Iōjima

What it is

• A volcanic island on the Kikai Caldera rim within the Satsunan Islands chain.
• An active Class A volcano with a main peak reaching 703.7 meters high.
• A small community of 125 people known for producing black-haired Wagyu beef.
• A historic site where sulfur mining has taken place since the 11th century.

What to see

• The harbor waters which appear reddish-brown due to high iron content.
• Mount Io, the island's prominent volcanic peak rising from the sea.
• Showa Iojima, a landmass formed by a submarine eruption in 1934.
• The Mendon ritual masks associated with UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Getting there

• Take the Ferry Mishima from Kagoshima Port for the journey to the island.
• The ferry service operates only once every two to three days.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.