Shōya Island

**Shōya Island** [俎有洒; しょうや・なん] is an island located off the northern coast of Arami Prefecture. It is home to the city of Shōyamachi, which is considered to comprise the entire island, although not all of its total area is urbanized. As of 2022, the city itself had a population of around 29,000, with the wider island being home to another 5,000.

## History

The large number of pottery artifacts found near Dokunaki Bay in the south of the island demonstrate that Sado was populated as early as the 3rd century AD. The Book of Ōhaki mentions that Kantonese people from the north-eastern coast first visited the island in 544 AD (although it is unknown whether they settled on the island).

The island was known as Shōya Province at the beginning of the 8th century, making it distinct from the mainland. However, this only lasted for around 300 years before Shōya Island was eventually annexed by the Hasetsu clan in the 11th century, and it was brought under the borders of the Hasetsu domain.

Shōya experienced a sudden economic boom during the 1730s when gold was found at Suretsumizu. A major source of revenue for the Hasetsu, the Ukinoya Mine was established soon after and became a labour camp for exiled criminals.

### Exile

When direct control from mainland Kanton started around the 1100s, the island's remoteness meant that it soon became a place of banishment for difficult or inconvenient Kantonese figures. Exile to remote locations such as Shōya was a very serious punishment, second only to the death penalty, and people were not expected to return. Although formal Imperial exiles became much less common by the end of the medieval period, criminals from all parts of the Honzura region were often sent to Shōya as punishment.

## Geography

Shōya is home to the Yamisada mountain range, which runs through the centre of the island in a spine-like formation. The range encloses a central plain known as the Hondani Valley, which is the most populated area. The tallest peak on the island is Mount Haogawa, with a height of 1,700 metres. Other smaller mountains include Mount Takuradao, Mount Koshū and Mount Techi.

The Hondani Valley opens on its western side to Kandaimachi Bay, and on its eastern side to the much smaller Dokunaki Bay. The longest river on the island, the Kaisu River, flows down from the Yamisada foothills through the Dokunaki area. On the northern end of the island, Lake Shōya sits in a low basin surrounded by lush pine forests; it is filled with salt water and is used to farm oysters.

## Economy

Agriculture and fishing are major sources of income for Shōya. Fishing and marine production is mainly based around Kandaimachi Bay. Tourism boomed in the beginning of the 1990s and peaked at over 1.2 million yearly visitors, but visitor numbers decreased over the course of the 2010s. In 2020, the average number of visitors was closer to 650,000 per year.

Shōya is also known for its traditional arts, such as bamboo weaving and embroidery. Its rich history and relaxed rural atmosphere make Shōya one of the major tourist destinations in Arami Prefecture. The island has several temples and historical ruins, and offers possibilities for various outdoor activities, as well as fresh local food.

## Local attractions

* Shōgoro Temple
* Shōyamachi Art & Natural History Museum
* Ukinoya Mine Museum
* Yamisada Mountain Walk
* Lake Shōya