Teuri Island, Hokkaido: Japan's Best-Kept Birding Secret (Complete 5-Day Guide)
Teuri
Island
Japan's Best-Kept Birding Secret — A Complete 5-Day Guide
I'd been researching off-the-beaten-path destinations in Japan for months when I stumbled across a small island off the coast of Hokkaido that almost nobody outside Japan knows about. An island where over one million seabirds nest every summer. Where the sky turns black at dusk with hundreds of thousands of Rhinoceros Auklets flying home. Where you can stand on a 90-metre cliff and watch Spectacled Guillemots launch themselves into the Sea of Japan below.
That island is Teuri Island — 天売島 — and it completely exceeded every expectation I had.
This is my full trip report and itinerary from June 26–30, 2025. Everything here is based on real bookings, real prices and real experiences. No fluff.
Before Boarding Orolon 2 · Haboro Port, June 2025
Hundreds of thousands of Rhinoceros Auklets returning to their cliff burrows at dusk · Teuri Island · Photo by @genobear
What is Teuri Island?
Teuri Island is a tiny island located 27 kilometres off the coast of Haboro in northwestern Hokkaido, accessible only by ferry. It's roughly 12 kilometres in circumference, home to around 250 residents, and from March to July it transforms into one of the most extraordinary wildlife spectacles in all of Japan.
The numbers are staggering. The island hosts approximately 400,000 breeding pairs of Rhinoceros Auklets — the world's largest colony — along with the world's largest breeding colony of Spectacled Guillemots, tens of thousands of Black-tailed Gulls, Japanese Cormorants, Common Murres, and during migration season, rare sightings like the Siberian Rubythroat.
And yet, very few international travellers have heard of it. That's exactly why you should go.
Rhinoceros Auklet carrying fish for its chicks — one of the most remarkable sights on Teuri Island · Photo by @genobear
Spectacled Guillemot resting on coastal rocks · Teuri Island · Photo by @genobear
Getting There: Tokyo → Sapporo → Haboro → Teuri
Getting to Teuri Island is part of the adventure. It requires a flight, a train, a long bus ride and a ferry — but every leg of the journey is worth it.
Morning light on Teuri Island · June 2025 · Photo by @genobear
Fly Tokyo to Sapporo
Fly into New Chitose Airport (CTS) from Tokyo Haneda or Narita. JAL and ANA operate frequent daily flights, with budget options on Peach Aviation and Jetstar Japan starting from around ¥7,500 one way. The flight takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Train to Sapporo Station
From New Chitose Airport, take the JR Rapid Airport train directly to Sapporo Station. The reserved seat (Car 4, with extra luggage space) costs ¥2,230 and takes about 36 minutes. Trains run every 15 minutes so you won't be waiting long.
Stay the Night in Sapporo
You'll arrive too late to catch a connection north, so plan to stay one night in Sapporo. I stayed at Hotel Forza Sapporo Station — well-located, clean and perfectly placed for an early morning departure. Other solid options include JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo (luxury), Mitsui Garden Hotel Sapporo (mid-range) and Dormy Inn Sapporo Annex (budget, with onsen baths).
Bus from Sapporo to Haboro
This is the long leg. The express bus from Sapporo to Haboro Terminal takes about 3 hours 10 minutes and costs ¥4,700. It departs at 9:30 AM, arriving at 12:44 PM — perfectly timed for the afternoon ferry. Book this one month in advance — seats fill up fast in the summer season.
Ferry to Teuri Island
The Ferry Orolon 2 departs Haboro at 2:00 PM and arrives at Teuri Island at 3:35 PM. 1st class costs ¥4,050, 2nd class ¥2,330. Call ahead to reserve — the ferry doesn't have online booking. On the return leg, a high-speed boat (¥4,170) departs at 9:40 AM and makes the crossing in about an hour.
Ferry timetable →
The quiet roads of Teuri Island shrouded in sea mist · Photo by @genobear
Where to Stay on Teuri Island
Accommodation on the island is limited, so book as early as possible.
Teurimafure Lodge
This is the standout option on the island and where I stayed. A beautiful eco-lodge featuring triangular-roofed single rooms in the main building, breakfast and dinner included, and original illustrations by artist Hiroshi Abe throughout. The atmosphere is unlike any place I've stayed in Japan — quietly artistic, deeply connected to the natural environment. At ¥44,550 for the stay it's not cheap, but it's worth every yen.
Book Teurimafure Lodge →Other Options
- Shima no Yado Daiichi Inn 01648-3-5111 — home like atmosphere inn, largest accommodation by capacity on the island
- Yorozuya Inn 01648-3-5224 — near the seashore, close to island's central area, near shopping district
- Minshuku Guest-house Sakaemaru 090-8425-9859 — enjoy seafood BBQ in summer, served delicious seafood as room service
- Guest-house Teure 090-1097-0500 — renovated old house, sole accommodation on Teuri Island with a dormitory
- Minshuku Guest-house Takeuchi 01648-3-5437 — simple facilities, reasonable price, typically include fresh local seasonal seafood
- Ryokan Guest-house Yamada 01648-3-5151 — near the sea, delicious food
The 5-Day Itinerary
- Evening flight from Tokyo, arrive New Chitose Airport 10:15 PM
- Train to Sapporo Station (¥2,230 reserved)
- Check in to Hotel Forza Sapporo Station
- 9:30 AM express bus from Sapporo to Haboro (¥4,700)
- 2:00 PM Ferry Orolon 2 to Teuri Island (¥4,050 1st class)
- Check in to Teurimafure Lodge
- 6:30 PM — Sunset Cruise (¥12,000)
Black-tailed Gull — the relentless thief of the skies · Teuri Island · Photo by @genobear
- 8:15 AM — Seabird Breeding Ground Tour (¥3,500)
- Afternoon — Bike around the island (¥2,000 whole day rental)
Spectacled Guillemot perched on coastal rocks · Note the distinctive red legs · Photo by @genobear
Spectacled Guillemot launching from the clifftop into the Sea of Japan · Photo by @genobear
- 7:30 AM — Island Highlight Tour (¥3,000)
- 1:30 PM — Afternoon Round Island Tour (¥3,000)
- 6:50 PM — Night Auklet Homing Tour (¥2,500)
Black-tailed Gull colony blanketing the island hillside · Teuri Island · Photo by @genobear
Siberian Rubythroat — a rare and special sighting on Teuri Island · Photo by @genobear
- 6:00 AM — Sunrise Cruise (¥12,000) — cancelled due to bad weather
- 9:40 AM high-speed boat back to Haboro (¥4,170)
- 1:02 PM bus back to Sapporo (¥4,700)
- 6:12 PM train to New Chitose Airport (¥2,230)
- 9:15 PM flight back to Tokyo
Estimated Trip Cost Breakdown
Excluding flights, accommodation and food
| Category | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 🚆 Train | Airport ↔ Sapporo × 2 (reserved) | ¥4,460 |
| 🚌 Bus | Sapporo ↔ Haboro × 2 | ¥9,400 |
| ⛴️ Ferry & Boat | Ferry 1st class + High-Speed Boat | ¥8,220 |
| 🌅 Tours | Sunset Cruise (Fri) | ¥12,000 |
| 🐦 Tours | Seabird Breeding Tour (Sat) | ¥3,500 |
| 🚲 Activities | Bike Rental — whole day (Sat) | ¥2,000 |
| 🚗 Tours | Island Highlight Tour (Sun AM) | ¥3,000 |
| 🌙 Tours | Night Auklet Homing Tour (Sun PM) | ¥2,500 |
| 🌄 Tours | Sunrise Cruise (Mon) | ¥12,000 |
| Grand Total | ¥57,080 |
Wildlife You'll See
Rhinoceros Auklet
The star of the island. ~400,000 breeding pairs. Named for the horn-like projection on their bill. Watch them carry multiple fish in their beaks to feed chicks in burrow nests.
Spectacled Guillemot
Found only around the Sea of Okhotsk. Teuri holds the world's largest colony. Look for bright red legs and distinctive white eye patches from the Akaiwa cliff platform.
Black-tailed Gull
Thousands nest on the island's open hillsides. Noisy, bold and constantly patrolling for auklets carrying fish.
Siberian Rubythroat
A rare migration visitor. If you're lucky you might spot one in the island's interior scrub — a treat for any serious birder.
Island life up close — Teuri has more to offer than just seabirds · Photo by @genobear
Travel Tips
- Bring a long lens — 400–600mm for seabirds in flight and on cliff faces
- Book everything one month ahead — ferry, bus, tours and accommodation all fill up
- Sea sickness meds — the crossing can be rough, especially on windy days
- Layers — sea breeze is cool even in June, bring a windproof jacket
- Night tour essentials — headlamp, warm layer, good walking shoes
- Eat sea urchin (uni) — June is peak season on Hokkaido's coast. Don't miss it
- Call ahead — ferry reservation, bike rental and some tours require a phone call in Japanese
Watch the Full Series
Before you book, watch the trip on YouTube:
Black-tailed Gull nesting on the open hillside · Teuri Island · Photo by @genobear
Get the Full Guide
Want everything in one place — itinerary, booking links, cost breakdown and original photography?
Download on Gumroad →13 slides · Real 2026 prices · Actual booking links · Original wildlife photography
All prices and schedules based on 2026. Ferry and bus timetables are subject to seasonal change — always confirm before booking.
Photos © @genobear · Sony A6700 + Sigma 150–600mm
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