Mitsukejima

Mitsukejima (Japanese: 見附島) is an uninhabited island in Takadate-cho, Suzu, Ishikawa, Japan. Because of its shape, it is also known as Gunkanjima (軍艦島; Battleship Island),^[1] which is also the common name given to Hashima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture.

Mitsukejima

Native name: 見附島
Mitsukejima Show map of Japan Mitsukejima Show map of Chubu region Mitsukejima Show map of Ishikawa Prefecture
Geography
Location	Sea of Japan
Coordinates	37°23′35″N 137°15′00″E
Total islands	1
Length	150 m (490 ft)
Width	30 m (100 ft)
Highest elevation	30 m (100 ft)
Administration
Japan
Prefecture	Ishikawa Prefecture
City	Suzu City
District	Takadate-cho
Demographics
Population	0

According to folklore, the island was given the name "Mitsukejima" by the Buddhist monk, scholar, and artist Kūkai, who was the first to discover the island while travelling from Sado Island.

Mitsukejima is approximately 150 metres long, 50 metres wide, and 30 metres above sea level. It is composed of Neogene-period diatomaceous earth, the raw materials commonly used for shichirin, a portable clay cooking stove which is a specialty product of Suzu. The top of the island is covered with Japanese black pine and Japanese knotweed. Mitsukejima is known as a scenic spot of the Noto Hantō Quasi-National Park, and attracts many tourists.

Following the 2024 Noto earthquake, Ishikawa prefecture plans to 3D scan the island and to plan the use the make a "virtual Mitsukejima" to appeal to tourist.^[2]

Earthquake

• During the 2023 Noto earthquake, local observers reported landslides on the island, with Twitter users posting videos of the event.^[3]
• During the 2024 Noto earthquake, the island suffered from a major landslide.^[4]

In popular culture

The island was featured in the manga Insomniacs After School by Makoto Ojiro and its adaptations.^[5]

See also

• Islands portal

• Noto Hantō Quasi-National Park
• Desert island
• List of islands