Eastern Liancourt Rocks

Overview

Mejima, also known as the Eastern Islet, is one of the islands that make up the Liancourt Rocks (called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in Korea), administratively associated with Okinoshima Town in the Oki Islands of Shimane Prefecture. It is a small, rocky islet in the Sea of Japan, covering roughly seven hectares. Steep cliffs, wheeling seabirds, and deep blue water give this remote outcrop a stark, oceanic beauty. The Liancourt Rocks are formed mainly by two central islets, the Eastern Islet (Mejima) and the Western Islet (Ojima), ringed by dozens of smaller rocks. This is a territory whose sovereignty is disputed between Japan and Korea, and it is not an island casual visitors can simply land on. Still, understanding its geography offers a window onto the vastness of the Sea of Japan. Always confirm the latest access rules through official sources.

Highlights

• ●Steep ocean cliffs that serve as a seabird sanctuary
• ●The paired names of Mejima (east) and Ojima (west)
• ●A remote rocky islet of about seven hectares
• ●Deep-blue open waters of the Sea of Japan

History

The Liancourt Rocks, including Mejima, are the eroded remnants of ancient undersea volcanic activity, their jagged silhouettes carved by centuries of waves. The surrounding waters have long been known as fishing grounds, drawing those in search of marine life. In modern times the islets became a disputed territory claimed by both Japan and Korea, and their story has been told through each side's historical narrative. The distinctive formation, built around the twin islets of Mejima (east) and Ojima (west) amid more than ninety scattered rocks, has left a rich record for geologists and historians alike. Here we set aside political judgment and look quietly at the place itself, guided by the geographical facts.

Map

37.2408, 131.8696 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Locate its position near latitude 37.24 north on a map or chart
2. 2Learn how the Eastern Islet and Western Islet were formed
3. 3Study it alongside the geography of the Oki Islands and the Sea of Japan
4. 4Confirm any access or travel details through official sources

Did you know?

💡 Mejima (the Eastern Islet) forms a naming pair with the neighboring Ojima (the Western Islet). The pairing of the Japanese words for female and male echoes a traditional way of naming twin islands across Japan. The Liancourt Rocks as a whole are said to comprise more than ninety rocks and islets, of which Mejima is the principal eastern island.

Nearby spots