Isha

Isha [いしゃ / Sunpaku: いしゃ] is a city located on Shimi Island in Zōhai Prefecture. It is the most populous settlement on the island, and was historically split into a number of smaller villages. As of 2022, it has an estimated population of 15,000.
The region of Isha was originally a number of smaller fishing villages which were merged in 1955. As a result of this merger, many local industries and fishing ports were abandoned or fell into decline. The north coast of the island, once a thriving hub of commercial fishing and agriculture, has since become poverty-stricken and delapidated. Much of the infrastructure outside the city centre had to be completely renovated in 2017, following a typhoon which destroyed large swathes of Isha's outskirts.
Isha, like other settlements on Shimi, was settled by travelers from the west coast of Zōhai in the 11th century, and its population grew quickly due to the island's arable soil which supported farming. The fishing industry also flourished quickly, particularly in the east, where Hachiisha Harbour was established in the early 1100s. Perhaps the largest and most well-known historical structure is Odo Castle, which was constructed as a defense against Kantonese marine troops in the 1600s. The castle fell into disuse after the 18th century. During an excavation of the site, Chinese ceramics were found, showing the extensive trade that islanders had been involved in.
Isha is a city blessed with a remarkable number of spots of scenic beauty, particularly around the coast. Taking advantage of this, the city has promoted tourism as a primary industry since the 1960s. Numerous tourist facilities such as hotels and viewing towers have been built across the city. In order to get to the Kantonese mainland, residents must take a ferry from Hachiisha Harbour, the largest port on the island.