Tsushima Island

Tsushima is a group of islands in Japan.

It sits in the sea between Japan and Korea. Long ago, it was one big island. People dug paths through the land to make canals. Now, the main part is two islands.

Most of the land is covered in green forests. Many tall mountains grow there too. You can see many birds in the sky. Small animals like cats and otters live in the woods. It is a very special place to see.

Tsushima is a group of islands in Japan.

It sits in the sea between Japan and Korea. The islands are in the Nagasaki Prefecture. You can see the mountains of Korea on clear days.

Most of the land is green. About 89% is covered by mountains and forests. Many trees grow there, like cypress and pine. You might see animals like otters or leopard cats. Many birds, such as eagles, also live in the woods.

Long ago, Tsushima was one big island. People dug two canals through the land. These canals split the main part into two islands. Now, a bridge and a path connect them.

People live there by fishing and working in tourism. Many people catch squid on the east coast. Many visitors come from South Korea to see the islands. Some people even visit because of a famous video game.

They like to try local foods like noodles and eel. The islands are a very special place in the sea.

Tsushima is a group of islands in the Japanese archipelago.

It sits in the sea between the Tsushima Strait and the Korea Strait. The islands are located halfway between Kyushu and the Korean Peninsula. Because it is so close to Korea, you can see mountains there on clear days.

The islands are part of the Nagasaki Prefecture. Tsushima is actually a collection of over 100 islands. Most of these are very tiny islets. The main part of the group is the eighth-largest in Japan.

Much of the land is covered in nature. About 89% of Tsushima is made of mountains and natural plants. The islands are very green with many forests. You can find cypress trees and many other types of trees there.

Animals like the leopard cat and the Japanese marten live in the woods. Otters were also found living there in 2017. Many birds stop by the islands, including eagles and hawks. Even the sea has life, like the Tsushima Reef. This is the northernmost coral reef in the world.

In the past, Tsushima was one single island. This changed because people dug canals through the land. In 1671, the Ōfunakoshiseto canal was made. This split the land into two parts. Later, in 1900, the Manzekiseto canal was built.

This created three sections in total. Today, the two main islands are called Kamino-shima and Shimono-shima. A bridge and a path now connect them together.

History tells us that Tsushima is a very old place. In Japanese myths, it was one of the first eight islands created.

Long ago, people lived there by fishing and trading. The islands were important for defending Japan from other lands.

During the Mongol invasions between 1274 and 1281, the islands saw much fighting.

For a long time, the Sō clan helped rule the islands. They stayed in control until the late 1800s.

Today, about 28,502 people live on the islands. Many people work in fishing, especially catching squid on the east coast.

Tourism is also a big part of life. Many visitors come from South Korea by ferry.

Some people even visit because of the video game Ghost of Tsushima. They like to eat local foods like rokube noodles and eel. You can travel to the islands by plane or by boat.

It is a busy and interesting place to visit.

Tsushima is an archipelago located within the Japanese archipelago.

It sits in the sea between the Tsushima Strait and the Korea Strait. This location is approximately halfway between Kyushu and the Korean Peninsula. The islands belong to the Nagasaki Prefecture. Tsushima is actually a collection of over 100 smaller islands and islets. The main group of islands is the eighth-largest in Japan.

The geography of the islands has changed over several centuries. Originally, the main island was a single landmass. In 1671, the Ōfunakoshiseto canal was dug through an isthmus. This canal divided the land into two parts. Later, in 1900, the Manzekiseto canal was constructed.

This second canal split the land into three sections. Today, the two main islands are called Kamino-shima and Shimono-shima. A combination of a bridge and a causeway now connects them.

The islands feature a marine humid subtropical climate. This weather is strongly influenced by monsoon winds. The average yearly precipitation is 2,132.6 mm. This rainfall is generally higher than on the main islands of Japan. Because the islands are small and isolated, they face moist marine air from all sides. As this air hits the steep slopes, it releases rain. In the spring, continental monsoon winds carry loess from China. Loess is a fertile mix of clay and sand. These winds also cool the islands during the winter.

Nature covers most of the land in Tsushima. About 89% of the area consists of mountains and natural vegetation. Forests cover 90% of the island. These woods include deciduous trees, conifers, and broad-leafed evergreens like cypress. Many mountains rise from the landscape, such as Mt. Ohira and Mt. Yatate.

The fauna includes the leopard cat and the Japanese marten. Otters were discovered living there in February 2017. The islands are an Important Bird Area for species like the Japanese wood pigeon. Even the ocean is unique. The Tsushima Reef is the northernmost coral reef in the world. It is dominated by cool-tolerant stony corals called Scleractinian Favia.

History shows that Tsushima has always been a strategic location. In Japanese mythology, Shinto deities created it as one of the eight original islands.

Archaeological evidence shows settlers lived there during the Jōmon and Kofun periods. The islands were vital for defending Japan against invasions from the Asian continent. During the Mongol invasions between 1274 and 1281, the islands faced great conflict.

The Sō clan governed the islands for many generations. They maintained control until the late 19th century. Ruins like Kaneda Castle show the history of these defenses.

The economy of the islands relies on several different industries. About 28,502 people live in the archipelago. Many people work in primary industries, which include fishing. Fishing accounts for 82.6% of all primary industry work. Much of this involves catching squid on the eastern coast.

Tourism is also a major economic factor. Many visitors arrive via high-speed ferries from Busan, South Korea. Tourism has grown due to interest in the video game Ghost of Tsushima. Visitors often come to try local foods like anago conger eel.

Travel to the islands is possible through several methods. Tsushima Airport provides flights to Fukuoka and Nagasaki. Ferries also connect the islands to ports like Iki and Hakata. While residents use public buses, services are somewhat limited. There are currently no specialized sightseeing tour buses available. This makes traveling to specific tourist spots more difficult for visitors. Despite these limits, the islands remain a significant part of the Nagasaki Prefecture.