Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands

Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands: overview

Sakhalin is Russia's largest island, separated by the Tatar Strait from the country’s eastern coast, located right next to the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan. A treasure trove of natural resources that for decades became a spot of a power struggle between Japan and Russia, a place that has sheltered thousands of political exiles and convicts, an island with unique flora and fauna - all this is beautiful and ever elusive Sakhalin. Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands are the only island regions in the country, and lately they have been increasingly visible at the top of ratings of the most desirable, most unique, most beautiful places to live and visit in Russia. It is impossible not to fall in love with Sakhalin: cozy bays and coasts, countless waterfalls, bizarre rocks, transparent blue water bodies, golden sunsets and alien landscapes. And the main thing - the atmosphere of solitude amidst nature, because in these places there are few tourists, hustle and bustle, and urban noise. Sakhalin is an island, so it is incredibly easy to visit its coastal parts. Whether you go north or south, the sea will be there for you, no more than 50 kilometers away. People go to Sakhalin for the sake of natural beauty. Local landscapes are reminiscent of classic desktop wallpaper images: lakes, mountains and bays so beautiful that it's hard to believe they're real. For fans of fishing it is a veritable paradise, with its abundance of all kinds of marine creatures you will definitely not be left without a worthy catch. If you are tired of traditional fishing, you can try your luck at the so called "crabbing" - catching crabs. Also Sakhalin is a paradise for real gourmets! You'll taste everything you've seen in restaurants: oysters, mussels, crabs, scallops, shrimps, salmon - in just a few minutes after they're fished out of the sea. And the unique fusion of Russian, Japanese and Korean cuisine will prove to be a real delight for foodies! Besides hiking, Sakhalin offers outdoor enthusiasts mountain skiing and snowboarding on the slopes of the world-class ski resort "Gorny Vozdukh". Convenient facilities, fascinating views, slopes of all complexities, and location of the complex within Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, are a package that is sure to provide a great experience for those who enjoy physical activities. Sakhalin is an unusual blend of cultures. The island has been a part of Japan for a long while, so the cities have elements of eastern architecture, monuments, and graves. Nowadays many Koreans live on Sakhalin – making it a great place to get acquainted with local Korean traditions without leaving Russia 500 km from Sakhalin Island are the Kuril Islands. The Kuril Islands are a chain of islands that run from the Kamchatka peninsula to the northernmost Japanese island of Hokkaido. A peculiar convex arc of fifty-six islands is arranged in two parallel lines, separating the Sea of Okhotsk from the Pacific Ocean. Each island is unique and interesting in its own way! Dizzying views, volcanoes, geysers, flora and fauna, will make for unforgettable memories. And the remoteness of these places will help you mentally recharge and spend some time by yourself.