Hateruma


Hateruma is an island in the Yaeyama District of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It is the southernmost inhabited island in Japan. It is one of the Yaeyama Islands, and is located south of Iriomote-jima, the largest of the island group.
Hateruma, which is composed of corals, has of area and approximately 600 inhabitants. The primary products of the island include sugarcane, pineapple, refined sugar, and Awanami, a type of the alcoholic beverage awamori. Its southern location makes it one of the few places in Japan where the Southern Cross can be observed.

Tourism

Hateruma is frequently visited by tourists from Ishigaki on day trips, as it boasts the southernmost tip of land of Japan. In addition, the southernmost school and the southernmost police station of Japan are tourist attractions. In the only village, several well-preserved old houses showing the traditional architecture with a hip roof, red tiles and a shisa statue on the top can be seen. Many old houses are still surrounded by a thick wall consisting of dark coral stones. On the south coast, there is a monument indicating the southernmost tip of land of Japan.

Climate

Hateruma has a tropical rainforest climate, because all twelve months have a mean temperature of at least. The temperature is consistently warm year-round, with January, the coolest month, having a mean of and an average low of. July is the warmest month, with a mean of and an average high of. The highest temperature ever recorded was in August and the lowest recorded temperature was in March.
Hateruma receives of precipitation annually. Precipitation is abundant year-round, with every month receiving at least of rain. Typhoons often bring heavy rain, so Hateruma receives more precipitation at the peak of the typhoon season. September is the wettest month, receiving of rain on average. February is the driest month, receiving of rainfall. There are a similar amount of precipitation days each month, with April having the least with 8.3 and January having the most with 11.6 days. Hateruma receives 1965.8 hours of sunshine annually, with summer being the sunniest season and winter being the least sunny season.

Infrastructure

is located on the island, but is not currently served by any commercial flights. Haterujima is accessible by ferry from Ishigaki several times a day.

Education

The Taketomi town authorities maintain a single combined elementary and junior high school on the island: Hateruma Elementary and Junior High School.
For public senior high school students may attend schools of the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education.

Notable people

  • Naata Ufushu – chieftain