Koshikijima Islands

The in the East China Sea are an island chain located 38 km west of the port city of Ichikikushikino, Kagoshima.
Minor islands.
All minor islands are currently (as in 2017) uninhabited.
History.
The islands once consisted of 14 villages, belonging to Shikijima-gun, Satsuma Province ("Satsuma no Kuni") during the Meiji period.
In 1889, the islands were consolidated into Kami-Koshiki and Shimo-Koshiki villages.
In 1897, the islands were merged with Satsuma-gun. Later, Kashima village and Sato village broke off, totalling in 4 villages.
In 2004, during "the great Heisei merger", the villages were merged with Sendai, a city that exists on the main island of Kyūshū.
Important Bird Area.
The islands have been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because they support populations of Japanese wood pigeons and Pleske's grasshopper-warblers.
Attractions.
The cruise course visiting many scenic coastal rocks and islets is available from Shimo-Koshiki island.