Kunashir, Kunashir is an island in the ocean,
where is the gigantic bear blow,
where are the volcanoes and hills in the whitish fog.
Kunashir is our joy and pain forever.
(E. K. Markhinin “Farewell to Kunashir” )
Russia and Japan learned about the Kuril Islands at the same time. Since the 18th century, the Russian side began sending expeditions to the islands, and by the end of the century they managed to establish relations with the local population and bring more than 1,500 people into Russian citizenship. The Japanese did not like this state of affairs and relations with Russia worsened.
At the end of the 19th century, Russia transferred all the Kuril Islands to Japan in exchange for renouncing claims to Sakhalin Island.
In 1945, a reverse agreement was adopted on the transfer of the Kuril Islands to the Soviet Union, and today Japan is again demanding that the four islands be transferred to its possession.
Admire one of the most picturesque and warm islands of the Kuril ridge – Kunashir Island!
How to get to Kunashir
The entire territory of the island is considered a border zone. In this regard, those wishing to get to the island must obtain a pass from the Sakhalin Border Department (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk),
and also an additional pass at the administration of the reserve in Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
What to see in Kunashir
Photo: nat-geo.ru
Kurilsky Nature Reserve with Tyatya Volcano and Cape Stolbchaty
This natural monument, covering an area of 65 hectares, 70% of which is occupied by forests, was opened in 1984. The reserve is unique in the number of historical and cultural objects and Red Book inhabitants included in it. In total, 227 species of birds and 29 species of mammals live on the territory of Kurilsky.
Kunashir is home to a unique species of so-called brown “polar” bears, which can be found only on three other islands of the Kuril archipelago – Iturup, Shumshu and Paramushir.
Photo: kurilskiy.ru
Here is also one of the most beautiful active volcanoes in the Kuril Islands – “Tyatya”, 1819 meters high, the last eruption of which was recorded in 1981.
Photo: kuriles.ru
Another attraction of the reserve is Cape “Stolbchaty” – very popular among tourists due to the picturesque steep cliffs up to 50 meters high. The cape arose as a result of petrification of basaltic lava, and under the influence of temperature changes it was divided into beautiful multifaceted columns.
During the destruction process, clusters of rock fragments of unusual shape are formed at the foot of the cape.
After admiring the views of the reserve, go see the Devil’s Finger rock, the height of a five-story building, which, unfortunately, few tourists know about. Such single rocks of natural origin are also called “kekurs”.
Of the natural attractions of Kunashir, it is also worth mentioning the rookeries of fur seals and seals. As a rule, they are located in places difficult to reach for predators, for example in rocks.
From the category of amusing curiosities, Kunashir may surprise you with the fact that after the Second World War, a warehouse of Japanese left boots was discovered there. Such unusual logistics were not accidental. It turned out that the right boots were stored separately from the left ones due to theft by the personnel guarding the warehouse.
As you can see, there really is something to see in Kunashir.
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Author: Elena Yatsenko
