More than half a century ago, wild monkeys living on Kojima Island, Miyazaki Prefecture, drew attention for their habit of washing their food — sweet potatoes at the time — before eating them. Now, they are under the spotlight for eating fish.
With 2016 being the Year of the Monkey, according to the Chinese zodiac, locals are encouraging tourists to visit the island and observe the fish-eating monkeys as part of efforts to revitalize the area.
The uninhabited islet, in the Sea of Hyuga, is about 0.3 sq. km and located some 200 meters off Kushima.