Dainan

Dainan [大洒; だいなん] is the largest and most populous island among the Zōku islands of Zōhai Prefecture. Dainan is home to over 300,000 people, and is also the location of the prefectural seat, Nasamazu.
== Geography ==
Dainan lies north-west of Aoma Prefecture. At its southern tip lies the small island of Kagenan, and facing its western coast is Shinan. Like all of the Zōku islands, Dainan is subject to drought and is frequently struck by typhoons. However, the island is known for its impressive landscapes, particularly its towering eastern cliffs.
Atate Bridge [俺盾] connects Dainan and Kagenan. A ferry service running from the capital Nasamazu offers regular trips to Shinan. Dainan holds the largest concentration of native Sunpaku speakers, with over 40,000 speakers residing there. 
== Culture ==
Dainan is home to a unique festival called Bokidari, which is held during the first week of August every year. People are encouraged to leave out paper lanterns on their doorsteps before going to bed. A group of ten men dressed in traditional fur-trimmed clothing and hats, carrying their own lamps on long poles, walk through the streets lighting these lanterns. Those who find that their lantern's wick has burned out by the morning (meaning that it was lit) are said to be blessed with good fortune for a whole year.
Various soups and noodle dishes are native to Dainan, such as nijisu, a kind of fish broth traditionally eaten by fishermen. The local drinking custom sotobuki first emerged in the 15th century in Senpu, and involves a group of people, usually sitting around a table. One drinks from a large glass, and then offers the glass to the person on their right, who takes a sip themselves and repeats the process. Once the glass has returned to the original drinker, he or she pours another glass and offers a toast, and a second round begins. The rounds will usually continue until all the available alcohol has been finished, or celebrations have come to an end.
There are a number of historical castles or odoku on the island which were built by the Summui people during the Kantonese invasions of the 1700s. Of the many important sites, Niwanaji Castle and Tokobori Castle are perhaps the most famous and popular amongst visitors.
== Economy ==
Dainan's economy focuses largely on agriculture, tourism, fishing, and light manufacture. The region is well-known for its tweed-like textile, called Dainan-sōfu, which is handwoven by specialist artesans based on the island. Most major cities focus on the tertiary and manufacturing industries within their own economies, although many smaller settlements are still reliant on traditional work such as farming and commercial fishing. 
Tourism is also a large part of the Dainan economy, with many Kantonese being attracted to Zōhai Prefecture as a whole as being like 'a home away from home'. The local culture and language is often fascinating to mainlanders.