Kan'yō Island, Tidal island in Sukumo, Japan.
Kan'yō Island is a tidal island off the coast of Sukumo that becomes accessible by foot at low tide and surrounded by water at high tide. The island features rock formations that shift in appearance as water levels change throughout the day.
The island sits near Sukumo, which developed as a castle town during the Edo period. The surrounding region retains maritime structures that reflect its past as an important port location.
The island connects to fishing grounds that local communities have relied on for generations. It shapes how residents of Sukumo relate to their coastal environment and the sea.
Visitors should check tide schedules before traveling, since access depends entirely on water levels that shift throughout the day. The best time to explore is during low tide, when the path to the island becomes walkable.
Between mid-November and early February, the setting sun creates an optical effect as it passes over the island that draws observers' attention. During these winter months, the light transforms into an unusual flattened shape as it dips toward the horizon.
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