Kurahashi-jima
Kurahashi-jima (倉橋島), also called Nagato-jima (長門島) in ancient texts, is an island in Hiroshima Bay located in southwestern Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
Quick Facts Native name: 倉橋島 Kurahashi-jima, Geography ...
Native name: 倉橋島 Kurahashi-jima | |
|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Location | Seto Inland Sea |
| Coordinates | 34°8′0″N 132°31′30″E |
| Area | 69.46 km2 (26.82 sq mi) |
| Length | 13.4 km (8.33 mi) |
| Width | 13.4 km (8.33 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 491 m (1611 ft) |
| Highest point | mount 古観音山 (Kokannon-yama) |
| Administration | |
Japan | |
| Prefecture | Hiroshima Prefecture |
| city | Kure |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 19565 (2011) |
| Pop. density | 282/km2 (730/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Japanese |
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The island is roughly T-shaped, with the northern, most mountainous lobe sandwiched between mainland Kure and Etajima island.
The island is connected to mainland of Honshu by a pair of bridges over 80 meters wide strait. The island is served by the national route 487. Also, travel by bus is possible since 2005.[1]
- 7-8th century - a major center of shipbuilding and port for Yamato period Japan[3]
- 13th century - an outpost against Wokou pirates for Kamakura period Japan[4]
- 1709 - island come under government of Hiroshima Domain as an important stop-over on the trade route to Kaminoseki
- 1860 - coastal artillery fort is built
- 1 April 1889 - establishment of Kurahashi-jima village
- 1890 - with the assignment of island to the Kure Naval District, the access to the island is restricted
- 1 June 1952 - Kurahashi-jima village status is upgraded to "town".
- 4 December 1961 - first bridge connection to the mainland
- 1973 - bridge connection to Etajima
- 2005 - merge of Kurahashi town to Kure
