Mukaishima Island, Hiroshima
# Mukaishima Island, Hiroshima

Mukaishima Island (向島, Mukaishima) is the northernmost island in Geiyo Islands chain accommodating Nishiseto Expressway connecting Honshu and Shikoku islands. Its coasts are washed by Seto Inland Sea. The island's highest peak is Takamiyama (高見山) 283.2 m (929 ft) high.

## Geography

The Mukaishima is pear-shaped and separated from the Honshu mainland by 200-meters wide strait.

## History

* 1889 - municipalities of Mukaishimachō [ja] and Mukaihigashichō [ja] covering entire island are established.
* 1968 - bridges connecting island to Onomichi and Iwashi-jima [ja] are complete.
* 1983 - Innoshima bridge is complete
* 1991 - island has become a filming ground for Chizuko's Younger Sister film directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi in 1991.
* 2005 - towns of the island are incorporated into Onomichi city.
* 2013 - cycling and hiking course of Mukaishima is complete

## Transportation

The Mukaishima is connected to the mainland of Honshu and Innoshima islands by bridges of Nishiseto Expressway (Shimanami Kaidō). Also, bridge connection do exist to Iwashi-jima [ja], and ferry is available to Fukuyama with the stop-over at Momoshima, Hiroshima [ja]. The island is served by the national Route 317. The buses to Mukaishima can be taken from Hiroshima, Fukuyama or Onomichi cities.

## Economy and industry

The Mukaishima Island is the important shipbuilding center, with several shipyards on the north of the island producing coastal vessels. Also, Mukaishima Dockyard is the leading ship repair center in Japan, serving about 300 ships annually.

## Notable residents

* Satoshi Miura [de] - manager
* Kaiji Kawaguchi - manga author
* Mariko Yoshida - wrestler
