I went sightseeing around the island by car. Ildepan, which is about the same size as Miyako Island, has a paved road of about 40 km around. The population of the island is about 2,500. There are only a few Japanese, one of whom is a teacher who teaches Japanese at a school in Ildepan. The island is well-equipped with electricity, but every house has a rainwater tank because the island uses rainwater for water supply. The highest mountain is Mount Enga, which is about 260 meters above sea level. Come to think of it, in the movie “The Island Closest to Heaven,” the main character Banri, played by Tomoyo Harada, climbed the mountain with Mr. Fukaya (Toru Minegishi) and the island children. So, Ildepan, where I stayed for two nights this time, is for me, “I definitely want to go there again someday! I would definitely like to visit Ildepan again someday! It is only a 30-minute domestic flight from Noumea, the capital city, so it is possible to take a day trip, but I strongly recommend staying overnight if you want to fully enjoy the charm of the rustic island and its beautiful scenery!
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