Ōgimi Explained

Ōgimi
Native Name Lang:ja
Settlement Type:Village
Other Name:Ufujimi (Okinawan), Uujimii (Kunigami)
Pushpin Map:Japan
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Japan
Coordinates:26.7017°N 128.1203°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Japan
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Kyushu (Okinawa)
Subdivision Type2:Prefecture
Subdivision Name2:Okinawa Prefecture
Subdivision Type3:District
Subdivision Name3:Kunigami
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Title1:Vice Mayor
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:63.12
Population Total:3,024
Population As Of:1 October 2016
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:JST
Utc Offset1:+09:00
Blank Name Sec1:City hall address

is a village located in Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.

As of October 2016, the village has an estimated population of 3,024 and a population density of 51 persons per km2. The total area is 63.12km2.

Several censuses have established that this village has the highest longevity index in the world with a large percentage of the population being over 100 years old.[1]

Geography

Ōgimi is located at the north of Okinawa Island and faces the East China Sea on the western coast of the island. The village consists of forested flatland, which covers 78% of the area of the Ōgimi, and sharp, craggy cliffs which face the coast. The central coastal area of Ōgimi is bisected by Shioya Bay. Miyagi Island (0.24km2) spans much of the entrance of the bay, and the island is connected to the mainland by the Shioya Ōhashi Bridge.

Culture

The village is a centre of production of Ryukyuan pottery.

The Shioya Ungami Sea Festival is held at Shioya Bay and other areas of Ōgimi in July. Observance of the festival dates back 400 to 500 years to the period of the Ryukyuan Kingdom, and begins with prayers at an asagi, or house of worship, by kaminchu, or priestesses of the Okinawan religion. The religious ceremonies are followed by dragon boat races. The Unjami Festival was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan in 1997.

Education

The village operates its public primary and junior high schools.

The Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education operates .

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The remote Japanese island where the locals refuse to die. Dickinson. Greg. YouTube. The Telegraph. January 2, 2020. March 15, 2024.
  2. Web site: Home. Ogimi Junior High School. 2022-12-21.
  3. Web site: Home. Ogimi Elementary School. 2022-12-21.
  4. Web site: 4つの村立小学校が統合した新大宜味小で入学式. Okinawa Times. 2016-04-08. 2022-12-21.