Takeshima

Overview

Takeshima is a small island in the northern part of the Satsunan Islands, administratively part of Ōaza Takeshima, Mishima Village, Kagoshima Gun, Kagoshima Prefecture. Covering roughly 4.2 square kilometers, it is a quiet island with a population reported at around 70 people, and it forms one of the 'Kamishima' (Upper Three Islands) alongside Iōjima and Kuroshima that together make up Mishima Village.

Highlights

• ●A compact island of about 4.2 square kilometers
• ●The Ryukyu-chiku bamboo that gave the island its name
• ●Its place as one of the 'Kamishima' islands, alongside Iōjima and Kuroshima, within Mishima Village
• ●A roughly three-hour ferry crossing that underscores its remoteness from the mainland

History

The island's name is said to derive from a species of bamboo, Pleioblastus linearis (known locally as Ryukyu-chiku), that grows on the island — a case where the local vegetation itself became the place name. Its geographic classification is also debated, with sources variously grouping it with the Satsunan Islands or the Ōsumi Islands, reflecting how island classifications in this region can differ depending on the source.

Map

30.8139, 130.4172 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Board the regular ferry from a port in Kagoshima City and enjoy the crossing to Takeshima
2. 2On arrival, walk through the settlement and take in the quiet atmosphere of a remote island
3. 3Look out for the Ryukyu-chiku bamboo and other vegetation that gave the island its name
4. 4Check the return ferry schedule while considering the island's relationship to the other Mishima Village islands

Did you know?

💡 The name Takeshima, literally 'bamboo island,' reflects the Ryukyu-chiku bamboo that grows there — a simple but telling example of a place name rooted directly in local nature. Residents make their living through fishing, farming, and seasonal tourism, sustaining a small community of around 40 households.

Nearby spots