Kuroshima, Volcanic island in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
Kuroshima is the westernmost island of the Osumi group located off Kagoshima Prefecture. The terrain features dense forest, rocky volcanic formations, and a complex coastline that can be explored by foot.
The island remained under Japanese administration from 1946 to 1952, while neighboring islands in the Toshima group were administered by the United States. This division shaped different postwar development paths for the neighboring regions.
The name Kuroshima refers to the island's dark volcanic rock formations that shape its appearance. Visitors can observe how the small resident community maintains traditional fishing and farming practices woven into their daily routine.
Access to the island is by ferry from Kagoshima City, with the journey taking several hours. Visitors should bring supplies and appropriate clothing, as accommodations and services on the island are limited.
Novelist Sawako Ariyoshi set her literary work on this island, documenting the lives of its inhabitants in the early 1980s. Her portrayal brought recognition to the island far beyond its small population.
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