Map of the four islands

The islands of Shibotsu and Taraku used to have many pastures where cows and horses were kept year-round.

On Taraku Island, at the northeastern end of the Habomai Islands, most islanders made a living by collecting seaweed.

Yuri Island is entirely covered with bamboo grass, and there are few trees.

Zeiko Bay has a depth of 6 to 7 m and can accommodate several 30-ton-class vessels.

Akiyuri Island, a small island with a circumference of 12 km, was called a “paradise of seaweed” in the Habomai Islands.

Shibotsu is the largest of the Habomai Islands, and some pre-war buildings still remain.

Everyday tools and facilities that recall the lives of Japanese people remain everywhere on the island.

Shibotsu Island has Japanese cemeteries at Kafenotsu and Nishiuratomari, and in other areas.

Taraku Island has Japanese cemeteries at Furubetsu and Hirariusu, and in other areas.

Yuri Island has a Japanese cemetery near Tokoma-saki.

Kaigara Island, located 3.7 km off Cape Nosappu, has a lighthouse that was built by Japan in 1937.

Cliffs line the northwestern coast of Shikotan Island.

The 413-m-high Mt. Shakotan is the highest mountain on Shikotan Island.

The cost here typifies the beautiful scenery of Shikotan Island and is known for a bathing beach frequented by Russians who now live on the island.

Anama is home to the government that exercises jurisdiction over Shikotan Island as a whole, as well as to schools, hospitals, fishery processing plants, and power generation facilities established with humanitarian support from Japan.

The town of Shakotan has kindergartens, schools, churches, fishery processing plants and apartments.

Shikotan Island has Japanese cemeteries at Shakotan and Inemoshiri, and in other areas.

A new pier entered service here in 2012, and the Etopirika, a ship used for the exchange program of the four islands, can dock at that pier.

The Culture Hall is a center for exchanges with residents, and other activities are conducted with Anama Elementary and Junior High School in the exchange program for the four islands.

Shakotan has a border guard facility, and Shakotan Bay is a military port for guards.

A wooden Russian Orthodox Church stands on a hill overlooking Shakotan Bay.

This was the first sports facility to be built for residents of Shikotan Island.

Zaimokuiwa is associated with a legend in which a large stone bridge connected the Shiretoko Peninsula and Kunashiri Island. The surrounding coast is a rugged, rocky stretch.

Rosokuiwa is called “the devil's finger” locally for its towering appearance. Cows graze in the surrounding area.

This active volcano (1,772 m in elevation) is a beautiful mountain that symbolizes Kunashiri Island. Yezo spruce, Sakhalin fir and other conifers grow in clusters at the foot of the mountain.

The towns of Shakotan and Furukamappu are lined with colorful shops that sell food and daily necessities.

Kunashiri Island has Japanese cemeteries at Furukamappu and Chikappunai, and in other areas.

Furukamappu Port was so shallow that large ships could not dock, but in 2012, a new quay was built, allowing large ships to enter the port.

The House of Friendship between Japanese and Russians (accommodations and an emergency shelter) was established in 1999 with emergency humanitarian relief from Japan.

The Culture Hall, which was built in 2013, is a complex with a large hall and a gym.

Afalina, which was built to promote the health of the islanders, is a modern facility with a gym and a swimming pool.

This Russian Orthodox Church was completed in 2012.

This new airport terminal was completed in 2011.

Mt. Chirippu (elev. 1,582 m) is a beautiful active volcano with a wide base.

Grasslands extend around Oyo Bay in the southwestern part of Mt. Chirippu.

The Bira Coast, with its steep granite cliffs, is a famous scenic spot.

Etorofu Island is home to high mountains, such as Mt. Nishi-hitokappu (elev. 1,629 m) and Mt. Hitokappu (elev. 1,215 m).

Shana is home to schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants and shops, as well as the government of the Kurile district, which exercises control over Etorofu Island and other islands north of it. In 2011, the main roads in the town were paved.

There are flower beds in parks in the residential area.

Etorofu Island has Japanese cemeteries at Shana and Bettobu, and in other areas. At Shana Cemetery, gravestones had toppled, but they have recently been restored.

Nayoka Bay was once famous as a whaling base.

Etorofu Island has been well known for salmon and trout fishing since before the war, and it has a large hatchery.

This is a fishery processing plant of Gidrostroy on the island.

Like Kunashiri Island, Etorofu is a volcanic island with many hot spring facilities.