Tobishima, Remote island in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Tobishima is an island covering roughly 2.75 square kilometers located about 39 kilometers northwest of Sakata Port. Its western shore features steep cliffs, while port facilities are situated on the eastern side.
Excavations show that people have lived here for about 6000 years since the early Jomon period. The island has a long history of human habitation stretching back into Japan's prehistoric past.
The island has long been centered on fishing, shaping how people live and work while maintaining their connection to the sea. Residents have passed down their customs and ways of using ocean resources from one generation to the next.
A ferry connects the island to Sakata Port with a crossing time of roughly an hour and a half. Service runs daily with one to three departures depending on the season and weather conditions.
The island hosts around 270 bird species and is known for rare day lilies found only here and on Sado Island. This plant is often overlooked by visitors and researchers despite being an important part of the ecosystem.
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