Akashima Island
A natural water filter
Akashima Island, a very small island made of volcanic basalt, lies just off the east coast of Fukue Island. While the island’s rugged shorelines are composed of black lava, its name, which means “Red Island,” comes from the reddish, oxidized volcanic ash found everywhere on the island. In the immediate area around the port is a series of basalt pillars, immediately recognizable by their individual, crystalline shapes even though only the tops protrude from the ocean. Residents of the island must collect and store rainwater for use, as it percolates through the porous basalt without forming pools or streams. This motion of the water through the rock filters and cleans it; this pure water then flows into the ocean, attracting many fish and crustaceans, making this a popular fishing spot.