Island again!
I went to Okushiri Island off western coast of Hokkaido.
The scenery reminded me of Rausu, Shiretoko. The road was often narrow, just wide enough for one car to go through. A little hillier than the other islands I've been this summer. But still has the great ocean view, funny shaped rocks on the coast which always have distinctive names. It will be more fun to sea kayak around than to cycle around, I thought.
この夏5つ目の離島、奥尻島に行ってきました。島ブームです。この夏のフェリー乗船回数はなんと、8回。ちなみに奥尻は島民風に発音すると、おぐしりになります。
This is "uni-nabe" sea urchin hot pot! When you go to Hokkaido islands you've got to have the uni! Not smelly at all, so nice!
北の島お決まりの、ウニ。しかもこんなに贅沢にウニを使ったウニ鍋は、道民もなかなか食べれません！おいしかった～
Okushiri suffered so much when the big earthquake happened in 1993. Nearly 200 people lost their lives from tsunami and fire caused from fishing boats. The highest tsunami was 29m! So scary.
津波館にも行ってきました。ここで、93年に起きた北海道南西沖地震について勉強です。津波や火災で200名近くの方が亡くなったそうです。津波は最高29mもあったらしい。
Japanese fold origami "tsuru"=crane, that implies long life. We make a thousand of tsuru that becomes "senba-zuru" praying for quick recovery from sickness or injuries. This senba-zuru was at the Memorial Hall I visited. They show half an hour of 3D film explaining how the earthquake occurred and why so many people died from it. It's very sad but to be remembered.
まず入館すぐに3Dの映像を見せてくれます。奥尻島の概要、地震、津波の怖さについて、3Dでリアルに鑑賞。3D用メガネでちょっとおもしろいことになってます。
After the earthquake Okushiri built this evacuation route for people working at the port. This way they can quickly evacuate to higher & safer places.
これは地震後に港に作られた、人工地盤と高架道路。港で働く人たちのための、緊急避難経路です。
This is one of the most famous rock "nabe-tsuru iwa". This rock even lost its bits when tsunami hit it so hard.
そして奥尻島のシンボル、鍋釣岩。
It's a small island with the circumference of approx 70km. It will take a day or two to see the places. It's a little quieter than the other islands I've been to! Good onsen and sea food, of course. Hokkaido is good itself but I also like these little five islands I've been to this summer. Any of them is highly recommended! Hope to introduce you to more islands next year :-)
周囲およそ70kmの小さい島です。海岸の風景が知床の羅臼あたりに似ている様なかんじがしました。これで島シリーズはいったん終了!
今度日本に帰ってくるときは、どの島に行こうかな～
