１億年前の地層と化石の島”獅子島”へ行こう：鹿児島県出水市長島町獅子島。シンガポールからの一人旅と漫画取材：観光・船旅・ライオン
Located at the northernmost tip of Kagoshima Prefecture, Shishi Island Also known as “Satsuma Matsushima” An island with many layers of strata and fossils dating back 100 million years Apart from a road that circles the island, there are three observation points
Wood chips are spread on parts of the road, and the island is frequently cleaned. There are various theories about the origin of the island’s name. By the way, there is no record of lions inhabiting this island in the past.
[Theory 1] In Japanese, “shishi” means lion. The island was originally called “Shishi Island” because deer were referred to as “shishi” here. It later changed to “Shishi-jima.”
[Theory 2] Derived from the story of the deity enshrined in the island’s shrine. The lord of the island, Shishitani Shichiro Reiko (Shishitani Hichiyou no Mitama), who died in battle after being shot by a pheasant’s arrow.
This person, becoming a vengeful spirit, was said to cause stomach pain and death to islanders who ate pheasant meat. To appease this spirit, a shrine was built as the island’s guardian deity. This photo is not of the island’s shrine.
Since I become physically unwell when visiting shrines associated with vengeful spirits, I couldn’t go. There are multiple ways to access the island. Kagoshima Prefecture has only one airport. It can be confusing for foreigners who may wonder, “Is Kagoshima an island?” Kagoshima is not an island.
There are multiple ports to the island, but this time, I will guide you from Kagoshima Airport to Minamata by bus. I traveled to Shishi Island by passenger ship from Minamata Port in Kumamoto Prefecture. The voyage takes about 30 minutes.
[Other Access] Ferry from Naka Minato in Amakusa City (30 minutes) Car ferry from Morora Port in Morora Island (20 minutes) Shishi Island is surrounded by a ria-type coastline. Utilizing this topography, fish such as yellowtail, sea bream, flounder, and greenling are cultivated.
The main agricultural products are citrus fruits, especially the popular Red Kankitsu. Potatoes are also cultivated. On Google Maps, it seems like you can walk back and forth from the port to the observatory in a short time…
In reality, a car is needed for transportation at the speed suggested by Google Maps. There have been cases of people mistakenly visiting the island due to Google Maps. Although there was a rental cycle service at the port, it wouldn’t have made it in time for the outbound ferry departure.
While talking to the islanders at the port, a crew member who said, “It’s break time now,” offered to guide me around the island. Divine intervention! I wonder how many times I became a “Google Map Refugee” in the past year… It was windy. It was chilly because it was January.
This very kind crew member is also a resident of the island. He receives goods on behalf of the islanders in the mainland and delivers them to the homes of the islanders. I’m glad to have met such a warm person. I’m glad to have met such a warm person.
The mid-January period when I visited happened to be the citrus fruit harvesting season on this island. While the islanders were on break, I passed by in his car. The islanders were enjoying onigiri (rice balls) and warm tea. He also said he would take me to the “Shichiro-san Observatory.”
The Shichiro-san Observatory is at an elevation of 393 meters, the highest on Shishi Island. Ohhhh this is an amazing view! The view in January. Just for your reference. There is a cenotaph. Every April, people climb here on foot to pray for the repose of the souls and the prosperity of the island.
I thought there would be few tourists in January, but the lodgings on this island were fully occupied by fishing enthusiasts. I want to eat onigiri here with my friends. This tree caught my attention. It must be challenging to come here by bicycle with these slopes. It seems tough in rainy weather.
Fossils are scattered throughout this island. Two types of Imagawayaki (sweet filled pancakes) were sold at “Shishi Mart.” The kind crew member kindly chose the flavor for me, and I enjoyed one piece at a time.
Since I didn’t have time to stop by the open elementary school, I headed to the closed elementary school after this. This island is very clean, and I didn’t see a single piece of litter! Unlike Singapore, where there is a lot of litter…
There are people with jobs to pick up litter, and as part of the social activities for prisoners, there is also litter picking. I haven’t seen someone with an actively contributing attitude of “picking up litter if you see it” in Singapore… This is also a beautiful sea color.
This crew member of the ship was the person who was very kind to me this time. I’m a person who believes in sublimating the favors I receive in some form. I’ll make this island an important element when it appears in my manga.
I boarded a local bus and moved to Shin-Minamata Station two stops away. From there, I took the Shinkansen and got off at Kumamoto Station on that day. By the way, I went to Shishi Island with this large suitcase. I was allowed to leave the suitcase at the port waiting area. Free of charge.
This is the hostel in front of Kumamoto Station where I stayed several times. This was information for reference, saying “You can visit Kumamoto Station on a day trip from Shishi Island.”
港が３つあります。
宿は１カ月前の段階で満室だったので、日帰りで行きました。
時間があれば柑橘類収穫体験をやってみたかったです。
投稿者：Singapore在住の日本人漫画クリエイターIra(アイラ)
鹿児島出身の薩摩隼人
日本とシンガポールを舞台としたオリジナル漫画を創作中。2024年夏以降公開予定。
2023年と2024年の計8カ月に島で漫画の取材を実施。
【著作権引用は認めません】
※本動画に用いられている、獅子島と熊本県における写真の著作権は全て投稿者Ira(以降、Iraという）に帰属します。iraに帰属する著作物引用は一切認めません。Iraが取材した島は”定期船が運航しており誰しもが行くことが可能”であることから「著作物引用」は認められません。この概要欄を読まなかったとしても前記事項は法的にも一般的見解です。
※Iraの著作物使用者へは使用期間に基づき発生した収益額他を合算した損害賠償請求、他法的対応をおこないます。
※本動画の模倣、二次創作も許可しません。同様に法的対応をおこないます。
※投稿者アイラ以外の著作権者明示の写真及び動画などの映像データは全てアイラに著作権が帰属します。
漫画取材をした島・島国の投稿です。
#釣り #鹿児島観光 #一人旅 #ライオン #島暮らし #化石 #霊 #神社めぐり
【本動画のキーワード】発達障害、障害者、ADHD、LTBQ+
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