Benten-jima (Wakkanai)

Benten-jima (弁天島) is a small deserted island west by northwest of Cape Sōya, Wakkanai, Hokkaidō, Japan. It is the northernmost piece of land under Japanese control. The island is 1 km (0.54 nmi) north of Sannai settlement. Another island called Hira-shima (平島) lies southeast of Benten-jima.

Benten-jima

Native name: 弁天島
Benten-jima
Geography
Location	Sea of Japan (La Pérouse Strait)
Coordinates	45°31′35″N 141°55′09″E
Area	0.005 km2 (0.0019 sq mi)
Coastline	.5 km (0.31 mi)
Highest elevation	20 m (70 ft)
Highest point	unnamed point
Administration
Japan
Prefectures	Hokkaido
Subprefecture	Sōya
City	Wakkanai
Demographics
Population	0

Benten-jima is 0.5 hectares (1.2 acres) in area, its perimeter is roughly 500 metres (1,600 ft), and its highest point is 20 metres (66 ft) above sea level. It is named after Benzaiten, once enshrined on the island. The wildlife includes many seabirds, Steller sea lions, kombu kelp, and sea urchins; it has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports a large breeding colony of black-tailed gulls.^[1]

Photos

• 
  Aerial photo of Benten-jima from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan
• 
  Benten-jima (弁天島) and Hira-shima (平島) seen from Cape Sōya
• 
  Benten-jima, viewed from Cape Sōya

See also

• Islands portal

• Geography of Japan
• Japanese Archipelago
• Extreme points of Japan
• Desert island
• List of islands

References

1. "Bentenjima islet". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.

External links

• (in Japanese) 宗谷岬弁天島におけるトド調査始まる (The survey of Steller sea lions has begun on Bentenjima Island, Cape Sōya), from マリンネット北海道 (Marine Net Hokkaidō).

45°31′35″N 141°55′09″E