, is one of the
Satsunan Islands, usually classed with the
Osumi Islands, belonging to
Kagoshima Prefecture,
Japan. The island, 15.37 km² in area, has a population of 199 persons. The island can only be reached by ferry service to the city of Kagoshima on the mainland, as there is no airport. Travel time is about 6 hours. The islanders are dependent mainly on fishing, agriculture and seasonal tourism.