Higashijima, UNESCO World Heritage island in Ogasawara Village, Japan
Higashijima is an island in the Pacific Ocean that forms part of the Chichijima archipelago, located about 1000 kilometers south of Tokyo. It sits within a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its distinctive geology and ecosystem.
The island remained isolated for centuries before falling under American control after World War II. In 1968, it returned to Japanese administration and has since been integrated into the local governance structure.
Daily life on the island blends Japanese customs with Pacific influences, visible in local practices and the way the community uses shared spaces and natural resources.
Reaching the island requires a lengthy ferry journey that takes considerable time from the mainland. Services operate depending on weather patterns and seasonal conditions, so planning ahead is important.
The waters surrounding the island are home to marine animals that evolved in complete isolation and exist nowhere else. This makes the location especially important for scientists studying how life adapts in remote places.
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