Okushiri, town in Okushiri district, Hokkaidō, Japan
Okushiri is a small town on an island in Hokkaido surrounded by clear water known as 'Okushiri Blue' for its distinctive blue-green color. The island features dense beech forests, rocky coastal areas with unusual rock formations like the famous Napetsuru Rock, and Mount Tamashima, which offers panoramic views of both forests and sea.
Okushiri was founded as a village in 1906 and became a town in 1966. The community is marked by the devastating 1993 earthquake and tsunami, which struck the island with a wave roughly 33 feet (10 meters) high, causing significant damage and loss of life, leading to major improvements in safety systems and infrastructure.
The name Okushiri comes from the Ainu language, spoken by the region's indigenous people, and means 'island on the other side'. This naming reflects how the community historically viewed their home as a place set apart, and remains a reminder of the deep connection between local residents and their natural surroundings.
Visitors reach Okushiri most easily by plane to the local airport or by ferry from Esashi port, with the ferry ride taking about 2 hours. Once there, you can rent cars or bicycles to explore the quiet roads and scenic routes at your own pace.
The museum on the island documents the devastating 1993 tsunami through photographs and videos, showing how the local community rebuilt and demonstrated its resilience. The collection tells the story of survival and recovery following one of the region's most severe natural disasters.
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