Izu Islands

The Izu Islands (伊豆諸島, Izu-shotō) are a group of volcanic islands stretching south and east from the Izu Peninsula of Honshū, Japan. Administratively, they form two towns and six villages; all part of Tokyo Prefecture. The largest is Izu Ōshima, usually called simply Ōshima.

Although traditionally referred to as the "Izu Seven" (伊豆七島, Izu Shichitō), there are in fact more than a dozen islands and islets. Nine among them are currently inhabited.

Geography

The Izu islands stretch south-east from the Izu Peninsula on Honshu and cover an area of approximately 301.56 km² (116.43 sq mi). There are nine populated islands with a total population of 24,645 people (as of 2009) spread over 296.56 km² (114.50 sq mi). The largest of them is Izu Oshima (8,346 inhabitants, 91.06 km² (35.16 sq mi)), the smallest Toshima (292 inhabitants, 4.12 km² (1.59 sq mi).) Of the inhabited islands, seven are traditionally referred to as the "Izu Seven": Oshima, Toshima, Niijima, Kozujima, Miyakejima, Hachijojima, and Mikurajima, though Shikinejima and Aogashima are sometimes included as well.