- Home / Destinations / Northern Hokkaido, Asahikawa & Furano / Teuri-to & Yagishiri-to
Northwest of Haboro in the Sea of Japan are the remote pair of tiny islands Teuri-to (天売島) and Yagishiri-to (焼尻島), both fishing hamlets offer unique ecosystems and scenic cycling. Both islands, northern part of Shokanbetsu-Teuri-Yagishiri Quasi-National Park, can be visited on a day trip from Haboro by ferry.
If you have time, Teuri-to is the better choice for an overnight stay for seabird watching. On both islands there is no public transport but you can hire a bike.
Sightseeing
About 25km northwest of Haboro, Yagishiri-to (焼尻島) is something like a remote Scottish island that has a sizable sheep farm, native yew forest and coastal wildflower gardens.
Although it is 4km west of Yagishiri-to, Teuri-to (天売島) plays host to a million seabirds around the scenic coastal cliffs. This tiny island is the world-largest nesting site for Utou (cerorhinca monocerata), and Japan’s only nesting site for very rare Ororon-cho (uria aalge), the region’s symbolic bird. Seabirds arrive in mid March to breed and stay around until mid August.
Yagishiri Historical Museum
羽幌町焼尻郷土館 (旧小納家)
600m from Yagishiri ferry terminal
This semi Western-style wooden house was built in 1900 by a fisherman’s boss. The Kona family ran a general store, accommodation, post and telegraph offices here. Each room has displays on the household implements and old photos. Behind the house is a quiet garden planted with yews. Closed Oct-Apr.
Onko Genseirin
オンコ原生林
750m from Yagishiri ferry terminal
The inland hills have walking trails (bikes are also available) through the impressive Onko Genseirin (Japan’s largest yew forest) in Hibarigaoka Park (雲雀ヶ丘公園), offering quiet spots such as the Onko-no-Sho with ocean views, parks and mini valleys. The main entrance is about 700m south from the Kohei Kaido Monument on the coast.
Suffolk Sheep Farm
めん羊牧場
1.8km from Yagishiri ferry terminal
Occupied the central part of the island, you can look over the tranquil sheep farm and its glasslands along the Onko Kaido (オンコ海道) road. At the western end of the road, the hilltop Takanosu Enchi Park (鷹の巣園地) has the best view of Yagishiri-to. From here, the scenic southern coastal road leads to Shirahama Beach (白浜海岸).
Akaiwa Viewpoint
赤岩展望台
5.6km from Teuri ferry terminal
At the western end of Teuri, about 5km from the port, is a dramatic viewpoint look down on the 48m-high upright rock Aka-iwa, the highlight of the island. The surrounding cliffs are home to a gigantic Utou colony, you will see the countless burrows. Optimal birdwatching timing is dusk from May to July.
Umidori Bird Hide
海鳥観察舎
4.5m from Teuri ferry terminal
About 1km north of Akaiwa Viewpoint, this bird hide on the cliff has binoculars, you can observe umineko (black-tailed gull) and keimafuri (spectacled guillemot).
Kannon-zaki Viewpoint
観音岬展望台
2.7km from Teuri ferry terminal
This is one of Teuri’s main nesting site for umineko, it offers gorgeous cliffs and ocean views.
Sponsored
Hotels
All the ryokan and minshuku offer two meals. Many places are closed in winter.
Photo: じゃらんnet
Yagishiri Guesthouse Yasundeke