) |
| Administration | |
Japan | |
| Prefecture | Aomori Prefecture |
| District | Higashitsugaru |
| Municipality | Hiranai |
Ōshima (Japanese: 大島, Hepburn: Ōshima) is a rocky island off the northern coast of Natsudomari Peninsula in Mutsu Bay. The island is a part of Hiranai in Aomori Prefecture. The island has 3 km (1.9 mi) of coastline and an area of 0.16 km2 (0.062 sq mi). It is a part of the prefecture-maintained, Asamushi-Natsudomari Prefectural Natural Park.
The island lies only 200 meters north of Natsudomari Peninsula in Mutsu Bay. It was once possible to walk from the island to the peninsula at low-tide, but erosion made this impossible over time.
The island is forested on its southern half, while its northern half is covered in grassland. The grassland was used for pastoral farming before the island was designated a natural park.
Geology
History
During the time the Tsugaru clan ruled the area, the island was known as Ōmasaki (大間崎; 大 Ō "large", 間 ma "space", and 崎 saki "cape"), reflecting that it was viewed as a cape historically rather than an island due to being able to walk to the island during low-tide.[3]
In May 1949, a lighthouse was built on the northern side of the island.[4] The island was designated as a part of Asamushi-Natsudomari Prefectural Natural Park in June 1953.[5]