Osakikamijima

It is an island in the Geiyo Islands in the Seto Inland Sea, located in the central-southern part of Hiroshima Prefecture. It belongs to Osakikamijima Town, Toyoda County. Its area is 38.36 square kilometers. It is located in the sea in front of Takehara City, facing Osaki Shimojima across the Akashi Strait to the south. Takehara Port and Tarumi Port are about 20 minutes away. It is also connected to Mihara City, Higashihiroshima City (Akitsu Port), and Imabari City by regular ferries. A mountain range with Mt. Kanmine (453 meters) as its highest peak stretches from the east to the south, and there are flatlands and reclaimed land on the west and north sides. It was the site of Osakisho during the Heian period, and was a treasury land of the Hiroshima Domain during the Edo period. Kinoe Port in the southeastern part of the island flourished as a port of call for motor sailing ships from the Meiji to Taisho periods. In addition to small and medium-sized shipbuilding, mandarin oranges, navel oranges, hassaku oranges, and vegetables are grown, and many people commute to Takehara City and other areas. Population: 8,676 (2009).

[Kitagawa Kenji]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

広島県中南部、瀬戸内海の芸予(げいよ)諸島の一島。豊田(とよた)郡大崎上島町に属する。面積38.36平方キロメートル。竹原市街前面の海上に位置し、南方の明石(あかし)瀬戸を隔てて大崎下島(しもじま)と対する。竹原港と垂水港間は約20分の距離にある。また三原市、東広島(ひがしひろしま)市（安芸津(あきつ)港）、今治(いまばり)市とも定期船で連絡する。神峰(かんのみね)山（453メートル）を最高峰とする山地が東部から南部にかけて延び、西側や北側に平地や干拓地がある。平安時代の大崎荘(しょう)の地で、江戸時代は広島藩蔵入地。島の南東部にある木江港は明治から大正にかけて機帆船の寄港地として栄えた。中小規模の造船業のほか、ミカン、ネーブル、ハッサク、野菜づくりが行われ、竹原市などへ通勤する者も多い。人口8676（2009）。

［北川建次］

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