Minamidaito, Village in Shimajiri District, Japan
Minamidaito is a village on an island located roughly 360 kilometers east of Okinawa Island in the Pacific Ocean, covering around 31 square kilometers. The settlement is small and spread across the island, with most activity concentrated in a few main areas.
Japanese settlers from Hachijojima established the first settlement in 1900 and began sugar cane farming shortly after. This early agriculture shaped the island's economic development and population growth for decades to come.
The village is divided into six separate wards that shape daily life and community bonds here. Each area has its own character and contributes to how residents connect with one another across the island.
The island is reached only by air through Minami-Daito Airport, as there is no regular boat service to the mainland. Visitors should expect limited facilities and plan ahead for their stay and return journey.
Since 2004, a rum distillery has been producing spirits from locally grown sugar cane, bringing a new economic activity to the island. This venture connects the place's farming heritage with contemporary business in an unexpected way.
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