Kuril Islands

Introducing Kuril Islands

The stunningly beautiful, rugged 56-island chain of the Kuril Islands arc like stepping stones between the southern tip of Kamchatka and the Japanese island of Hokkaido. The islands, which form part of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', are actually the tips of a volcanic mountain range. Among the peaks protruding from the sea are 49 active volcanoes, many of which erupt frequently and violently. Of these, Mt Tyatya is considered to be the most picturesque. The islands are indeed stunningly beautiful, with circular azure-blue lagoons, steaming rivers and hot springs, boiling lakes such as Lake Kupashi, the moonlike landscape of Mendelyev volcano, and some spectacular cliff formations, notably the Stolbchaty Cape.

Plan way ahead on a trip as fog delays, permits and lack of infrastructure make a solo trip all but impossible. A one-week visit (not including delays) should cost from US$800 to US$1500. A permit takes at least three days to arrange in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and costs about US$50. Contact Intourist in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk for information.

As a geographic link between Russia and Japan, the Kurils have only been a wedge politically. A treaty of 1855 divided possession of the chain between Russia and Japan; the latter received the islands of Habomai, Shikotan, Kunashir and Etorofu. A second treaty, in 1875, gave Tokyo sovereignty over the whole lot in exchange for recognising the Russians' right to Sakhalin. But then, in the last days of WWII, the Soviets reneged on the deal and invaded the Kurils. For three years the new Russian settlers and the existing Japanese residents lived side-by-side, but in 1948 Stalin ordered all the Japanese to leave. The Kurils have been a diplomatic minefield between the two nations ever since and, technically, Japan and Russia have never concluded a peace treaty after WWII because of them.

The main centre is Yuzhno-Kurilsk on Kunashir, the southernmost and most accessible of the islands; here you'll find the Storitel Hotel (8255-21689) where tour groups get put up. Other centres are Severo-Kurilsk on Paramushir Island and Kurilsk on Iturup Island.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009