The Landscape of Okinoshima
Located about 60 kilometers off the coast, Okinoshima is a small but rugged island surrounded by treacherous reefs. From the mainland, and even from vantage points on Oshima, it is hard to see the sacred island clearly. The whole island is 97 hectares (240 acres) of mountainous land, covered with dense forest. The highest point on the island is 243 meters above sea level. There is only one place to safely land by boat: a port constructed on the south side, protected from the rough seas by concrete barriers and a natural beach. Although the island is rocky, it has a freshwater spring, which made it a valuable stopping point for seafarers traveling between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.