At the edge of the world: 5 reasons to visit the Kuril Islands at least once in your life

President of Pro-Vision, author of the Vinogradov.story community

“When looking at a map of the Russian Far East, sooner or later one pays attention to the elongated archipelago that limits the exit from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Pacific Ocean – the Kuril Islands. It seems that this line is built here artificially. But the first impression is deceptive: Iturup, Shikotan and Kunashir are purely natural creations, and it is nature that determines the incredible attractiveness of these islands for travelers. I will tell you about the most striking natural sights of the Kurils below”.

Yankito lava plateau and Kasatka Bay, Iturup

The Kurils came into being as a result of active volcanic activity, and there are a lot of volcanoes here. When one of them erupted, streams of red-hot lava flowed directly into the sea, forming a lifeless dark brown lava field at the boundary between water and land. The local scenery reminds something from fantasy movies, but the events here, as well as in many locations on Iturup, developed quite real.

The most famous ones took place in Kasatka Bay. In November 1941, a Japanese squadron came from here to the Pacific Ocean, which later bombed Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor. What it led to, everyone knows very well. And in 1960 the history of the legendary “Iturupa Four” began here. The enlisted sailors, who were on watch on a small barge, were carried out into the ocean, where they heroically fought against the elements, hunger and despair for 49 days. But they won – they were picked up by an American ship, and, fortunately, they were saved.

White rocks of the Bay of Prostor, Iturup

The “authorship” of the picturesque white rocks is attributed to underwater volcanoes, and the color, unusual folded shape and fragility – an alloy of porous volcanic glass and pumice. The white rocks crumble easily in the palm of your hand, which you would not expect from such monumental giants.

Perhaps they got their poetic name from the contrast with the black titanium-magnetite sand. Due to its high iron content, it is perfectly attracted by magnets. Thanks to its vanadium and titanium content, Iturupa sand has long been used to make samurai swords, which are characterized by enviable strength and lightness.

To appreciate the White Cliffs in all their glory, come in the morning in clear sunny weather. At dusk they turn darker, but at dawn and dusk they turn pink and red, which looks very cinematic.

Geothermal springs, Iturup

Kuril Islands are such an unfulfilled Far Eastern Baden-Baden. On Iturup alone, thermae, mineral springs and landscape baths promise to cure all diseases and illnesses of modern man at once. Are your nerves frayed? Come to the “Baths”. Joints bothering you? Take a dip in the “Hot Waters”! And the vapor-hydrotherms of Baransky volcano on the river Kipyashchaya, as if justifying its name, will warm up and relax the tired body in the full power of 42 natural degrees.

Siliceous and thermal, sulfide and carbon dioxide, ferrous, arsenic and polymetal – nature has endowed Iturup with various water and salt riches. If the island were a little closer to the “big land”, I am sure that no one would even think of Baden-Baden. But there is an undoubted charm in flying to the end of the world for a “bath”.

Fumarole fields and green coast of Kunashir

Kunashir is the southernmost inhabited island of the Kurils, located much closer to Japan than to Russia. Despite its relatively modest size, the island can surprise even the most sophisticated travelers. Its relief is formed by three giant volcanoes, around one of which, the Mendeleev volcano, fumarole fields are scattered, leaking volcanic gases and steam.

After a cautious walk near the fumaroles, it is worth visiting Stolbchatiy Cape, where basalt columns burst into the sky and multifaceted lava prisms are scattered under your feet. And to finish the trip on the green coast of Kunashir with obligatory “protocol” photo at the Devil’s Finger kekur.

Cape Kray Sveta and Bezymyannaya Bay, Shikotan

Cape Edge of the World on Shikotan was named not because of its unconditional romanticism: it is indeed about 5400 km away from the nearest eastern landmass. Footage shot on the cape can be seen in the Soviet movie about Robinson Crusoe, as well as scenes in Bezymyannaya Bay. According to a beautiful legend, it got its name because the discoverers could not find words to describe its splendor. By the way, of all the islands of the Kuril archipelago, Shikotan is the most suitable for “wild” vacation with a tent: there are no bears and almost no snakes.