Shiraishi Island

It is one of the Kasaoka Islands off the southwest coast of Okayama Prefecture. There was one island and one village, but in 1955 (Showa 30), it was incorporated into Kasaoka City. The port in the northern part of the island is one of the key ports in the Seto Inland Sea and was also a port of call during the sankin-kotai system. The entire island is part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park and has been designated a national place of scenic beauty. Yoroiwa Rock in the center of the island is a nationally designated natural monument. The Shiraishi Dance, which is performed during the Bon Festival in August, is a nationally designated important intangible folk cultural property. There is a swimming beach and nature trails, and the main occupations of the islanders are agriculture and tourism. There are service boats from Kasaoka Port and Fushigoe Port. Population 670 (2009).

[Shogo Yuihama]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

岡山県南西部沖合いにある笠岡(かさおか)諸島の一つ。1島1村であったが、1955年（昭和30）笠岡市に編入。島の北部にある港は瀬戸内海の要津(ようしん)の一つで、参勤交代の寄港地でもあった。全域瀬戸内海国立公園域で、また国の名勝に指定されている。島の中央にある鎧(よろい)岩は国指定天然記念物。8月の盆に行われる白石踊は国指定重要無形民俗文化財。海水浴場、自然遊歩道があり、島民のおもな生業は農業と観光である。笠岡港、伏越港から便船がある。人口670（2009）。

［由比浜省吾］

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