Oshima

Oshima (大島) is a Japanese toponym and surname. The name, often romanized Ōshima or Ohshima, literally means “big island” in Japanese and is applied to multiple islands and places across the archipelago. It also appears as a family name in Japan.

Geography and notable uses: The best-known Ōshima is the island off the coast of the Izu Peninsula, administratively part of Tokyo Metropolis. Located in the northern Philippine Sea, the island is of volcanic origin and contains Mount Mihara, a prominent active volcano. The island has settlements along the coast and supports local industries such as fishing, agriculture, and tourism. Access is primarily by ferry from central Tokyo and neighboring ports. The name is used for other smaller islands and municipalities in different prefectures, reflecting its descriptive meaning rather than a single shared identity.

Cultural and administrative context: In addition to geographic uses, Ōshima is a common surname in Japan, appearing across various regions and in contemporary and historical contexts. Because the kanji meaning is generic, the same name can refer to unrelated places that are physically large islands or historically designated as such.

See also: Other spellings and related names, such as Ohshima, may appear in romanizations. The formulation of the name in different prefectures often preserves the same meaning and reflects local geographic features rather than a continuous administrative entity.