JP005Esashi, Menashidomari

Site Description

Coastline; Grassland

Esashi Town is long (from north to south is 54 km) and narrow (from east to west is 7.5 km), and faces the Sea of Okhotsk. A rocky 600 m island, which is connected by a dike to the town, is a breeding site for the Black-tailed Gull in Menashidomari area. Menashidomari is on the skirt of Kamuimisaki which is on the tip of north of the town. Gometo islet which is 2 km off shore is one of few Okhotsk breeding sites of Slaty-backed Gull and Japanese Cormorant, besides the rocky island.

The town is 50,947 ha, 68% of which is mountain forests and 24% wilderness areas. Drifting sea ice brought by East Sakhalin current used to cover vast areas for many days in the past but less so now. The town’s annual mean temperature is the lowest in Japan along with the neighboring town.

Area & Coordinates

5ha 45°02′N 142°31′E
region: Hokkaido

Category

A4i

Protection Status

Unprotected

Conservation issues

• Infrastructure
• Consequences of animal/plants/ introductions