Hikoshima


Hikoshima is an island on the south-west tip of Honshu, Japan.

Geography

The island is irregularly shaped and hilly. The strait, as narrow as, separates the island from the main island of Honshu. The parts of sprawling city of Shimonoseki occupy most of the island, making it the most populous minor island in Yamaguchi Prefecture, albeit only sixth in size by area.

Transportation

The island is connected to the Japanese mainland of Honshu by three bridges, one above a ship lock. The Kanmon Railway Tunnel connects the island to Kyushu, but the San'yō Main Line has no stop-overs on island, the nearest station being Shimonoseki Station in the downtown area. Also, there is a bridge connection to the small 竹ノ子島 on the northwestern tip of the Hikoshima.

History

The island was inhabited since prehistory, as evidenced by petroglyphs found in 1918. Following the Battle of Dan-no-ura, the refugees from the Taira clan has migrated to island and set the basis for the local agriculture. The island was an important site of Shimonoseki Campaign in 1863-1864 when it was much feared the island would become the Japanese variant of Hong Kong. The island industrialization began in 1924 with the building of ammonium sulphate plant with German license in 1924. Currently island is heavily populated and industrialized, including a shipyard and a titanium & zinc smelter.

Attractions