Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report Hokkaido—Salmon are at the peak of their upstream migration in the rivers of the eastern Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido Salmon spend three to five years feeding and growing in the open sea before returning to their home rivers to spawn swimming powerfully against the cold currents and vigorously flicking their tails to make it to journey's end the number of salmon in Japan has sharply declined in recent years due to rising sea temperatures caused by global warming While around 70 million salmon returned to Japanese rivers each year in the mid-2000s recent numbers have dropped to between 20 and 30 million The water temperature in the Sashiruigawa river is 9 degrees Mature male salmon develop hooked snouts during the spawning season “Salmon swimming upstream is a symbol of the arrival of autumn in Shiretoko,” said Katsunori Seki an underwater photographer who has been observing salmon in the rivers here “I hope we can continue to witness their powerful journey for years to come,” he said Japanese salmon lose out as rival moves north due to climate change Japan clinches deal with Russia over salmon Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission and in particular adventure tavel places great importance on being sustainable  Here are the latest reports on three regions that are working on sustainable tourism or adventure travel 1. “Asahikawa: building bridges for a greener future” 2.  “Where tourism meets community: the Iwamizawa story” 3.  “In the Heart of Rausu: An Immersive 5-Sensory Experience” ©2022-2025 Hokkaido Tourism Organization The Shiretoko region in eastern Hokkaidō is dominated by the Shiretoko Peninsula jutting out into the Sea of Okhotsk This is home to the Shiretoko Mountain Range The area is also an important breeding and hibernation ground for rare species a 71,100-hectare zone of land and sea in Shiretoko was added to the UNESCO Natural World Heritage List The Shiretoko Mountain Range with sea ice in the foreground A brown bear in Shiretoko Much of the Shiretoko Peninsula and surrounding waters is devoid of people It is believed that when the sightseeing craft Kazu I sank off of Shiretoko in April 2022 phones on the boat were no use because of the limited coverage The wreck of the Kazu I (bottom left) is raised to the surface by a salvage vessel near Shari Locals claim that if cellphone coverage had been better it would have been possible to guide the craft to a harbor of refuge Cellphones are important for fishermen as well the municipalities of Shari (located on the north side of the Shiretoko Peninsula) and Rausu (on the south side) demanded that the central government erect cell towers in an environmentally sustainable manner A plan released by the authorities in response to these calls provides for cellphone towers in the Shiretoko Five Lakes area which has a port as well as accommodation facilities the Cape Shiretoko Lighthouse on the tip of the peninsula When details of the plan were revealed in spring of this year increased concerns were expressed over the environment Of greatest concern was the plan to build a cell tower on the site of the Cape Shiretoko Lighthouse an area that is normally devoid of both people and vehicles the plan called for 264 three-meter-high solar panels on a 7,000 square meter site about the size of a soccer pitch the total footprint of human-made structures being 745 square meters The plan also calls for 2 kilometers of buried cable “Having considered the public interest in safety and convenience we judged that the planned cell tower is appropriate The solar panels will not be visible from the water and will therefore not cause visual pollution.” who championed the movement to put Shiretoko on the World Heritage list during his term as mayor of Shari chairs a residents’ group called “lovers of the Shiretoko natural environment.” Gorai is calling on the central government to rethink its decision to build the tower “When this area was listed by UNESCO almost twenty years ago we hoped that no more artificial structures would be built on the Shiretoko Peninsula,” says Gorai “The way that we have worked together here to protect the environment is what makes Shiretoko so special We must remember that we swore to live here despite the inconvenience that entails and to pass this philosophy down to the next generation.” The residents’ group collected 47,600 signatures from around the country and began submitting the petition to local bodies and the central government in July The petition calls for construction work on the cell towers at the tip of the peninsula to be called off including the Nature Conservation Society of Japan have also expressed concern over the plan to erect a tower on Cape Shiretoko Current Shari Mayor Yamauchi Hiroaki responded by suggesting at the end of May that work at Cape Shiretoko be suspended while construction work on the other towers and for a decision on the Cape Shiretoko tower to be made after it had been determined to what extent coverage had improved “People have expressed concerns on environmental grounds—I think we should take a step back and try and find a solution,” says Yamauchi There have also been claims that not enough time was spent determining the impact on the breeding grounds of the white-tailed eagle A scientific committee for the study of the Shiretoko region as a natural World Heritage monument has asked the Environment Ministry to suspend construction work so that further studies can be conducted on the tower’s impact on vegetation and the eagle’s breeding grounds and sufficient consultation can be held with local residents The lack of explanation around the plan has also been criticized A white-tailed eagle flies over the Shiretoko Peninsula the ministry said it plans to hold a further round of discussions with local residents and other stakeholders regarding studies on the impact on the white-tailed eagle and the rest of the ecosystem Work on the tower has therefore been suspended indefinitely A countermovement calling for the tower to be built as soon as possible is also gaining momentum 12 local fishery organizations and other groups sent a statement to the central and local governments calling for construction to be brought forward The statement argues that the governmental authorities and other stakeholders in the region have already conducted “thorough and repeated consultation” on environmental issues and that no changes should be sought to the plan the secretary of a local organization that endorsed the statement and this creates issues of safety and convenience The boating disaster highlighted this.” “It would be a different story if there was a more environmentally friendly alternative the most sustainable option is to use solar panels to power the tower If there are technological advances in the future the panels can simply be made smaller.” Collectors of kelp and sea urchin are also calling for better cellphone coverage which occupies the southern half of the peninsula has called for the cell towers to be built as soon as possible saying that while the environment is important Work to convert part of the Shiretoko Peninsula to farmland and build check dams to combat erosion began in the early twentieth century through movements like the Shiretoko 100-Square-Meter Movement which called for the establishment of a national trust and appealed for donations from around the country people in the region have worked to conserve the natural environment It has been the complex relationship between the pro- and antidevelopment lobbies that has enabled local residents to restore and preserve the natural environment in Shiretoko All new construction projects that affect the region’s “outstanding universal value” (the criterion for heritage listing) must be reported to UNESCO the Ministry of the Environment decided the cell tower plan was so trivial that it did not need to be reported It was only after receiving inquiries on the matter from UNESCO at the end of August that the ministry informed the international body a lecturer in tourism at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and the chair of a group to debate appropriate ecotourism in the Shiretoko heritage area “Cell towers would be desirable in the interests of safety but we also need to place importance on the natural and visual environment in this World Heritage area Arguments that are biased toward either camp should be avoided.” “The failure to provide sufficient information during the debate process to either those in the environmental movement or the scientific committee We need the protower and pro-environment camps to debate the issue fully and explore the possibility of using satellite phones or other technologies to enhance safety before attempting to reach a higher level of agreement.” the Shiretoko cell tower debate is one of balancing development against the environment including with respect to the large solar panels and buried cables that will be necessary to provide electricity to the facilities Around Japan solar panels are being blamed for visual pollution A Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications survey of 24 prefectures with high rates of solar-panel installation found that 40% had experienced problems The survey found that visual pollution caused by the panels themselves and the need to cut grass and otherwise maintain solar farms The recent nationwide push to install panels in accordance with the central government’s renewable energy policy is causing friction in communities everywhere and Industry has called for discussions with local communities on the issue Where environmental concerns meet the realities of renewable energy Shiretoko is expected to become a model case in which a dispute is solved through compromises from both sides where the government is proposing to build cell towers and install solar panels where nets are dropped along migrating fish routes is at its seasonal peak off the Shiretoko Peninsula on the eastern point of Japan’s northernmost main island Asahi Shimbun reporters dove into one set net in early October off the coast of the town of Rausu fully grown after several years on the high seas A recent fishery catch report says 352,313 heads of salmon were caught in Rausu as of the end of September—a booming 80 percent more than 2023’s haul and the total catch from all regions of Hokkaido is down about 20 percent on average from last year fish of various species were also seen inside the set net on the day of the reporters’ dive were also seen closely crammed together at the bottom of the net “You sometimes even see sunfish and mahi-mahi inside set nets,” said Katsunori Seki “The charm of set net diving is that you can encounter fish migrating offshore.” Today's print edition Home Delivery About 10 orcas were trapped in drift ice off the eastern coast of Hokkaido on Tuesday but by Wednesday it appeared that they had escaped to safety The Japan Coast Guard was alerted Tuesday morning by a fisherman who reported seeing an orca approximately 1 kilometer off the coast of the town of Rausu and surrounded by drift ice the broadcaster reported.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Larger whales can spend long periods underwater can only stay submerged for several minutes at a time In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division. Around 10 killer whales were reported trapped in drift ice off the coast of Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Tuesday, local officials said. The pod of killer whales, including calves, was seen from a small gap in the water's surface around 1 kilometer from the coast, according to the town of Rausu. An official said vessels cannot get close enough to the animals for rescue operations. The town is located on the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido. Shiretoko is recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. "Temperatures are currently low, meaning it is possible the killer whales became trapped between sheets of drift ice," an official at the Kushiro Local Meteorological Office said. The incident comes after the 1st Regional Coast Guard Headquarters on Monday recorded the year's first day in which drift ice could be visually confirmed. By Tuesday, it had largely covered nearby waters. With low temperatures continuing into Wednesday, the area of the drift ice is likely to expand. "Killer whales are highly social animals. If they stay (in the area) as a group to protect their young, they can end up slowly dying from exhaustion," said Mari Kobayashi, professor of marine mammalogy at Tokyo University of Agriculture. In a similar case in Rausu in February 2005, a number of killer whales died after around 10 of the animals became trapped in drift ice. To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox, subscribe here. Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription. Please check your inbox for a confirmation email. If you wish to change your message, press 'Cancel' to go back and edit. Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible. second-largest island is one of the country’s wildest destinations From admiring the drift ice to seeing the iconic red-crowned crane in its home turf we round up some of the best activities that showcase its natural diversity Countless species of marine and avian creatures inhabit the island's shores at different times of the year while the woodlands and mountains are home to some of the largest mammals in the country Here are five nature experiences to help you make the most of your visit Hokkaido’s northern shore is subject to punishing winds that bear down from Russia during the winter These frigid blows also deliver drift ice — frozen chunks of freshwater from the far-off Amur River — that arrives in Hokkaido between late January and early February turning the sea into a blanched landscape of mini-bergs It’s possible to admire the spectacle from the shore or from an icebreaker don a dry suit and join a guided walk on the ice itself More than just a hike into a winter wonderland a drift ice trek is an ideal chance to spot wildlife especially migratory raptors such as Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed eagles which congregate on the frozen landscape to hunt for fish in gaps between the floes Sitting on the Shiretoko Peninsula’s eastern shore transformed from a no-nonsense port into a visitor hotspot Some local fishermen have embraced the times by swapping their nets for passengers; instead of fish they head out to catch sight of migratory wildlife Winter is the prime time to spot sea eagles the latter congregating on Hokkaido’s shores after being pushed south from the Kuril Islands by drift ice Minke and sperm whales come through in the spring and summer while summer and autumn are the peak seasons to scan the shore for Ussuri brown bears which can be seen ambling along the beach from the boat keep an eye out for the elusive and endangered Blakiston’s fish owl The town of Rausu with the mountains of the Shiretoko National Park in the background.Photograph by Getty Images3 Snowshoe in the shadow of volcanoesSticking out like an appendage from Hokkaido’s northeast corner the Shiretoko Peninsula is one of the most untamed spots on an already wild island Both a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site it’s made up of a craggy spine of mountains Near the town of Utoro on the peninsula’s western side the Shiretoko National Park Nature Center offers snowshoe rental — for an easy-to-tackle excursion The route takes hikers through stands of old- and second-growth forest before opening up into a meadow under Mount Tenchosan you’ll reach a cliffside viewpoint overlooking Furepe Waterfall this cascade transforms into frozen pillars of blueish ice and fern-like tendrils to hypnotic effect you may even catch a glimpse of a sea eagle Derived from the word for ‘jawbone’ in the indigenous Ainu language due to its shape resembling that of a whale's the 16-mile Notsuke Peninsula juts out into the Nemuro Strait like a narrow hook Notsuke Peninsula’s beauty lies in its bleakness volcanic rise of Kunashiri is clearly visible across the strait Many of its trees have now died from taking in too much brackish water leaving upright arboreal carcasses that lend the place an otherworldly feel Notsuke Peninsula has some of the best birdwatching in all of Hokkaido Anyone keen to check a few species off their list should bring along a field guide and good pair of binoculars the iconic red-crowned crane — a symbol of Japan — has bounced back: the local Hokkaido population has rebounded to over 1,000.Photograph by Getty Images5 See the red-crowned crane in its natural habitatWhen it comes to Hokkaido’s avian species none is more iconic than the red-crowned crane: not only is this bird a symbol of luck it’s also come to represent the nation as a whole the local population has now rebounded to over 1,000 — most can be spotted in the wetlands of Kushiro Shitsugen National Park with views of the twin volcanoes Mount Meakan and Mount Oakan these wetlands are home to some of the most immaculate nature Hokkaido has to offer including the largest tracts of reedbeds in Japan This has made them a prime habitat for the red-crowned crane and to see this majestic creature on its home turf is an experience not to be missed For more information about Hokkaido, visit en.visit-hokkaido.jp Subscribe to our newsletter and follow National Geographic Traveller (UK) on social media: by ALEXX ALTMAN-DEVILBISS | The National Desk JAPAN (TND) — A pod of orcas appears to have escaped after being trapped by sea ice in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido Officials said they believe the killer whales were able to free themselves from the drift ice as gaps between them grew Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported Tuesday that officials from the town of Rausu had no way to rescue the orcas that a local fisherman first spotted Rescuers told NHK they had no choice but to wait for the ice floes to break apart so they could escape Drone footage by local wildlife organization shows the whales struggling in the ice as they bob up and down out of the water After analyzing the footage filmed by a conservationist group where a group of killer whales were trapped in ice off the coast of Rausu The Dolphin Project put out an urgent call to action Tuesday asking authorities in Japan to let Russia send icebreakers to help the orcas The nonprofit organization included sample letters to send to the Prime Minister Ministry of Environment and Rausu Town Hall Japanese media reported that around 15-17 killers whales got trapped in the ice in the strait between the Hokkaido and Kunashir island near city of Rausu," part of a letter reads "These killer whales could possibly belong to an endangered population listed in endangered list of Russian Federation." Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters on Wednesday that killer whales are not designated as an endangered species in Japan and that officials were monitoring the situation while Japan and Russia communicated over the issue ___Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this report Feb 7 (EFE).- A pod of around 15 orcas has been reported trapped in ice floes off the coast of the Shiretoko peninsula A fisherman and the NGO Wildlife Pro LLC warned on Tuesday morning that orcas appeared to be struggling to get out of a gap in the ice about a kilometer off the coast of the town of Rausu describing the situation as sad as the thickness of the ice was preventing coast guard boats getting close enough to help the whales noticed the mammals while researching the local sea lion population in the area and were sticking their heads out of a hole in the ice and seemed to be struggling to breathe The authorities of the town of Rausu said they had no choice but to wait for the ice to break up The orcas could not be sighted during an inspection of the area on Wednesday and the Rausu authorities said they hoped they had escaped as the gap in the drift ice had opened up professor of marine mammalogy at Tokyo University of Agriculture staying together in the area in order to protect their calves a number of orcas died after becoming trapped in drift ice in Rausu Spots Cherry Blossom・Autumn Leaves Eastern Hokkaido boasts magnificent natural scenery such as Shiretoko and the Kushiro Wetlands and is a treasure trove of beautiful scenery that can only be seen in autumn Here are 10 recommended spots to see autumn leaves in Eastern Hokkaido Iwanai Senkyo is a place where beautiful mountain stream scenery spreads out amongst the majestic nature The autumn leaves are especially beautiful and the mountain stream overlooked from the suspension bridge is very impressive The Iwanai Senkyo Momiji Festival is also held every year in mid-October The festival also sells local gourmet food and agricultural products and is attracting attention as a spot where you can fully enjoy Tokachi's autumn and autumn leaves Mikuni Pass is the highest pass in Hokkaido It is a scenic spot overlooking the mountains in the distance and the vast ocean of trees below which appears to be floating in the sky amid the ocean of trees There is also an observation deck with a cafe next door A caldera lake located in Akan Mashu National Park The view of Mount Oakan towering on the eastern shore is magnificent and the lake shows beautiful faces in every season including the autumn leaves that surround it The lake is also famous for the "Lake Akan Marimo" a rare special natural monument that is rare worldwide and one of Hokkaido's leading hot spring towns spreads out on the southern shore Located near the source of the Akan River near Akan Onsen town the abundant water from Lake Akan and Lake Taro flows as a waterfall The bridge is named Takimi Bridge because you can see the waterfall flowing The clear stream flowing among the vivid red and yellow autumn leaves is as beautiful as a garden This pass is located on the border between Rausu and Shari on the Shiretoko Cross-Island Highway which crosses the World Heritage Site of Shiretoko you can enjoy beautiful autumn foliage on the mountains and primeval forests of trees such as Mizunara and Todomatsu you can see all the way to Kunashiri Island Kinsenkyo is a valley on the Shokotsu River that flows through the city From the promenades along both banks of the river and wild birds throughout the four seasons: fresh greenery reflecting in the clear waters in spring It is also known as a great place for birdwatching Lake Nukabira is a place where you can enjoy nature observation in all four seasons and is garnering attention as an outdoor spot where you can enjoy cherry salmon and rainbow trout in the summer and smelt fishing from the frozen lake surface in the winter It is also popular in the autumn when the leaves change color and the yellow foliage reflects off the lake surface Oshinkoshin Falls is also known as the "Twin Beauties Falls" because the water flow splits into two midway and is a popular spot that has been selected as one of the "100 Best Waterfalls in Japan." You can climb up to the middle of the falls via stairs and see the powerful flow right in front of you the surrounding area of the falls is colored with autumn leaves This is the only natural lake in Daisetsuzan National Park It is surrounded by a primeval forest of Sakhalin fir and the lake's beauty is enhanced by its changing appearance with the seasons is called Kuchibiruyama (Lip Mountain) because of its shape and the shadow it reflects on the lake's surface This garden is open to the public only once a year for a limited period of about one month The planted trees and the surrounding natural forest are in perfect harmony creating a beautiful garden colored with autumn leaves It is a spot where you can look forward to seeing the different expressions of the autumn leaves every year This is a popular spot in eastern Hokkaido during the autumn foliage season parts of Lake Notoro are covered in red coral grass creating a different atmosphere from the autumn leaves allowing you to walk into the coral grass that spreads out as far as the eye can see [7 minutes walk from Sapporo Station] Enjoy hot springs A comfortable stay at the 605-room "Sapporo Hotel by Granbell" [Updated for 2025] A complete guide to accessing Daiwa House Premist Dome (Sapporo Dome) and nearby hotels "So cute it's unfair" - Feel the healing power of a sleeping miniature horse [Information on the early opening on April 25th] Sapporo Odori's newest attraction Floor details and highlights of "4PLA" opening in summer 2025 A hotel in the center of Sapporo with a superb sauna and large public bath Experience the warmth that is unique to Hokkaido at "Danyuki Sapporo" [2025 Edition] 7 recommended cherry blossom spots in the Kitami and eastern Hokkaido areas Enjoy cherry blossom viewing in the great outdoors Seasonal “news” of Hokkaido can be checked by category You can check the information of your “town” in one place Events” held throughout the province are easy to find and can be saved This page has been automatically translated by Google Translate service A pod of killer whales that drifted into the coastal town of Rausu drone footage captured Tuesday by a local wildlife organization shows Members of an organization called Wildlife Pro were in the middle of marine research off the island of Hokkaido when a local fisherman spotted orcas trapped by sea ice, NHK World Japan reported. The organization went to the scene to capture the footage “I saw about 13 killer whales with their heads sticking out of a hole in the ice,” a Wildlife Pro employee and it looked like they included three or four calves.” Orca update: Orcas trapped by ice in Japan not spotted day after, officials hope they got away safely Ice presents danger to orca podThe footage shows the whales taking turns coming up for air in a small section where the ice has broken up A lack of wind in the region means the ice may not divide to create enough space for the pod to travel through Local officials say they have no way of rescuing the pod safely “We have no choice but to wait for the ice to break up and for them to escape that way,” a Rausu official told NHK Orcas strike back: Sinking another yacht in Europe after 45-minute attack The ice that surrounds the coast of Hokkaido is the lowest latitude sea ice in the world Officials say Rausu has seen levels decline over the years as the Earth warms The last time the town saw an incident like this was in 2005 when a pod of killer whales became trapped the same way The pair of white orcas swim side by side off the coast of Rausu in Hokkaido Distinctive rake marks are seen across the body of this white orca but they are not visible on their black skin Whale watchers in Japan were recently treated to a rare wildlife encounter when they saw, not one, but two white orcas swimming side by side.  The pair and their pod were spotted by a group on a Gojiraiwa Kanko Whale Watching boat off the coast of Rausu on the northernmost of Japan's main islands called Hokkaido on July 24, according to a Facebook post.  can be the result of either albinism or leucism.  Related: 13 bizarre things that washed up on beaches a research fellow at Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) in the U.K. "Leucism results from defects in pigment cells and can be patchy."  Albinism in orcas is the result of inbreeding but there is no clear evidence to suggest that this negatively impacts the killer whales in any other way Leucism is the result of a random genetic mutation and also doesn't seem to impact the orcas' health "The homogenous creamy yellowish coloration in these killer whales would indicate albinism," Hoyt said the only way to tell for certain would be to see their eyes (which are not visible in the images); pink eyes would mean the killer whales are albinos Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox both orcas have very visible scratch-like markings These marks are caused by the teeth of other orcas most likely as a form of playing rather than actual fighting but you can't see them as well," Hoyt said the white orcas in the most recent photos have an "exceptionally large number of markings," he added It is unclear exactly how many white orcas exist across the globe but certain populations are known to have more white individuals than others —In photos: A rare albino Risso's dolphin —Deep blue sea: Winning underwater photographs —In photos: Tracking humpback whales in the South Pacific Ocean  That North Pacific population is found primarily in Russian waters but some are also transient — an ecotype or subspecies of killer whales that have a wide geographical range — meaning they could have made the trip to northern Japan "These Hokkaido orcas with two white individuals may well be a group coming from adjacent Russian waters," Hoyt said Editor's Note: This article was updated at 4:10 a.m 2021 to include a missing paragraph including information on Erich Hoyt and the WDC 'Incredible and rare' sight as endangered whale attacked by 60 orcas in brutal hunt Orcas off Antarctica filmed teaching calves to hunt in incredible new footage Archaeologists discover hundreds of metal objects up to 3,400 years old on mysterious volcanic hilltop in Hungary which are so rare worldwide that they are sometimes referred to as “phantoms,” were spotted off the coast here in Shiretoko Peninsula on June 17 A sightseeing cruise staff member captured several pictures of the extraordinary marine mammals This was the first time since 2021 that two white orcas had been seen at the same time one was spotted in the waters off Rausu last year “I was moved to see them swimming powerfully on the waves This was once-in-a-lifetime event for our tourists a professor of marine ecology at Tokai University said there are two factors that can cause animals to appear pale or white rather than the normal coloration of their species which means an organism is genetically unable to synthesize melanin Oizumi said that since science has not yet uncovered the reason for white orcas Officials lose sight of orcas trapped by drift ice off Hokkaido Pod of about 15 killer whales spotted playing near Hokkaido First footage of a humpback whale ‘snacking’ on fish missed by fleet Around 10 killer whales found trapped in drift ice off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido likely escaped as they appear to no longer be there "As the gap in the drift ice started to open it's likely they escaped," said an official of the town of Rausu after the animals could not be spotted through binoculars Wednesday morning a pod of killer whales that included calves was seen from a small gap in the water's surface around 1 kilometer from the coast The town could not carry out a rescue operation as its vessels were unable to get to the animals after the space between the drift ice may have been frozen and blocked by low temperatures In a similar case in Rausu in February 2005 a number of killer whales died after around 10 of them became trapped in drift ice The town of Rausu is located on the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido Shiretoko is recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site by the U.N Around 10 killer whales trapped in drift ice off Hokkaido To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription Please check your inbox for a confirmation email Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible Hokkaido--Large groups of scallops have covered the seafloor along the coast of the town here in the eastern Shiretoko Peninsula creating a breathtaking sight underwater as far as the eye can see The scallops began gathering here in early June They typically disappear when the water temperature drops in autumn Measuring around 10 centimeters in diameter the scallops were blanketing the seafloor without any space in between in mid-June The water temperature was measured at 8 degrees A maximum of 59 scallops per square meter were recorded at a depth of around 10 meters according to previous research conducted by Yasuto Nishino professor of biological oceanography at the Tokyo University of Agriculture “It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of scallops gather in this limited area in Rausu alone,” he said “The whole reason for the gathering here is still shrouded in mystery The topography is considered one of the reasons the scallops congregate in this coastal sea area The area has a place where the land stretches out toward the sea Nishino believes it creates an environment conducive to the gathering of the scallops’ food source He said this may lead to a “virtuous cycle” that further increases the amount of phytoplankton While scallops usually stay still on the seafloor a professor of aquaculture at the Tokyo University of Agriculture enabling them to detect approaching predators such as starfish Scallops use a jet propulsion system in swimming forcefully expelling water from between their two shells When they want to move to another location they propel themselves by repeatedly pushing out small bursts of water many individuals were seen moving while stirring up the sand on the seafloor Smaller scallops tend to swim more actively and some of them move by repeatedly jetting water GOHAN LAB/ Dressing: Using ‘bankan’ citrus fruit helps bring out deep flavor of scallops TEPCO opts to build undersea tunnel to release tainted water Dog-killing bear ‘RT’ killed after 4 years of terror in Hokkaido town TASTE OF LIFE/ Sauteed scallops with cream sauce: Discover creative ways to cook with an exciting yet simple dish Hokkaido–A rare sighting of a starving brown bear scrounging desperately for food underscored the severe crisis facing the apex predator on the eastern coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula Images captured from a tour boat off the coast on Sept turning over rocks on the beach and rummaging through washed-ashore seaweed in search of fish typically wait at estuaries for pink salmon swimming upstream to spawn from mid-August to early October bears have been swimming in the sea because they can’t find the fish at the mouths of rivers and they are having a tough time,” said Katsuya Noda For the approximately 500 brown bears that inhabit the area pink salmon are an essential food source in late summer Most bears lose weight in summer because there are not enough plants to eat The arrival of pink salmon helps them gain weight before they head to the mountains to fatten up on acorns and other food and then hibernate for winter bears in the area were reportedly starving to death because salmon didn’t return to the rivers at the normal time a researcher at the Shiretoko Nature Foundation acorns also have a poor harvest,” Yamanaka said “An estimated 70 to 80 percent of the cubs born this year are dead Bear attacks on humans in Japan rising at an alarming rate VOX POPULI: Days numbered for exotic animals we once took for granted Cunning brown bear continues to slaughter cattle in Hokkaido Brown bears spotted in Hokkaido in the middle of winter a type of conger eel called “kurohamo” doesn’t win any prizes in the looks department Fishermen rarely found any use for the deep-sea fish when they landed up in their nets the fish was generally regarded as unappetizing But that was before a local restaurateur developed a cooking method that has captivated diners across the country through word of mouth as a topping for “donburi” rice bowl dishes Kurohamo is now regarded as a more than passable alternative to Japanese unagi eel and whitespotted congers which have sharply risen in price in recent years due to dwindling catches mainly caused by overfishing But as details about its life remains largely unknown an expert is calling for more research to determine sustainable catches kurohamo has become increasingly popular and is now our main offering,” said Koji Nomura a local restaurant that serves the “Kurohamo-don” rice bowl dish said he provides up to 130 servings in a single day Many of those who order the dish for the first time are amazed by the hefty size and thickness of the kurohamo fillets the caramel brown-colored fillets are tender and melt in the mouth the fish meat contains as much fat as that of eel a popular ingredient in Kyoto-style cuisine the fillets are prepared with the “honekiri” technique to make small cuts in the flesh to slice through the spiny bones Kurohamo-don featured at some local eateries a dozen or so years back when Nomura opened his restaurant at a roadside rest area in Rausu He also added the dish to his regular menu but it didn’t prove popular at first as customers were put off by the “slightly fishy” smell of the skin Nomura set about finding new ways of cooking the deep-sea fish he places the fillets on a griddle over hot coals then adds moisture to make them tender before searing the skin with a burner to give them a crunchy texture whose ingredients remain a closely guarded secret The dish has gradually gained popularity in recent years and many customers are drawn to Shiretoko Shokudo simply for the Kurohamo-don Kurohamo caught off Rausu are officially called “irako anago” (Kaup’s arrowtooth eel) head researcher and specialist in aquaculture science at the Central Fisheries Research Institute managed by the Hokkaido Research Organization’s Fisheries Research Department The fish mainly dwell at depths of between 400 and 2,000 meters the blackish eel has a large mouth and preys on squid and other fish “I couldn’t grab it by the hand when I was younger because it looks like a snake and felt creepy,” recalled Kazumi Ishida a director of a local fishery cooperative association and we could only throw them away or cook them for ourselves when we caught them Kurohamo-don is also served at Jun no Banya in Rausu so I have to put in extra effort in applying the honekiri technique,” said Seiichi Funaki 71 “A number of my customers are regulars from Tokyo and other areas of the Kanto region I’m glad to see its popularity is growing.” Irako anago belongs to the Synaphobranchidae family of the order Anguilliformes another member of the order Anguilliformes as it has a reputation for restoring vigor But its population has drastically declined due to overfishing ecological destruction of the riverine environment and other factors The International Union for Conservation of Nature included the Japanese eel in its list of endangered species in 2014 Catches of “ma-anago,” or whitespotted conger which is also a member of the order Anguilliformes and is used in a wide variety of dishes such as sushi and “nitsuke” (simmered fish) have also dramatically decreased in recent years irako anago has come under the spotlight as a substitute for kabayaki and nitsuke dishes The fish is caught in abundance in Pacific waters off the Sanriku coast of the Tohoku region Packaged “ni-anago” (boiled anago) and other processed products have become a regular feature on the shelves of supermarkets in Tokyo Osaka and elsewhere across the country in recent years an assistant professor at Hokkaido University specializing in systematic ichthyology offered a word of caution as the life expectancy egg-laying sites and other details about the eel remain largely unknown we have little knowledge of what sort of catch is sustainable We need to study and thoroughly research things about its population and ecology to find an appropriate harvest control,” he said Tokyo sushi chef creates frozen version of famed tuna bowl Literary giant Mori Ogai’s favorite dishes recreated Data center in Hokkaido uses server-cooling snow to raise eels TASTE OF LIFE/ Mackerel sushi: The art of letting fish sit in stages adds color to special occasions Panic erupts on Tokyo train after drunken sushi chef drops knife Big sushi chains: No impact from Russia sanctions where I spent a week doing research for my 2019 photo tour The exploration took me to Biei for snow-scapes and Tsurui-mura for wildlife it was easy to get to Biei and settle for the next three nights Biei is a town located in Kamikawa Sub-prefecture it is known for its minimalist snow-scapes I found my Canon F4 100-400mm lens was perfect for shooting over fences and into the fields and this worked perfectly to get most of the shots I needed almost all my snow-scapes and wildlife shots were done with this lens Biei in Hokkaido is filled with great black and white snowscapes The winter light can be soft and luminous on the best of days but be patient when it's looking flat and dark The light and dark tones that reveal folds in the snow-scapes are key to a successful image the challenge is to find at least three points or areas on the landscape and to use them to create a harmonious balance in your frame Try a great leading line and a dominant focal point to rest your eyes for detail and interest The subtle red fox tracks were a small detail in some shots that really added to the ambiance Atmosphere was also brought about more easily with a little wind to kick up the powder snow Diamond dust with the morning light was a very special capture if the conditions were perfect I ventured to the South and Northeast parts of Hokkaido to visit three key areas: Tsurui-mura Tsurui-mura was my base for photographing red-crowned cranes and Ural owls The crane sanctuary is a great spot to be at 9 a.m and every morning after sunrise they also gather on a river nearby Be prepared for hundreds of keen photographers and their tripods to be shoulder-to-shoulder with you. Most will be set up with an 800mm lens going trigger happy at 10 frames per second but most shooters love to combine the birds dancing in the snow during February feeding from the sanctuary will slow down to encourage the birds to be more self-sufficient we ventured by car two hours northeast to the coastal port of Rausu we boarded a small cruise boat to search for sea eagles to feed on the ice The Shiretoko Peninsula as seen on the long panorama shot below was stitched from eight hand-held images The 5D Mark III is not built for sports so I was a sniper If you decide to travel at this time of year be aware that extremely cold weather can affect both you and your gear Your feet and hands are the most important parts to protect to avoid frostbite I had three layers for every part of my body I bought rubber high boots with good grippy soles to avoid slipping on icy surfaces You can also attach spikes to your boots if needed Heat packs that last 24 hours can be purchased from most convenience stores These are handy to keep your batteries warm if extremely cold Keep your camera in your bag to keep it warm when you're not shooting This article is a beginner guide so for all the winter pros out there A self-drive with very short distances will minimize any risks and give you a chance to go slow and stop along the way Snowstorms and road closures can happen so best to plan for a possible change of weather My seven-day itinerary allows for a slow pace and many opportunities to get a second shot at the same location Alfonso Calero is a travel photographer from Sydney specializing in portraits and landscapes He's a regular traveler with small photo workshops and tours in Australia I'm curious as to how much actual experience Mr The weather can be unforgiving at times with thunderstorms mixing with snow and cutting visibility to 0% on the roads How long did he scout this itinerary before starting to lead workshops in the region 7 lost sight of about 10 killer whales that were spotted the previous day struggling to breathe as drift ice closed in around them just off the coast here Rausu municipal officials said that they could no longer spot the orcas when they searched the area with binoculars from the shore for two hours in the morning An official said he hopes that the killer whales have managed to escape surfacing their heads above the water to breathe through a small gap in the ice the stranded killer whales are likely part of a pod of about 20 that had been migrating through the Nemuro Strait for several days Rescuing the trapped animals is extremely challenging due to the inaccessibility of the site “The area is covered in thick drift ice and it doesn’t seem like they have anywhere to escape to,” said a tour employee so I hope they managed to find a way out somehow.” Although there were still gaps in the drift ice early that morning the ice grew quickly to cover the entire sea surface forcing all but the first cruise that day to be canceled After receiving a report about trapped orcas the tour employee drove to the coast and spotted the mammals about 1 kilometer off the shore She confirmed with binoculars that the black and white heads of the killer whales were “popping out” from small gaps in the ice as they exhaled spouts of air and water The orcas remained stuck at that spot while she observed them from 8:30 a.m Special train in Hokkaido offers chance to witness drift ice at sea Study: Shrinking ice leads to more powerful waves in Sea of Okhotsk Drift ice reaches coast of scenic peninsula where tour boat sank Tourists marvel at winter’s first drift ice in waters off Hokkaido please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent Local fishermen discovered a pod of killer whales trapped amid drift ice about one kilometer off the coast of Rausu Tuesday and alerted the municipal government Rausu is in the southern part of the Shiretoko Peninsula which researches Shiretoko’s sea lions and other wildlife The orcas were crowded together in a small area of open water between the drift ice repeatedly sticking out their heads to breathe The drift ice appeared in Shari on the northern side of the Shiretoko Peninsula on Monday reaching the coast of Rausu by Tuesday morning nine killer whales became trapped in drift ice off the coast of Rausu and later died Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Hokkaido—Two extremely rare all-white killer whales were seen splashing in waters off Hokkaido in what tour operators say could be the world’s first such sighting In ordinary years with the arrival of summer sperm whales have replaced orca pods among cetacean species seen in the Nemuro Strait off this town on the Shiretoko Peninsula participants of a nature tour have not only seen dozens of the apex predators but also white killer whales operator of whale-watching tours based in Rausu They swam beside each other among a pod of about 20 individuals The pair is believed to be a male and a female judging from the size and shape of their bodies and dorsal fins “We are seeing more orcas this year than usual,” said Yuki Hasegawa captain of the Shiretoko Nature Cruise boat “Two white individuals seen swimming side by side may be unprecedented in the world.” White orcas have been sighted at only 10 locations in the North Pacific over the past 100 years The Nemuro Strait of the northern main island of Hokkaido is the only place in Japan where white killer whales have been reported Other places include the west coast of Canada and Aleutian Islands in the U.S The precise cause of the all-white coloration of the killer whales is still unclear the result of defects in melanin production or the product of a random genetic mutation known as Leucism White killer whales were also seen off Rausu in May and July 2019 one in a group and the other in a separate pod “One of the two individuals spotted recently could be the one seen in 2019,” Oizumi said “Waters off Rausu may be in the migration range of killer whales.” Cancer victim honors five-year bond with stray beluga whale Ministries pursuing world recognition for 5 national parks Southwestern island chain added as World Heritage site gone: Hokkaido’s ‘Phantom bridge’ on its last legs Hokkaido--Hunters killed a brown bear dubbed “RT” that was blamed for the deaths or injuries of eight pet dogs during a four-year rampage in this northern town The meager bear weighed about 200 kilograms but in its prime it may have weighed more than twice that News that RT is dead was welcomed by town residents but authorities are calling on them to remain alert as bear sightings have increased in recent months The bear was nicknamed “Rusha Taro,” RT for short after the Rusha district of the neighboring town of Shari Rausu and Shari are both located in the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido an area of outstanding natural beauty designated a World Natural Heritage site Five dogs were killed in Rausu between 2018 and 2020 during four separate brown bear attacks another dog was killed and two were mauled in the grounds of a house DNA tests on saliva and hair samples on the dogs showed that the attacks were carried out by the same animal a trail camera in Rausu captured footage of a bear that appeared to be RT prompting the town office and Shiretoko Nature Foundation to set up a box trap in a nearby mountain area the following day An adult male brown bear found in the trap was electrocuted on July 11 The bear’s DNA samples examined at Hokkaido University came up with a match for RT on July 14 an adult male brown bear weighing a massive 425 kg was killed in Rausu by members of the Hokkaido prefectural hunting association head of the Rausu division of the association’s Nakashibetsu branch who assisted in the hunt had long taken part in the efforts to track and kill RT he barely escaped with his life when RT suddenly appeared in front of him who watched RT’s body after it was dismembered said the bear was “skinny but had very thick bones.” RT could have been as big as the animal killed in December “I think it had difficulty feeding itself due to its age and ended up coming to town to eat garbage and target dogs.” He added the aging animal could have been doomed to die of hunger or be killed by another brown bear Bear sightings in Rausu totaled 125 between April and June up sharply from the 78 during the same period last year we cannot let down our guard with regard to bears,” a town official said “We urge residents to take thorough measures to keep bears away including not leaving garbage or sun-dried fish outside.” Home → Environment → Animals White orcas are so rare they were thought to be a myth until recently Hayakawa is no stranger to the waters off the coast of Rausu Hayakawa has documented the lives of land and sea animals from the elusive Japanese dwarf flying squirrel to the majestic orcas that glide through the icy waves the Japanese photographer came across the wildlife encounter of his dreams “This is the first time I’ve encountered a white orca after 15 years of photographing orcas in Rausu,” Hayakawa wrote on X 2024.6.17 14:46北海道羅臼沖で白いシャチに遭遇しました。2021年に目撃された2頭の白いシャチと同じ個体かもしれません。発見したのは『観光船はまなす』と思われます。私が乗っていたのは『知床ネイチャークルーズ… pic.twitter.com/Fm5AisJFJ3 its cream-colored body bright against the deep blue sea Hayakawa’s hands trembled as they reached for the camera “My legs were shaking as I photographed the white orcas I met for the first time,” Hayakawa later wrote on Instagram “[It] looks like a golden-ish cream-colored orca synthesized into a blue sea Hayakawa returned to the same spot and spotted a second white orca — this time Both whales swam effortlessly among their typically black-and-white counterparts their pale bodies standing out like ghosts in the water the Japanese often call white orcas “phantoms” The unusual coloration of these orcas likely stems from a condition called leucism, a partial loss of pigmentation, The Dodo says Melanin is at the center of this phenomenon which results in a complete absence of melanin and often causes pink or red eyes leucism leaves darker pigments in the eyes and sometimes faint markings on the body “The eyes appear black,” the photographer noted which is why leucism is the likely culprit here While it doesn’t typically affect an animal’s health it can make them more visible to predators orcas are apex predators in their ecosystems but these white orcas seemed to be accepted and protected by their pod Hayakawa hopes to return to the waters of Rausu to document more of these extraordinary creatures “I hope to discover another little white whale in the pod one day.” The two white orcas he recently photographed may be the same pair spotted in 2021 near the Kunashirskiy Strait a 20-mile stretch of water between Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido and Russia’s Kunashir Island both orcas swam effortlessly among their typically black-and-white counterparts The 2021 orcas included an older individual and a younger one that was never seen before The younger orca had clearly visible scratch marks down its back White orcas were once so rare they were thought to be mythical. But in recent years, sightings have increased. Scientists are now aware of at least five white orcas alive today, including Frosty a young orca frequently spotted off the coast of California it is another little victory,” said Alisa Schulman-Janiger lead research biologist for the California Killer Whale Project As the white orcas disappeared into the depths they left behind a sense of awe — and a promise that the ocean still holds secrets waiting to be discovered © 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science © 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science Japanese media report that pod of orcas became trapped in ice close to Rausu on Shiretoko peninsula Concern is growing for the welfare of a pod of orcas that appear to have become trapped in drift ice off the coast of Hokkaido in northern Japan Footage aired by the public broadcaster NHK on Tuesday showed at least 10 orcas poking out of a small gap in the surface of the water about 1 km off the coast of Rausu on the Shiretoko peninsula – a Unesco world heritage site famed for its abundant wildlife. The town said the thick ice had made it impossible for the coast guard, which had been alerted by a fisher, to attempt to free the mammals. “We have no choice but to wait for the ice to break up and for them to escape that way,” a Rausu official told NHK. Read moreSeiichiro Tsuchiya, a marine life expert who filmed the stricken animals using a drone told the broadcaster he noticed the pod while conducting research into the local sea lion population A pod of about 10 killer whales has been found trapped in a small gap in drift ice off the coast of Rausu, a town in northeastern Hokkaido. According to NHK, "the town can only watch and hope that the drift ice breaks apart, allowing the orcas to escape." pic.twitter.com/AKLnGvgU2O “I saw about 13 killer whales with their heads sticking out of a hole in the ice,” he said The largest cetaceans can spend long periods underwater but orcas generally stay submerged for only several minutes at a time The sea off eastern Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island, is blanketed in drift ice every winter. The quantity of ice has decreased in recent years because of rising sea temperatures caused by the climate crisis Officials said a lack of wind in this week meant the ice sheets had barely moved It is not the first time that orcas have got into difficulty in the area several of the whales died after becoming trapped in sea ice off Rausu a popular whale-watching spot in the summer Shiretoko – “land’s end” – is the lowest point in the northern hemisphere in which it is possible to observe Arctic sea ice The ice’s origins lie 1,000km away in the freezing waters of the Amur River in the Russian Far East As they make their way south across the Sea of Okhotsk crystals turn into sheets that rub against one another to form thick slabs of blue-white ice Archaeologists believe that thousands of years ago the ice covered an area large enough to migrate on foot from mainland Asia to Hokkaido appears to be trapped by sea ice off the coast of Japan Public broadcaster NHK reported the tragic situation on Tuesday Officials say they have no way to rescue the orcas which were first spotted by a local fisherman “We have no choice but to wait for the ice to break up and for them to escape that way,” an official in Rausu A local fisherman contacted the Rausu Coast Guard Station on Tuesday morning to report seeing a killer whale stuck by the ice drift not far from the shore Drone footage shared Tuesday by a local wildlife organization shows the whales struggling in a small gap between ice flows The organization said it encountered the whales while doing marine research “I saw about 13 killer whales with their heads sticking out of a hole in the ice,” a Wildlife Pro LLC employee a group of killer whales were also trapped in drift ice off the coast of the town and later died according to NHK citing Rausu town officials and Jerome Taylor contributed to this story longtime kelp farmer Shigeki Aiki found that his konbu seedlings had many fewer leaves that were to be processed for food Only one to two out of every 10 survived the high ocean temperatures between September and October last year who has cultured kelp or more than 30 years is concerned about the effects of the high water temperatures in Rausu located on the Shiretoko Peninsula in Japan's main island of Hokkaido cultivators saw the seaweed’s output down by 50 to 80 percent at more than one farm last year Konbu are cultivated on ropes set up in the ocean the ocean surface temperature reached “an unprecedented level” for local fishermen of nearly 25 degrees “Higher water temperatures cause konbu roots to rot,” Aiki said Global warming is bringing on a succession of negative effects on a range of marine creatures across Japan such as the relocated habitats of fish and fluctuations in seafood catches Concerns are growing that the summer heat wave expected this year as well may further exacerbate the situation “Ise-ebi” spiny lobsters have recently gone on display at Iwate Prefecture’s fishery science museum in Miyako They have been hauled ashore locally since last fall Their northernmost fishing ground was previously thought to be the region off Ibaraki Prefecture near Tokyo The museum operator stated that two ise-ebi were spotted for the first time in 2021 in local Miyako Bay and Yamada Bay 18 were discovered through late December in 2023 “That is likely due to the influence of global warming,” noted a museum representative pointing to the fact that the water temperature was 2 to 4 degrees higher than usual last year including giant trevally and spangled emperor can likewise be seen this year although they were not available there previously Data from the Japan Meteorological Agency shows the sea surface temperatures along the Japanese archipelago have risen an average of 1.28 degrees over the past 100 years The mercury hit a record high for the period from June last year through February this year for the third season in a row for the first time since record-keeping began in 1982 Many fish species are believed to have changed their habitats due to the recent rise in seawater temperatures The cutlassfish catch has declined to one-sixth that of 10 years previously in the three prefectures of Ehime Whereas the seafood is renowned as a specialty of western Japan the catch was up 25-fold to 551 tons in Iwate Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures in northeastern Japan The yellowtail heads southward from Hokkaido for the Sea of Japan in the fall and is caught heavily off the coasts of Toyama Yellowtail served during the coldest season is a well-known specialty but the species’ yield has more than halved over the last decade the yellowtail production off Hokkaido shot up 20 times from that in the 1990s Seeing a spike in the catches of certain seafood varieties some regions are moving to make those newcomers local delicacies But it remains unclear whether these efforts will successfully pan out The Japanese Spanish mackerel heralds the arrival of spring in the Seto Inland Sea as its kanji name comprised of radicals representing “fish” and “spring” suggests The species has notably changed its distribution pattern due to the rise in ocean surface temperatures the fish could be found in the Seto Inland Sea and elsewhere in the East China Sea The mackerel’s fishing grounds have shifted northward from the northern Kyushu region to the Sanriku region None of the Japanese Spanish mackerel were traditionally caught off Niigata Prefecture catches started increasing around 2000 and reached a peak of 556 tons in 2016 The output of the mackerel variant plummeted by upward of 200 tons year on year to 74 tons in 2022 or 21 percent of the level the previous year “Hundreds of the mackerel were caught daily in seasons with good harvests but the fish may have headed farther northward owing to the unusually hot weather,” said Daisuke Akai captain of a stationary net fishing boat in Niigata Prefecture which is typically found en masse off Nagasaki Prefecture and other places in Kyushu The only option for us might be catching whatever fish we encounter.” The total seafood catch in Japan has been on a continuous decline Changes in fisheries conditions stemming from global warming alongside the shrinking population of fishermen and their advanced age as well as overfishing and various other factors have emerged as problematic in recent years According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture reached a peak of 12.82 million tons in 1984 The figure sank on a continual basis to 3.91 million tons in 2022 when comparable counts first became available a former deputy director-general of the Fisheries Agency who has long been involved in the implementation of fishery policies said fishing should be halted to wait for resources to recover at the time of a poor catch this countermeasure does not appear to be enough to bring seafood output back toward recovery given that keeping pace with rapid environmental changes associated with global warming with this alone looks unrealistic Miyahara said juvenile fish from the species used to grow in nutrient-rich waters off Japan Fry are now driven to offshore areas by the altered Kuroshio current deriving from global warming They are more likely to become thin and die in waters with few food sources far from the coasts non-Japanese fishing boats navigate the open ocean to overhunt saury creating a vicious cycle resulting in poor catches The Fisheries Agency is beefing up aquatic resource control through restricting fishing Among the eight currently regulated variants are saury and bluefin tuna The aim is preventing the cycle of declining catches by urging fishermen not to hunt small fish that should not be caught The ultimate goal of the Fisheries Agency is raising the fishery production to 4.44 million tons by fiscal 2030 It is gearing up to cover several more variants a privately run group called the fishery forum aiming at resource recovery proposed five approaches to achieve a sustainable form of fishing for the Fisheries Agency last spring The group argued efforts should be bolstered to gather data on environmental changes in the seas It recommended the budgets and personnel for resource control and surveys should be improved as well Another suggestion is promoting the active commitment of fishermen to processes to set resource control targets Regulating the hunting of small fish is alike proposed while the group stated that subsidies have to be offered for fishermen to lease boats with ease and ensure a stable revenue source the fishery forum compiled a report as well “As oceanic environmental changes are transpiring nationwide and worldwide a new style of resource research and management needs to be stepped up while harboring a sense of crisis,” the document recommends The report insists that the government should commission private bodies to conduct conventional fishery-relevant analyses so that state-affiliated organizations can concentrate on much more advanced surveys themed on global warming academics and other parties must share in a sense of alarm in a bid to take flexible approaches with an eye on the coming 10 years and not rely on precedents,” Miyahara said (This article was written by Takuya Miyano Chinese still fish near Japan after water release from Fukushima Russia start possibly testy talks on salmon August 11 this year is the first-ever Mountain Day, Japan’s newest national holiday mountainous terrain—over 70% of the national land is mountains and hills unsuitable for agriculture or city-building a symbol of Japan to people around the globe Summer is climbing season, and with the new day off coming just before the traditional Obon holidays many in Japan are certain to be heading for the hills to enjoy their beauty and escape the heat of lower elevations Below we celebrate Mountain Day with a look at five Japanese peaks Mt Standing 1,660 meters high, this is the tallest peak in Shiretoko National Park. The area is also a World Natural Heritage site inscribed by UNESCO in 2005 for its rich wildlife and the breathtaking beauty of mountains and waterfalls on a peninsula in the Sea of Okhotsk While it is classified by the Japanese Meteorological Agency as an active volcano it has not erupted violently in more than five centuries Mt this is one of the most commanding peaks in the northern Tōhoku region Mount Iwate was placed off limits to climbers and skiers until 2003 To this day portions of the mountain are restricted due to ongoing ground deformation and volcanic gas venting Scientists who had noted major eruptions in Chile and Indonesia following megaquakes measuring magnitude 9 or higher on the Richter scale have kept a close eye on Iwate as a volcano that could have been primed by the March 11 The east face of Tanigawa on the border of Niigata and Gunma Prefectures this 1,977-meter peak is the deadliest mountain in Japan More than 800 people have died on Tanigawa since the 1930s when the first routes were charted to the summit in the modern era Part of the crest of mountains forming the “backbone” of the west coast of Honshū Mount Tanigawa catches massive amounts of snow from storms that blow across the Sea of Japan The cornices and avalanches in winter are a threat to underprepared mountaineers An aerial view of the mountain in early summer At 3,776 meters, Fuji is Japan’s highest and most celebrated peak. It is a World Cultural Heritage site since 2013 registered for its significance in the cultural and artistic history of Japan Mount Fuji ranks twenty-eighth in the world for its topographic isolation a measure of how far one must travel from its peak to hit land at the same altitude; it is 2,077 kilometers from the 3,886-meter mountain Xueshan in Taiwan Lava flows and rockslides are evident on one of Japan’s busiest volcanoes One of the more active peaks on the highly volcanic island of Kyūshū this 1,483-meter mountain is one of the newest in Japan called Heisei Shinzan (literally “new mountain of the Heisei era”) which had been the highest point until then In 1792 this mountain killed some 15,000 people—the most ever lost in a volcanic event in Japan—when an eruption caused a massive portion of the peak to collapse into Ariake Bay causing a tsunami reaching 100 meters in height an eruption near the summit triggered a pyroclastic flow that rocketed down the slope to kill 43 people including scientists and journalists on hand to study and report on the volcanic activity Hokkaido — Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido has welcomed spring and visitors could be seen enjoying skiing and mountain climbing on the mountains after entering from the Shiretoko Crossing Road which was reopened on April 28 after being closed for the winter According to the Shiretoko National Park Nature Center snow melted quickly due to continuous warm weather since March All the snow on the boardwalk leading to the Shiretoko Goko lakes has also melted when usually there is at least 1 meter high Rock surfaces and Japanese spruce were beginning to be visible even on the ridges of Mt who was on a three-night trek across the Shiretoko Mountain Range said “It was nice to see lovely scenery in mild weather.” Fisherman Kazuaki Ida entered the No Borders Cafe in Rausu just as we were finishing cups of hot coffee on a rainy Hokkaido afternoon He held giant flat-leaved stalks that scraped against each other like hard plastic garnering appreciative "ahs" of recognition among the cafe's customers As a first-time Hokkaido visitor and relative newcomer to authentic Japanese cuisine What were these things and why was everyone so excited Turns out we were seeing the result of a lengthy process that converts this seaweed called konbu into a much-sought-after delicacy used to flavor soup stocks and enhance Japanese cuisine and not only were we in the epicenter of konbu production but we also were meeting one of the masters of harvesting the seaweed.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Hokkaido produces some 90 percent of all konbu and high-end restaurants the world over covet its quality The cold waters and nutrients that flow through the Sea of Okhotsk are responsible for the konbu's superior flavor Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division The Shiretoko Peninsula is in the northeastern part of Hokkaido the shores of Shiretoko witness the arrival of drift ice We spoke with Imura Daisuke from the Utoro Nature Conservation Office under the Ministry of the Environment to learn more about the snowscapes and dynamic drift ice of Shiretoko Peninsula The Shiretoko Peninsula is a slender landmass approximately 70km in length and 25km in width at its base It faces the Sea of Okhotsk to the west and the Nemuro Strait to the east The coastal region marks the southernmost point in the Northern Hemisphere where drift ice makes landfall Recognized for its rich ecosystem connecting from the ice-influenced sea to the land the majority of the peninsula and its surrounding waters totaling 71,000 hectares (48,700 hectares on land and 22,300 hectares at sea) earned UNESCO World Natural Heritage status in 2005 under the name "Shiretoko." The coastline on the western side of the peninsula features continuous cliffs towering over 100 meters This formation is the result of intense erosion by drift ice on lava that once flowed from the volcanic activity of the peninsula There are also numerous instances of underground water flowing through the lava forming waterfalls that cascade from the cliffs where drift ice does not make forceful landfall Winter on the Shiretoko Peninsula is blanketed in snow allowing participants to walk on the drift ice floating on the sea surface wintering animals like the Steller's sea eagle reveal their presence within the snowy scenery one can experience the snowy landscapes from the surface of the Shiretoko Five Lakes the opportunity to enjoy the dynamic snowy landscapes with drift ice is relatively brief "The cross-country road connecting the eastern and western parts of the Shiretoko Peninsula (National Route 334) closes around November 8 due to freezing at the mountain pass This marks the start of winter in Shiretoko Drift ice often doesn't arrive until the latter half of January with February being the more reliable time to see it it is often pushed back towards the open sea by the wind positioned near the midpoint of the western coastline (commonly known as the "Utoro side") represents the furthest accessible point through public transportation The walking trail located behind the Center is perfect for those seeking to enjoy the snowy landscapes overlooking drift ice "We recommend exploring some of Shiretoko's renowned attractions like the Furepe Falls and Yunohana Falls can be best experienced by walking through the primeval forest," explains Imura "The frozen Furepe Falls* along the cliffs at the endpoint are particularly breathtaking the view of the coastal scenery of Rausu Town on the opposite side of the peninsula to the east is amazing from the Rausu Kunashiri Observation Tower." The forests and towns are blanketed in snow entirely white winter landscape is an incredible spectacle unique to the Shiretoko Peninsula during a brief period in winter there has been an increasing number of tourists from overseas visiting to appreciate the beautiful snowy landscapes and drift ice "For visitors from countries or regions accustomed to snow we recommend participating in eco-tours around the Shiretoko Five Lakes during winter," says Imura "Wearing snowshoes** allows you to stroll across the frozen lake surface offering a unique opportunity to enjoy a different snowy landscape from the usual Shiretoko experience." There are also tours offering drift ice walking in the waters off Utoro which are popular among tourists from Southeast Asia and other regions less accustomed to snow." "Tour participants wear dry suits when walking on the ice and sometimes break through it to immerse themselves waist-deep in the sea providing perfect photo opportunities and a lot of fun," comments Imura The sight of snow gently accumulating on the drift ice is an indescribable scene." so the period to enjoy it has become shorter The majestic sight is something everyone should witness at least once No article or any part there of may be reproduced without the express permission of the Cabinet Office. Copyright inquiries should be made through this form Public transport is almost non-existant to this small community situated halfway up Shiretoko Peninsula which juts out from the edge of Japan's northernmost island Rausu produces some of the nation's best konbu (kelp) an essential ingredient in Japanese cuisine we snake our way along the winding roads of Hokkaido's Shiretoko National Park we meet Katsuhiko Amano at the Rausu Konbu Association office and follow his zippy white van as he drives up the coast to where local fishermen are gathering wild konbu seaweed.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); I scramble down a bank to a rocky beach where several families are processing their harvest I am immediately drawn to the wide smile stretching across the face of Kazuyo Shimakura gathers wild Rausu konbu from a boat offshore Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. 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