Kurahashi Island

An island located in the southwest of Hiroshima Prefecture, at the entrance to Hiroshima Bay. It is connected to Kegoya in Kure City via the Ondo Bridge to the north, to Nomi Island and Etajima via the Hayase Bridge to the west, and to Kashima via the Kashima Bridge to the south. It has an area of ​​69.56 square kilometers and a population of 22,222 (2000). Formerly called Nagato Island, it is part of Kure City. The entire island is made of granite and is dominated by mountainous areas 200 to 400 meters above sea level. The coastline is rich in inlets and outlets, and there are settlements at the back of the coves. The southern part of the island has beautiful scenery and is part of the Setonaikai National Park. Motoura and other areas have long been known for the manufacture of wooden ships, and Katsurahama and Karowatari have long been known as port towns. The land is terraced and cultivated up to the summit, where mandarin oranges, potatoes, vegetables, etc. are grown. Coastal fishing, oyster, seaweed, and yellowtail farming, and stone loading are also carried out.

[Kitagawa Kenji]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

広島県南西部、広島湾の入口にある島。北は音戸(おんど)大橋を経て呉(くれ)市警固屋(けごや)に、西は早瀬(はやせ)大橋を経て能美島(のうみじま)・江田島(えたじま)、南は鹿島(かしま)大橋で鹿島に続く。面積69.56平方キロメートル、人口2万2222（2000）。かつては長門島(ながとしま)とよばれ、呉市に属する。全島花崗(かこう)岩からなり、標高200～400メートルの山地で占められる。海岸線は出入りに富み、入り江の奥に集落がある。島の南部は景観に優れ瀬戸内海国立公園の一部となっている。本浦などは古くから木造船の製造が盛んであり、また桂浜(かつらはま)や鹿老渡(かろうと)は古くから港町として知られた。山頂まで階段状に耕され、ミカンのほかジャガイモ、野菜などが栽培される。沿岸漁業やカキ、ノリ、ハマチの養殖、石材の積み出しなども行われる。

［北川建次］

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