Akashima Island

Akashima is a tiny volcanic island of black basalt just off the east coast of Fukue Island, its name meaning 'Red Island' for the reddish oxidized ash found across its surface. The shoreline near the port reveals rows of basalt pillars with distinctive crystalline faces, their tops just breaking the water's surface. What makes the island distinctive is its geology: rainwater percolates through the porous basalt without forming pools or streams, filtering and cleaning itself before flowing into the sea. This continuous process of pure water entering the ocean draws an abundance of fish and crustaceans, making the surrounding waters a popular fishing spot.