Do you know about “Saru Island” in Kanagawa Prefecture? actually”Saru Island”is an island that was used as a model for the Ghibli anime ″Laputa: Castle in the Sky”. It is also famous as the hideout of Gel Shocker from the first Kamen Rider. by the waySaru IslandIt was originally a fortress island of the former Japanese military. Even today, there are many facilities that remain on the island that remind you of those days. This time, we will introduce in detail Sarushima, Kanagawa Prefecture, a former Japanese military fortress island that was used as a model for Laputa.
①【Sarushima】 A former Japanese military fortress island where you can enjoy a nostalgic world feeling!! ︎
Saru Islandis an uninhabited island located in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Currently”Saru IslandIt is primarily used as a tourist destination as a park.
❶Saru IslandWhat is the size?
Saru IslandThe area is approximately 0.055 km2, which is slightly larger than Tokyo Dome. It is only about 200m from east to west and about 450m from north to south. The maximum altitude is approximately 40m. The circumference is about 1.6 km, and you can walk around it in about 20 minutes just by walking along the walking path. It takes about 1 hour to take a leisurely tour of the facilities. It is located 1.7 km from the mainland and can be reached in about 10 minutes by ferry from the mainland.
➁Saru Island The history of.
Saru Island Was the capital’s defense base in Tokyo Bay from the end of the Edo period until the end of World War II. After that, Japan became the Empire of Japan.Saru Islandis used as a “former Japanese military fortress island.” After the war, it was temporarily confiscated by the United States and returned to Japan in 1961. Also in 1993 Saru IslandThe route to the island has been abolished and entry is prohibited. However, in 1995, entry was lifted and people were able to cross freely. By the way, even when it was temporarily confiscated by the United States, it was freely available.Saru IslandJapanese people were able to cross.
❶It was used as a filming location for movies and dramas.
Saru IslandThe island is used as a filming location for movies and dramas. Sarushima was once a fortified island for the former Japanese military, so there are ruins from the former Japanese military and untouched nature, making it a perfect filming location for movies and dramas that create a unique atmosphere. Famous works include the Ghibli anime “Castle in the Sky” and the first special effects drama ″Kamen Rider.”
➂Saru Island means of travel to.
Saru IslandThe only means of travel is by ferry. Currently, ferries to Sarushima depart from Mikasa Pier once every hour.
①In the summer, 8 round trips a day
②In winter, 7 round trips a day
④The power plant built in the Meiji era is still in operation today.
Saru IslandThe power plant built in 1895 still exists today. It looks like a concrete building with a brick chimney. The power plant is still in operation today and generates electricity using “diesel power generation”, and the island’s electricity is provided here.
⑤ 【Just like the world of Ghibli】 A cut through the fortress ruins‼︎
Kiridoshi is a road cut through a mountain or hill so that people and horses can pass through it. It was used at a time when there was no technology to build tunnels. The fortress ruins are roads built for soldiers of the former Japanese army to pass through. Along the cut-through, the barracks and ammunition depots that were actually used still remain.By the way, Kiridoshi only looks like a mountain from the sky.
⑥ 【Tunnel of Love】 A spot for lovers made of bricks‼︎ ︎
What is the tunnel of love?Saru IslandIt is a tunnel made of French masonry bricks located in the center of the city. The name Tunnel of Love derives from the fact that the interior is dimly lit and when couples pass through it, they walk close to each other hand in hand. It is an all-brick tunnel with a total length of 90m, width of 4m, and height of 4.3m.
⑦The remains of a gun battery on Saru Island.
Saru Island Battery Ruins is the site of a battery built on Sarushima Island. It was mainly located in two areas. The purpose of the Saru Island Battery was to attack incoming enemy aircraft and ships. Additionally, three guns were installed at the end of the Edo period in 1846, seven years before Perry arrived.
▲① First battery: 2 27cm Kano guns (2 guns on the east side of the island)
▲②The second fort: 24cm cannon, 4 turrets and 4 guns (west side of the island)
⑧Excellent scenery!! ︎ Abandoned observation deck and plaza.
Saru IslandThere is a square in the center. There is an abandoned observatory in the square that is no longer in use. This abandoned observation deck was once used for filming in the special effects TV drama ″Kamen Rider” as the hideout of Gel Shocker. It has a nostalgic atmosphere and is recommended for ruin enthusiasts.
⑨【Oimonohana Square】A picnic area by the sea‼︎
Oimonohana Hiroba is a plaza on the north side of Sarushima. There is a table that seats 4 people, so you can eat your lunch while looking out at the ocean. It was originally the site of a gun battery that the Edo Shogunate had set up on the island to prevent foreign ships from invading. On a clear day, it is a scenic point where you can see all the way to Chiba’s Boso Peninsula from the Kannonzaki lighthouse.
⑩Saru Island Access information.
Here you will find detailed information about access to Saru Island. The address of Saru Island is “1 Sarushima, Yokosuka City”.
❶Route from Yokosuka IC to Sarushima by car
| Yokosuka IC (Yokohama Yokosuka Road) ⇒ Prefectural Route 28 ⇒ Mikasa Pier ⇒ Ferry (about 10 minutes) ⇒ Sarushima (landing) |
Summary Saru island
This time, we introduced Sarushima, Kanagawa Prefecture, a former Japanese military fortress island that was used as a model for Laputa. Currently, Kanagawa Prefecture aru Islands a tourist spot that you can easily visit. It is popular among a wide range of people as a place of pilgrimage, as it was used as a model for the Ghibli anime ″Castle in the Sky” and as a filming location for the first generation ″Kamen Rider.” When you visit Kanagawa Prefecture, be sure toSaru IslandWhy not visit?
▲Official site
Thank you for reading to the end. I will continue to convey the beauty of Japan. I hope to enrich your lives even a little. I look forward to your opinions and feedback. I hope you will check out other content on Instagram and YouTube.
See you again…
▲ I will continue to post more like this in the future. Thank you for your support.
Reactions from people in various countries‼︎
Comment