Takashima, Natural monument island in Ōita, Japan
Takashima is a rocky island rising from the Hayasui-no-Seto strait within Setonaikai National Park, located about 3.5 kilometers from Sekizaki peninsula. The landscape features crystalline schist rock formations and beaches spread across roughly 80 hectares.
The island began as a temporary refuge for displaced samurai but was transformed into a military fortification in 1920. Gun emplacements and ammunition storage facilities were subsequently constructed across its terrain.
Black-tailed gulls, known locally as Umineko meaning sea cat, breed on the island from March to August in large colonies. Visitors can watch these birds in their natural habitat while walking along the rocky slopes.
The rock formations and beaches offer observation points for watching seasonal bird migrations and maritime activities. Visitors should be prepared for changing conditions and wear sturdy footwear.
This location marks the northern limit of naturally occurring Birou trees and the southern boundary of black-tailed gull nesting zones in Japan. These ecological boundaries make it a place where rare botanical and zoological borders converge.
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