Okushiri Island
Town | Okushiri | |
---|---|---|
Demographics | ||
Population | 3343 (2009-03-31) | |
Pop. density | 23.4/km2 (60.6/sq mi) | |
Ethnic groups | Japanese |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Okushiri_Island_Aerial_photograph.2017.jpg/220px-Okushiri_Island_Aerial_photograph.2017.jpg)
Okushiri Island (奥尻島, Okushiri-tō) is an island in
Etymology
The name Okushiri comes from the Ainu name I-kus-un-sir (イクㇱウンシㇼ). The phonetic word ikus(un) means other side and sir means island.[1][2] However, the Japanese meaning of the two kanji used for the name mean "deep inside/innermost" and "buttocks/hips".
Geography
Okushiri Island is located roughly 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of mainland Hokkaido. It is oval in shape with a coastline of 84 kilometers (52.2 miles). The island spans 27 kilometers (16.8 miles) from north to south, and 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from east to west. Mount Kamui is the island's highest peak, and reaches 584 meters (1,916 feet).
Climate
Climate data for Okushiri, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1976–present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 9.6 (49.3) |
12.9 (55.2) |
14.5 (58.1) |
21.5 (70.7) |
23.1 (73.6) |
26.4 (79.5) |
31.2 (88.2) |
33.2 (91.8) |
30.9 (87.6) |
23.8 (74.8) |
19.0 (66.2) |
14.6 (58.3) |
33.2 (91.8) |
Mean maximum °C (°F) | 6.7 (44.1) |
7.6 (45.7) |
11.4 (52.5) |
16.3 (61.3) |
20.3 (68.5) |
23.6 (74.5) |
27.2 (81.0) |
28.8 (83.8) |
26.8 (80.2) |
21.3 (70.3) |
16.8 (62.2) |
10.5 (50.9) |
29.3 (84.7) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 1.6 (34.9) |
1.9 (35.4) |
5.3 (41.5) |
10.0 (50.0) |
14.6 (58.3) |
19.0 (66.2) |
22.9 (73.2) |
25.4 (77.7) |
22.6 (72.7) |
16.6 (61.9) |
10.0 (50.0) |
3.9 (39.0) |
12.8 (55.0) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −0.4 (31.3) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
3.0 (37.4) |
7.4 (45.3) |
11.7 (53.1) |
16.0 (60.8) |
20.1 (68.2) |
22.5 (72.5) |
20.0 (68.0) |
14.2 (57.6) |
7.6 (45.7) |
1.7 (35.1) |
10.3 (50.5) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −2.4 (27.7) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
0.7 (33.3) |
5.0 (41.0) |
9.3 (48.7) |
13.6 (56.5) |
17.9 (64.2) |
20.1 (68.2) |
17.5 (63.5) |
11.8 (53.2) |
5.1 (41.2) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
8.0 (46.4) |
Mean minimum °C (°F) | −7.5 (18.5) |
−7.5 (18.5) |
−4.5 (23.9) |
0.5 (32.9) |
4.9 (40.8) |
9.4 (48.9) |
14.0 (57.2) |
16.4 (61.5) |
12.5 (54.5) |
5.4 (41.7) |
−2.1 (28.2) |
−6.4 (20.5) |
−8.6 (16.5) |
Record low °C (°F) | −12.7 (9.1) |
−13.4 (7.9) |
−10.4 (13.3) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
0.2 (32.4) |
5.0 (41.0) |
8.9 (48.0) |
12.1 (53.8) |
6.6 (43.9) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
−7.6 (18.3) |
−13.2 (8.2) |
−13.4 (7.9) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 29.6 (1.17) |
34.1 (1.34) |
42.4 (1.67) |
64.2 (2.53) |
83.8 (3.30) |
76.3 (3.00) |
113.3 (4.46) |
127.1 (5.00) |
122.7 (4.83) |
90.4 (3.56) |
84.2 (3.31) |
61.9 (2.44) |
920.1 (36.22) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 6.3 | 5.4 | 6.6 | 7.7 | 8.4 | 7.3 | 8.7 | 8.1 | 9.5 | 11.0 | 11.1 | 9.2 | 98.6 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 45.2 | 71.3 | 158.2 | 207.9 | 196.2 | 178.4 | 154.3 | 199.1 | 189.1 | 160.6 | 87.0 | 46.3 | 1,698.2 |
Source 1: JMA[3] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: JMA[4] |
Communities
Two main towns, Aonae at the southern tip and Okushiri in the central-eastern portion, contain the majority of the island's population and infrastructure. Additional small communities and individual households are found near the coast, and are connected by a road that circumnavigates the island.
History
Okushiri has been struck by several natural disasters, including the
Transportation
A local bus service operates year-round.
Tourist activities
Okushiri Island is known for Nabetsuru Rock, which translates to "pot-handle rock," a small rock arch sitting offshore of Okushiri Town. Okushiri Island has one operating hot spring, and opportunities for fishing and swimming. The Okushiri Moonlight Marathon was started in 2013, and is the largest attraction on Okushiri Island for visitors, attracting runners from around Japan and some foreign countries. The race starts at 3 pm and often finishes as it is getting dark. Local villagers turn out in large numbers to cheer on the runners. At the finish line, the race concludes with a seafood banquet and awards ceremony.[10]
References
- ^ "アイヌ語地名リスト" (PDF) (in Japanese). Hokkaido Prefecture. p. 24. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
- ^ "About location and geography of Okushiri-cho". Official Home Page of Okushiri Town. Okushiri Town. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ^ 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
- ^ 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
- ISBN 978-981-4277-47-1. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
- ^ Hirata, Yuzuki; Masakazu Murakami (November 16, 2006). "Island hit by 1993 killer tsunami remains vigilant". The Japan Times. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
- ^ a b NGDC. "Comments for the Significant Earthquake". Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- ^ NGDC. "Comments for the Tsunami Event". Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- ^ "江差 時刻表 | ハートランドフェリー". 15 January 2016.
- ^ "Okushiri Moonlight Marathon". 27 June 2016.