Haboro: Seabird Islands, Coasts and Culture

A trip to Haboro brings together island nature, coastal scenery and local history. Haboro includes Teuri Island and Yagishiri Island; the ferry route runs from Haboro via Yagishiri to Teuri and back. The landscapes and sights offer different highlights: Teuri is known for its seabird nesting grounds and coastal cliffs, while Yagishiri is known for its natural forest and yew trees. Museums and a historic house offer further insights into Haboro’s past. When choosing a hotel, you can take these themes into account alongside your planned travel dates and activities.

Teuri Island: Seabirds and Coastal Cliffs

Teuri Island is one of Japan’s important seabird nesting grounds. Around one million seabirds come here during the breeding season. On the west coast, seabirds nest on cliffs formed by marine erosion. A seabird observation house stands above these cliffs. The rock 赤岩 is also a distinctive feature of the island: formed by marine erosion, this sheer cliff is 48 meters high and can be seen from a lookout point that projects out over the sea.

The Hokkaido Seabird Center introduces eight species found on Teuri Island: ウミウ, ヒメウ, オオセグロカモメ, ウミネコ, ウミガラス, ケイマフリ, ウトウ and ウミスズメ. The exhibits show their habitats and use lighting and sound effects. The island’s coastal scenery and the center’s thematic displays complement one another: the cliffs represent the birds’ nesting habitat, while the exhibition focuses on the birds and their habitats.

Yagishiri Island: Natural Forest and Yew Trees

Natural forest covers one-third of Yagishiri Island. At “Onko no Sho,” a group of yew trees also grows to about one meter tall, with branches spreading more than ten meters. These measurements show an unusual form: the trees remain relatively low while spreading their branches widely. In contrast to Teuri’s cliffs and nesting birds, Yagishiri’s natural landscape is shaped by its forest and yew trees. If you plan to visit both islands, you’ll encounter distinct landscape features within Haboro.

Museums and Historic Heritage

The Haboro Local Museum displays valuable fossils excavated in Haboro. It also presents numerous materials related to the heyday of Haboro’s herring fishing and coal mining. This brings natural history and the town’s economic history together: the fossils tell of finds from the region, while the materials illustrate two important historical industries.

Another historic landmark is the former Konō House. Built in 1900, it is designated by Hokkaido as a tangible cultural property. Together with the museum’s exhibits, it broadens the focus beyond the islands’ natural features to Haboro’s architectural and economic heritage.

Seasonal Travel Interests

Haboro’s winter offerings include the municipal “Byu” ski area. It has a spacious family slope overlooking the Sea of Japan. Operating hours are seasonal, so check the information for your planned travel dates. Another seasonal natural attraction is the salmon run: from around September, you can see salmon swimming upstream in Haboro’s rivers. The timing varies from year to year. The ski slope and salmon run thus offer different seasonal highlights to consider when planning your trip.

Include the Ferry Route in Your Plans

The ferry route runs Haboro–Yagishiri–Teuri–Yagishiri–Haboro. If visiting the islands is part of your plans, include this connection in your itinerary and check the current schedule for your travel dates. Schedules and vessel availability may change. This lets you coordinate the island route with the other highlights of your trip without losing sight of seasonal activities or visits to the town.

For the broader travel overview: Tomamae District.