Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
peaks is the same,
御
, and carries the meaning “imperial” or “royal.” It's only the pronunci-
ation of the mountain's name that may be different. And speaking of that, the Kanji character
that means peak,
岳,
also has several pronunciations:
také
and
daké
are both used.
For hundreds of years, sulphur deposits were mined on Mt Mi but that ceased after World
War II. What hasn't ceased are the hot springs flowing from the volcano. There are two hot
springs near the port. The sulfurous, mineral-rich waters of Onsen Nishiku (
西区
) and On-
sen Higashiku (
東区
) are open 24/7 and are clean and free.
There's also a free astronomical observatory, the Nakanoshima-tenmondai (
中之島 天
文台
). It has the largest telescope in Kyushu, a 24-inch (60-centimeter) mirror. All that's re-
quired are reservations made with the telescope's keeper. Nakanoshima also has the Tokara
Museum (
歴史民俗資料館
; Rekishi-minzoku-shiryokan), the only historical museum in the
islands. It contains some interesting exhibits but the captioning is only in Japanese.
The island has an elementary and junior level school, with seven students at last count.
Other than the school,
minshuku
inns, the baths and private homes, that's about all you'll
find. On Nakano Island, and on all the Tokara Islands, there are virtually no shops, no
Family-Marts or 7-11s, no gas stations, no restaurants, bakeries, book stores or anything
else—nothing! You usually won't even find vending machines because there is no one to re-
stock them. Because it's so isolated, most people order and buy everything, including their
groceries, from the stores in Kagoshima. Goods are delivered by the ferry service. Residents
who own cars must purchase fuel in 200-liter drums which are likewise delivered to the is-
lands. Throughout the Tokaras, the ferry is an indispensible lifeline to Japan and the outside
world.
There are not too many places where you'll find the air cleaner and the skies clearer than at Nakanoshima
Observatory.
