Esanbe Hanakita Kojima, Small island near Sarufutsu, Japan
Esanbe Hanakita Kojima is a small island located off the northern coast of Hokkaido in the Sea of Okhotsk. It sits roughly 500 meters from the mainland and had minimal elevation above sea level.
The Japanese government officially named this island in 2014 to clarify the country's maritime boundaries. This was part of a broader effort to extend economic zones in the region.
Fishermen from the nearby coastal area incorporated this location into their maritime routes and fishing grounds for generations. It served as a practical reference point in their daily work at sea.
The island is accessible by boat from Hokkaido but lies far out in open water. Visitors should expect rough sea conditions and very limited accessibility.
After its discovery in October 2018, the island completely submerged due to erosion from wind and drift ice. This unexpected disappearance had major consequences for Japan's economic zone in the area.
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