Aijima

What it is

• An inhabited island in Matsuyama City with a population of thirteen people.
• Founded as a village in 1817 by Kinzaemon Ouchi.
• Formerly served as a port for sailing ships awaiting favorable winds.
• A small landmass with a total circumference of only 3.5 kilometers.

What to see

• A swimming beach located on the west side of the island.
• Local seafood and seaweed products including harvested hijiki.
• The site of the local school which closed in 1983.

Getting there

• Take the passenger ship Aihoku from Hojo Port.
• The boat trip from the mainland takes approximately 35 minutes.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.