Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
There are over 1,000 of these naturally formed volcanic basalt five- and six-sided stones. There are
somewhat similar formaions, due to similar condiions, around the world, most famously at North-
ern Ireland's Giant's Causeway, the Cape Stolby cliffs on Russia's Kunashir Island in the Kuriles, several
islands in the Penghu Archipelago in the Taiwan Strait, Devils Postpile Naional Monument in Califor-
nia and, most spectacular of all, Devils Tower Naional Monument in Wyoming.
Ōjima and Ōhajima
Viewed from a high point in Tonnaha Forest Park (
登武那霸園地入リロ
) on Kumejima, these two is-
lets are just offshore. Ōjima, on the right, may be reached by the bridge visible in the foreground.
You'll need to take a boat for Ōhajima, at left rear.
Sea Turtles (
海亀
or
ウミガメ
)
Umigamé
, as they are called in Japan, can be any one of seven living species. Although part of the
same taxonomic order in which land turtles and tortoises are found, they represent an ancient line of
marine repiles that branched of from their land cousins over 110 million years ago. Sea turtles may
be found in all the oceans of the world except the Arcic and Antarcic. Although completely adapted
to a seafaring life—they even mate in water—sea turtle females must come on shore to lay their eggs.
This is the most vulnerable ime for them and their hatchlings. It is esimated that for every 100 eggs
laid, one turtle will grow to an adult and reproduce. For a host of reasons—habitant encroachment,
