Kids Web Japan

That's Awajishima beyond the water.

Japan is a land of many islands - about 7,000 including over 400 with people living on them. Though Nushima is among the smallest of the inhabited islands, it has a very long history. People have lived there since about 400 BC, and fishing has always been a part of their lives. Nushima has long been important for maritime transportation. The island is also mentioned in Tosa nikki ("The Tosa Diary"), a work written more than 1,000 years ago. Nowadays, about 70% of Nushima's residents are involved in the fishing industry. Nushima is located 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) south of Awajishima, and has rich fishing grounds. In addition to sea bream and flounder, summer brings hamo eels and lobsters, and horse mackerel are caught in the fall. All of these fish are shipped to places like Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo where they are known for their high quality.

Nushima, which has been designated as the Seto Inland Sea National Park, constantly has visitors. People come to enjoy swimming in the summer and enjoy the fishing year-round. Between Awajishima and Shikoku there is also the Naruto Whirlpool, one of the world's largest, which forms twice a day, at low and high tide. This is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Japan.

This Shinto shrine was built in ancient times to pray for the safe return from sea of Nushima's fishermen.

There is a legend that this rock off Nushima's eastern shore was placed there by deities mentioned in Japanese mythology.

In the Naruto Strait between Shikoku and Awajishima one of the largest whirlpools in the world can be seen at high and low tide.

There are always people passing through Nushima's harbor. This is where people can meet to talk and relax, like these young girls chatting.

Nushima's hamo dishes are famous throughout Japan. Hamo caught off Nushima from May to August is said to be particularly delicious.

Nushima's harbor gleaming in the evening sunlight.

Nushima has a long history and there are still many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples on the island.