Welcome to

Kuchinoerabu-jima Island

Travel Guide


New Japaneas Site

We would like to thank you for your interest in the Kuchinoerabu- jima Island. It is a small island with an active volcano, no industries and no companies. 110 people are living in 70 households. With a population of 173 people in 1993, today's population has not decreased significantly compared to one 20 years ago. This is a miracle, is not it? Why do not you visit to the Kuchinerabu-jima Island for a while, and explore its secrets ?

National Park (Japan) and Biosphere Reserves (UNESSCO)

The entire area of the island of Kuchinoerabu-jima is designated as a national park on 2007. In addition, on 2016, the island is designated as the Biosphere Reservers under the Man and the Biosphere Programm by UNESCO.
Its nature is rich and also includes hot springs. The islanders are blessed with mountain vegetables and seafood. The people, values and passage of time on Kuchinoerabu-jima is different from the cities.
The island does not have any luxury facility for tourists. It's not an island with resorts, but it can be said would be the island of healing.
Every tourist that stays long-term is sure to be met with unique islanders and nature.

Active volcano！

There is currently an active volcano on Kuchinoerabu-jima.
However, we islanders lead a life safely. Guest houses are open. You can not enter within 2km from the volcano.

Volcano erupted on 2015 !.

On May 29, 2015, at 9:59 local time, the volcano had erupted.
In those daies, all residents of the island and tourists (about 140) has been evacuated to the Yakushima island by a ferry boat. One person (72 years old, man) suffered minor burns.

One minute after the eruption(2015).

Photo by Mr. Ryo Futagami (14 years old, Student of junior high school) at his school ground on May 29th, 10:00, one minute after the eruption.

four minutes after the eruption.


Photo by Mr. Ryo Futagami (14 years old, Student of junior high school) at his school ground on May 29th, 10:03, four minutes after the eruption.

Volcano erupted after 34 years!.

The volcano, which had last erupted in 1980, erupted on August 3, 2014, at 12:24 local time.
Residents of the neighborhood were evacuated to Banyagamine hill about two kilometers from the village. There were no injuries and damage reported.

1 min after the eruption on August 3, 2014.
















Photo by the site administrator.


Photo by the site administrator.


Photo by the site administrator.

Photo by Mr. Hiroshi Sekiguchi.



Photo by Mr. Hiroshi Sekiguchi.



Photo by the site administrator.

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Photo by the site administrator

Sea and Fish

The Kuchinoerabu-jima Island is surrounded with a rich and beautiful sea. In the sea, one can see the mysterious coral reefs, sea turtles and lots of fish.
Ara (about 71kg) was caught by Mr. Goto, one of fishermen of the island, in early June 2013.

Geography

Item	Contents
Position	About 12 km to the west of Yakushima
Area	35.8 square km
Coast extension (ambient)	49.7 km
Population (January 2014)	140 people
Population density	4.2 people (per square kilometer)
Maximum altitude	657 meters (Shindake)
Terrain	Large undulating mountains
Main industry	No industry

Maruba Satsuki
The flowers bloom from June to July. In July, the southern slopes of the summit near the volcano are dyed pink. It is possible to distinguish the pink slope from the foot of the mountain.

Shops and public facilities

Facility	Contents
Accommodation	8 guest houses No hotel and inn
Restaurants	No restaurant Be careful for lunch! Visitors are encouraged to pack food.
Shops	grocery store, liquor store and gasoline SS No general store No super market and convenient store
Medical care	Clinic of the Municipal: One doctor (clinic is open three times a month.) One nurse
Banks	Japan Post Bank JA Bank No ATM
Post offices	one (one clerk)
Hot Springs	4 springs
Community centers	Two centers Hon-mura and Yumugi have a Community center, each.
Branch of the town hall	Yakushima-cho branch office Staff: one person
Schools	School merger; one elementary school and one junior school dual classes
Power plant	Heavy oil power plant(~300kw per hour)
Businesses	Calf breeding farm One Cargo transport company, 8 Guest houses

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