Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Otoko-iwa (“Male Rock”) dominates the skyline above “Crow Mountain Island.”
GARASAYAMAJIMA
(
ガラサー山島
; Gārasa-yama-jima lit. “Crow Mountain Island”). Named
for the crows (
カラス
;
garasu
) that gather here in the evenings, you may notice this tiny islet
when arriving on the ferry. It's only 410 feet (125 meters) offshore from the Kanegusuku Port
Marine Terminal and is partially incorporated in the tsunami barrier that protects the har-
bor. It's not much. It's oval-shaped and only 330 feet (100 meters) long from north to south
and less than 30 (48 kilometers) from east to west.
What might catch your attention, however, is the phallus-shaped rock standing erect out
lit. “Male Rock” or “Male Mountain”) and it's one of two fertility symbols on Kume. The oth-
er is female, called Mīfugā” (
ミーフガー
), otherwise known as Onna-iwa” (
女岩
; lit. “Female
Rock”). It's on the northern end of the island.
ŌJIMA
(
奥武島
; Ō-jima). This small island, less than 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) due east of Eef
Beach and Kumejima, is connected to the mainland by a 1,640-foot (500-meter) bridge. It is
famous for its Tatami-ishi (
畳石
; lit. “tatami mat stones”), a remarkable natural volcanic phe-
nomenon. In the last few years tourism has increased on the island and its presence is seen
by the addition of a sea turtle museum and an
onsen
spa resort.
Ōjima's general shape is that of a triangle, with its base south and apex north. Across its
southern bottom, at its widest points, it is 1 mile (1.5 kilometers). From the center of its base
to its northernmost tip it is half that, 2,460 feet (750 meters). It is, in fact, a quite regular
pyramid. The island has an area of a quarter of a square mile (0.63 square kilometers) and a
circumference of 2.25 miles (4 kilometers). You won't need any oxygen on Ōjima. Its highest
point is 49 feet (15 meters) above sea level. It has an official population of 30, but even that
small number is difficult to discern. Other than a derelict hotel or apartment house (it's hard
