Tokashiki (渡嘉敷村) is a village located in the Kerama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The village is part of Shimajiri District. Tokashiki is known for its corals, sea, beach and sun. From Tomari Port in Naha, it takes less than one hour to reach this island. On 28 March 1945, during World War II, 394 inhabitants, mostly from farmer families, were forced by Japanese soldiers to kill themselves, initially with grenades, after the landing of US troops.

Geography

The island of Tokashiki consists of 10 islands of various sizes in the center of the Kerama Islands. The village is located approximately 30 km west of Naha, the prefectural capital of Okinawa. These islands are rugged and mountainous.

Administrative divisions

The village includes three wards, with the Tokashiki ward being divided in two villages.

Climate

History

Early history

Prior to World War II Tokashiki produced charcoal for the city of Naha. Bonito fishing was also a mainstay of the population of the island, but as the bonito industry declined, the population of the village was reduced greatly.

World War II

The American forces landed on Tokashiki on March 27, 1945, as an early part of the Battle of Okinawa. On the following day, March 28, 1945, 394 inhabitants of Tokashiki, mostly from farming families, killed themselves after the landing of US troops, at the command of Japanese soldiers, in a practice that became known as shūdan jikketsu, or group suicide. Residents were taken to a cave and given grenades to kill themselves, resorting to beating each other with clubs and rocks once they ran out of grenades. The group suicide on Tokashiki in late March was a precursor to large-scale group suicides on Okinawa Island in the following months.

Maejima

The island Maejima once had a population of 380, but a string of powerful typhoons forced the inhabitants to eventually abandon their homes and leave the island, with the last 4 families leaving in February 1962. From then on the island was uninhabited for 42 years until in 2003 a former resident moved back to the island together with his family. They then left in 2024 leaving the island inhabited again

Transportation

Tokashiki port is connected to Naha by ferry. But the small Mitshushima ferry also connect the Aharen port to Zamami and Aka.

Economy

Agriculture

Tokashiki is home to small-scale farming. A small amount of vegetables are produced in the village.

Tourism

The village of Tokashiki is part of Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park and is blessed with a remarkable number of spots of scenic beauty. Due to this, the village has promoted tourism as a primary industry since the reversion of Okinawa Prefecture to Japan in 1972. Numerous tourist facilities such as hotels, esplanades, and viewing towers have been built across Tokashiki Island.

Noted places

Cultural and natural assets

Tokashiki Village hosts twelve tangible cultural properties and monuments, only two of which are designated at the municipal level.

Cultural Properties

Places of scenic beauty