Nishinoshima (Shimane)

Nishinoshima

Native name: 西ノ島, Nishinoshima
Kuniga Coast on Nishinoshima
Geography
Location	Sea of Japan
Coordinates	36°6′N 132°59.30′E / 36.100°N 132.98833°E / 36.100; 132.98833Coordinates: 36°6′N 132°59.30′E / 36.100°N 132.98833°E / 36.100; 132.98833
Archipelago	Oki Islands
Area	55.97 km2 (21.61 sq mi)
Coastline	117 km (72.7 mi)
Highest elevation	452 m (1,483 ft)
Highest point	Takuhiyama
Administration
Japan
Prefectures	Shimane Prefecture
District	Oki District
Town	Nishinoshima
Demographics
Population	3,400 (2013)
Ethnic groups	Japanese

Nishinoshima (西ノ島, also Nishi-no-shima^?) is one of the Dōzen Islands in the Oki archipelago in the Sea of Japan. It is the second largest island of the Oki Islands.

The island, 55.97 km² in area, has a population of approximately 3,400 persons. The island is administered by the town of Nishinoshima in Shimane Prefecture. Much of the island is within the borders of Daisen-Oki National Park.

Nishinoshima is located approximately 65 kilometres (35 nmi) northeast of the Honshu coast. The island is of volcanic origin, with deeply indented coastline of 117 kilometres (73 mi), and with its highest point at the peak of Takuhiyama 452 metres (1,483 ft) above sea level. The Matengai cliffs on the west coast of the island are the highest in Japan, at 257 metres (843 ft).

The climate of Nishinoshima is classified as a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with very warm summers and cool winters. Precipitation is abundant throughout the year.

The Oki Islands have been inhabited since the Japanese Paleolithic era, and numerous artifacts from the Jomon, Yayoi and Kofun periods have been found by archaeologists.

Nishinoshima was used as a place of exile from the Nara period, but is well known as a possible place of exile for ex-Emperor Go-Toba (a distinction which it shares with neighboring Nakanoshima. The island became part of the holdings under the control of Matsue Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate in the Edo period.