Far north east Hokkaido - wild places, remote beaches, rare birds,The Ainu people’s, and finally some disputed territory…

Hokkaido travels to date

Rugged coastlines

Cape Erimo and way down there the rare species of Kuril Seals.

It’s the largest colony of some 600 individuals.

Heart shaped lake deep in the forest.

We walked around but in the company of a an old man AND his bear bell.

Wild animals

Just thought it was an interesting reflection

The forest is thick and green

The roads follow the coast and the road is protected from landslides by these long 1/2 tunnels

Wish I had our quad bike to explore.

A never ending black sand beach.

Well this in one way to explore

...with a gyro copter

Bacon & eggs

on the beach

A great surprise to see these very rare Japanese Red Crowned Cranes or Manchurian Crane on lake Yudo as we leave the beach.

The Ainu (pronounced I-new) people are the indigenous of Hokkaido and the islands north into Russia.

They have their own language and culture.

On the shores of Lake Akan is a town with many traditional Ainu offering their products.

The Ainu were only recognised 2008 by the government.

Wild Iris grows in the mash lands.

Yep- BIG BROWN BEAR

Cape Nosappu - the furthest north eastern point you can get to in Japan.

Beyond lies disputed territory- The Habomai Islands were occupied be the Russians in the last few days of WWII and now under Russian administration.

However Japan maintains that under the post war agreement only the Kuril Islands not the Habomai Islands are Russian.

Non the less Russia forcibly removed all the Japanese

peoples and thus the dispute continues

An unusual geographical feature. Tidal and current movements created this loop of sand and sediment

Just had to drive along it.

Home to wild deer and a few fishermen