Etajima

Native name: 江田島 Etajima
Etajima Location in Japan
Geography
Location	Seto Inland Sea
Coordinates	34°12′5″N 132°26′21″E / 34.20139°N 132.43917°E / 34.20139; 132.43917
Area	91.32 km2 (35.26 sq mi)
Length	19.2 km (11.93 mi)
Width	10 km (6 mi)
Highest elevation	542 m (1778 ft)
Highest point	mount 宇根山 (Uneyama)
Administration
Japan
Prefecture	Hiroshima Prefecture
city	Etajima
Demographics
Population	24596
Pop. density	269/km2 (697/sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Japanese

Etajima (江田島), also called Nōmi-jima [ja], Nomijima, Nomi Island, or Etajima-Nōmijima (江田島・能美島)^[1] is an island in Hiroshima Bay located in southwestern Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The mess with island name originates from the ancient (and possibly legendary) strait at now town Ōgaki-chō Hitonose (大柿町飛渡瀬).

Geography

The island is roughly Y-shaped, with the former Nōmi occupying center, the Okimi - north-western branch, Etajima - north-eastern branch, and Ōgaki - the southern branch. The island's highest peak, mount 宇根山 (Uneyama) 542 m (1,778 ft) high, is located on the western edge of Nōmi town.

Transportation

Since 1973, the island is connected to the Japanese mainland of Honshu by the Hayase Ōhashi [ja] bridge passing through the Kurahashi-jima island. The island is served by the national route 487. Also, ferries are available from the cities of Hiroshima and Kure on Honshu island^[2] and Matsuyama on Shikoku island.

History

The Imperial Japanese Naval Academy was moved to Etajima Island in 1888. While the academy still exists under the name Naval Academy Etajima, modern Etajima focuses rather on olive cultivation^[3] and fish hatcheries in Etajima Bay north of the island.