'Hegurajima' (
Japanese:舳倉島) is a small island located in the
Sea of Japan at the far north of
Ishikawa,
Japan. It lies approximately 45km from the mainland, and forms part of the township of
Wajima.
The
population of about 100 has large seasonal variations due to fishing, diving and birding activities. The island is approximately 2km by 1km in size, and can easily be walked around in under an hour.
Notable facts
There is a
lighthouse on the island and a small
minshuku. During the summer months female
ama divers dive for awabi (
abalone) for about 4-5 hours per day, following a long tradition that predates the use of
wetsuits. There is a small fishing port, and a ferry runs to
Wajima on the mainland. The island is a haven for migratory birds, and attracts tourists for
birdwatching.
External links
★
Island school website in Japanese
★
Ferry Company "Hegura Kōro" in Japanese