| Hegurajima | |
| Native Name: | Japanese: 舳倉島 |
| Location: | Sea of Japan |
| Map: | Japan |
| Area Km2: | 0.55 |
| Coastline Km: | 5 |
| Elevation M: | 12.4 |
| Country: | Japan |
| Country Admin Divisions Title: | Prefecture |
| Country Admin Divisions: | Ishikawa |
| Country Admin Divisions Title 1: | City |
| Country Admin Divisions 1: | Wajima |
| Population: | 20-30 |
| Ethnic Groups: | Japanese |
(anglicised as Hegura or Hekura) is a small island located in the Sea of Japan at the far north of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. It lies approximately 47 km from the northern tip of Noto Peninsula,[1] and is administratively part of Amamachi township within the city of Wajima. Hegurajima (literally helm-storehouse island) is approximately 2 km by 1 km in size and can easily be walked around in less than an hour.
The island is made of andesite, with steep cliffs on its northern side, and a sandy beach on it southern side, which is used as a shelter by fishermen. The island had a population of 164 in the year 2000 census, which dropped to 110 people in the 2010 census; however, the actual number of full-time residents is considerably less.
It is thought that Hegurajima corresponds to the island called Neko-no-Shima (Isle of the Cat) in a tale found in Konjaku Monogatari, an early 13th-century folktale collection.
There is a lighthouse in the center of the island and a small minshuku. During the summer months female ama divers dive for abalone, Turbo sazae and Gelidiaceae for about 4–5 hours per day, following a long tradition that predates the use of wetsuits.[2] There is a small fishing port, and a ferry runs to Wajima on the mainland. The island is a haven for migratory birds, and attracts tourists for birdwatching.