Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Service varies seasonally, but most of the year there are several daily round-trip sailings with
more frequent departures in the summer months.
Kuroshima is invariably described as a “heart-shaped” island and this is as good a de-
scription as any. The island measures approximately 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) across at its
widest northern section and 2.25 miles (3.5 kilometers) from north to south. It has an overall
area of 3.75 square miles (10 square kilometers) and a circumference of 7.75 miles (12 kilo-
meters). The island is completely flat, all of it only a few meters above sea level.
Kuro Island has around 215 residents who are unevenly divided into three small settle-
ments. The first one you'll see is the port, Kuroshima-kō (
黒島港
), which is located at the
island's northwesternmost end. There are perhaps a dozen houses there and several shops
where you can rent a bicycle on arrival.
About 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) south of the port, on Kuro's west coast, there is another
tiny village, this one holding maybe 20-25 homes and a few larger buildings. The Kuroshima
Visitor Center is here and just a little north you'll find the Kuroshima Research Center (
黒
島研究所
; Kuroshima kenkyūjo), also referred to as the Marine Park Institute. Its purpose is
the study and protection of marine life in general and sea turtles in particular. You'll also find
a small museum on sea life. It charges 300 Yen. Sometimes during the summer months the
institute leads guided tours of sea turtle egg laying. You have to inquire, and there's also a
charge for this. Adjacent to the Marine Park Institute is the Marine Village Resort, which is a
pleasant place to stay.
A little over 1 mile (2 kilometers) due east of the Visitor Center is the island's largest vil-
lage where the post office and the only gas station are located. The village has some 40 or 50
residences. There are half a dozen
minshuku
as well. All generally include meals, although
there is one restaurant-café in town. Somewhat in the middle of these three villages are the
Kuroshima primary and junior high schools. Nearby the schools you'll come to the Agarisuji
(
あがりすじ
) tower, a little viewing platform by the road which offers a nice view of this pan-
cake flat island. For the most part, Kuro's very small road system connects these four places,
which are all located in the northwestern one-third of the island.
