Ieshima

What it is

• A populated island in the Harima-nada sea belonging to Himeji City.
• Historically served as a strategic port for ships awaiting favorable winds.
• A center for stone transportation, shipbuilding, and local fishing industries.
• Home to a community of over two thousand residents with local schools.

What to see

• The Ieshima Shrine and Maura Shrine located on the island.
• An Edo period battery site situated at Tenjinbana.
• The Maura Lion Dance, a prefectural important intangible cultural property.

Getting there

• Regular ferry service connects Himeji Port to the island.
• The ferry journey from Himeji Port takes approximately thirty minutes.
• A community bus operates on the island during specific periods.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.