The small volcanic island of Shikinejima, in the Philippine Sea, is administered by Ōshima sub-prefecture in Tokyo. Famed for its idyllic sandy beaches and natural hot springs.
Shikinejima: one of the “seven islands of Tokyo”
Shikinejima, 160 km from Tokyo, forms part of the Izu archipelago. This group of volcanic islands is known as the “seven islands of Tokyo”, although there are a dozen of them (only nine of which are inhabited).
The island is especially popular in spring and summer for water activities and hikes in unspoiled nature. There is no road traffic so everything happens on foot or bike. The azure blue of the ocean gives divers and snorkellers enormous pleasure.
Shinkinejima’s naturally wild hot springs delight visitors. Some of them, such as Jinata Onsen, are only accessible at certain times of day. At low tide the water can be really hot, but as it mixes with the rising tide the temperature drops to a bearable level.
The highest point is Mount Kamibiki, 99 metres above sea level. At its summit, the most popular observatory on the island offers views of the coastal rias (river inlets open to the sea) from the Izu peninsula to Mount Fuji in good weather.
During the Edo period (1603–1868) Shikinejima was uninhabited. It seems that the island was used as a temporary port for transporting exiles to the islands of Niijima and Hachijojima. After the Meiji restoration, the people of Niijima asked for ownership of Shikinejima, which they regularly visited to enjoy its natural resources. The islands, initially attached to Shizuoka prefecture, were transferred to Tokyo in 1887. The first occupation of Shikinejima dates back only a hundred years.
The Kannamboushi legend
Kannamboushi is a type of ghost from the Izu islands. Local legend holds that a state official was very strict about collecting taxes. The residents, in great financial difficulty, couldn’t pay their dues.
Some of them, in a quandary over this state of affairs, decided to get rid of the official. They advised him to take a boat around the island one day when the sea was very rough. He fell for their plan and was engulfed by the waves.
Since then, his vengeful spirit is said to torment the locals every year on 24 January. They make a habit of staying at home that day, just to be on the safe side.
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