Izuhara Port

Tsushima is an island floating in the Tsushima Strait between Kyushu and Korea. Located at a straight-line distance of 49.5 km from Korea, it is called the "border island." Forests cover 89% of the island's area, and it is home to rare continental species such as the Tsushima wildcat, a national natural monument. Since ancient times, it has also been known as a strategic point for maritime traffic connecting mainland Japan with the continent. While exposed to military tensions with foreign countries, such as the Mongol invasions and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea, it also played an active role as a stage for splendid international diplomacy during the Edo period, fulfilling important roles throughout history. Even now, with approximately 150,000 foreign tourists (as of 2012) visiting the island, its history as a border island continues to be inscribed, unchanged since ancient times.