Kanmurijima

Kanmurijima is an island in the Sea of Japan administered under Maizuru in Kyoto Prefecture. It is about 2 km from Kutsujima, a similar smaller island. Nakatsu reef is located just midway between islands. A breeding ground for streaked shearwaters, the island was designated a Japanese natural monument in 1924. It has also been recognised as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. Currently, the island is designated as Kanmurijima-Kutsujima wildlife protection area and any landing is prohibited. A recreational diving service is available though.
File:Sesshu - View of Ama-no-Hashidate.jpg|thumb|left|View of Ama-no-Hashidate by Sesshū Tōyō. On the right, torii of Kono Shrine is seen. On extreme right, Kammurijima and Kutsujima are also painted

History

According to records of Tango no kuni fudoki, Kanmurijima and Kutsujima are the remains of a much larger island which submerged following an earthquake in 701 A.D. The topography of the seafloor seems to support the claim, as the steep 60-metre cliff is located underwater off the eastern coast of Kanmurijima and Kutsujima, indicating a recent crustal fault.