Tsushima, Nagasaki

Tsushima
対馬市
City

Flag

Location of Tsushima in Nagasaki Prefecture
Tsushima

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 34°12′N 129°17′E / 34.200°N 129.283°E / 34.200; 129.283Coordinates: 34°12′N 129°17′E / 34.200°N 129.283°E / 34.200; 129.283
Country Japan
Region Kyushu
Prefecture Nagasaki Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Takarabe Yasunari
Area
 • Total 708.61 km2 (273.60 sq mi)
Population (2005)
 • Total 39,983
 • Density 56.42/km2 (146.1/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Chionanthus retusus
 • Flower Azalea
 • Bird Ring-necked pheasant
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Website tsushima.weebly.com

Tsushima (対馬市 Tsushima-shi) is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. It is the only city of Tsushima Subprefecture and it encompasses all of Tsushima Island Archipelago, which lies in the Tsushima Strait north of Nagasaki on the western side of Kyushu, the southernmost mainland island of Japan.

As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 39,983 and a population density of 56.42 persons per km2. Its total area is 708.61 km2, 17.3% of the area of Nagasaki Prefecture.

History

An Imperial decree in July 1899 established Izuhara, Sasuna and Shishimi as open ports for trading with the United States and the United Kingdom.[1]

On April 1, 1975, Toyotama Village was promoted to the status of a town. Mine Village was also elevated to the status of a town in the following year.

The modern city of Tsushima was established on March 1, 2004, from the merger of six towns on Tsushima Island: Izuhara, Mitsushima and Toyotama (all from Shimoagata District), and Mine, Kamiagata and Kamitsushima (all from Kamiagata District). Both districts were dissolved as a result of this merger.

Geography

The city of Tsushima is located on Tsushima Island and other small neighbouring islands, lying slightly to the west side of Tsushima Strait, south of the Sea of Japan and north-east of the East China Sea. The island also lies between the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese mainland. Its coastline has a total length of 915 km. Aso Bay, a prominent bay with a rias coastline, is located between the islands. Tsushima lies about 60 km from Iki, 138 km from the city of Fukuoka, and 49.5 km from Busan, South Korea.

Islands

Several other islands encompass Tsushima city, in addition to Kamino-shima and Shimono-shima, both of which makes up the Tsushima Island(s):

Flora and fauna

Tsushima cat

Native to the island is the Tsushima cat. Present on the islands since ancient times, its numbers have decreased sharply, and it is now listed as an endangered species. As of 2009, it was estimated that only 80 to 100 animals remain.

Climate

Tsushima has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with very warm summers and cool winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is much heavier in summer than in winter.

Climate data for Izuhara/Tsushima, Nagasaki
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 8.7
(47.7)		 9.4
(48.9)		 12.8
(55)		 17.3
(63.1)		 21.4
(70.5)		 23.9
(75)		 27.7
(81.9)		 29.3
(84.7)		 25.9
(78.6)		 21.7
(71.1)		 16.5
(61.7)		 11.5
(52.7)		 18.84
(65.91)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.7
(40.5)		 5.5
(41.9)		 8.7
(47.7)		 13.3
(55.9)		 17.3
(63.1)		 20.5
(68.9)		 24.8
(76.6)		 26.2
(79.2)		 22.5
(72.5)		 17.6
(63.7)		 12.2
(54)		 7.2
(45)		 15.04
(59.08)
Average low °C (°F) 1.0
(33.8)		 1.8
(35.2)		 4.7
(40.5)		 9.4
(48.9)		 13.3
(55.9)		 17.4
(63.3)		 22.3
(72.1)		 23.5
(74.3)		 19.6
(67.3)		 13.9
(57)		 8.3
(46.9)		 3.2
(37.8)		 11.53
(52.75)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 75.5
(2.972)		 92.7
(3.65)		 131.2
(5.165)		 209.9
(8.264)		 199.3
(7.846)		 317.7
(12.508)		 342.7
(13.492)		 242.5
(9.547)		 251.0
(9.882)		 115.5
(4.547)		 106.4
(4.189)		 54.7
(2.154)		 2,139.1
(84.216)
Average relative humidity (%) 62 64 66 72 74 82 85 82 78 71 68 65 72.4
Mean monthly sunshine hours 135.6 125.8 164.6 160.1 186.2 134.9 134.3 175.8 127.0 159.6 142.9 141.7 1,788.5
Source: NOAA (1961-1990)[3]

Demographics and culture

The population of Tsushima Island has been decreasing significantly, as evidenced by the 5.2% decrease between the years of 1995 and 2000.[4] Nuclear families are replacing the traditional extended families, therefore, maintaining the number of households at a smaller population.[4] The elderly population makes up for nearly a quarter of the population, much higher than 20.8% of the Nagasaki Prefecture and the national average of 17.3%.[4] Religious traditions on Tsushima Island mirror those of the rest of Japan, with a majority of the population adhering to Buddhism or Shinto.

Years 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
Total Population 52,472 50,810 48,875 46,064 43,513 41,230
Age 0-14 14,449 12,845 11,615 10,050 8,352 6,834
Age 15-64 33,028 32,528 31,376 29,264 27,145 25,001
Age 65 & older 4,995 5,437 5,884 6,735 8,016 9,395
Households 14,760 15,176 15,232 15,164 15,169 15,038

[4]

Economy

Tsushima is ideally located for fishing, and many Tsushima residents exploit this as fishermen. It is also famous for its pearl culture. The natural beauty of the Tsushima Islands ensures there is much to see and the tourism industry is quite substantial. Beaches are crowded with tourists in the summer.

Harbor in Tsushima (1990)

Tourism

Tsushima Island is known for its wildlife. Tsushima offers adventure packages catering primarily to South Koreans. These are generally guided adventure tours consisting of hiking and fishing. Vacation packages are generally booked through South Korean tour agencies. Local English speakers are extremely rare in Tsushima. However, some hotels offer a telephone English translating service. The port town of Izuhara (port of debarkation if arriving from Busan, South Korea) consists of a handful of modern hotels and restaurants. Seafood prices are relatively low, as the islands' primary industry is fishing. Most restaurants hold their seafood in the ocean contained within netted cages, supposedly aiding freshness.

Transportation

Airport

Seaport

Tsushima has two sea ports, Izuhara and Hitakatsu. Ferries cross to the port of Hakata on Kyūshū a few times per day. Ferries also travel a few times a week to Busan in South Korea.

Sister cities

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ US Department of State. (1906). A digest of international law as embodied in diplomatic discussions, treaties and other international agreements (John Bassett Moore, ed.), Vol. 5, p. 759.
  2. ↑ List of Japanese Islands
  3. ↑ "Izuhara Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Info on Tsushima Shi

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tsushima.

Japanese

Korean

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