A Birdwatcher’s Paradise: Teuri Island

Teuri Island, a small island off the coast of northwestern Hokkaido, is a prominent breeding area for local waterfowl. Rare breeds, such as the spectacled guillemot, the auk, the murre, and the rhinoceros auklet make their nests upon the tiny island’s grounds. From spring to early summer, birdwatchers can delight in seeing the various seabird colonies thrive from the island’s observatory. Nextdoor to Teuri lies Yagashiri Island, another small landmass covered in a verdant primeval forest and boisterous sheep. Suffolk sheep graze on the lush pastures that span the island while over 100 species of wild birds make the island their home. Visitors can kick back and watch the adorable sheep or explore Nightingale Valley’s mystical gorge.