Exploring Japan's Lost Heritage on Sakhalin - Russia's Largest Island

Welcome to a fascinating journey to Sakhalin, the largest island in Russia, once known as Karafuto ( 樺太庁) during its Japanese colonial era. Join me as I delve into the captivating tapestry of this island's unique heritage, intertwining Japanese and Russian influences that have shaped its history, culture, and landscapes.

My exploration begins with a thrilling excursion into the remnants of the island's rich industrial past. I'll take you along the abandoned railway lines that were once the lifelines of Sakhalin's economic growth, transporting coal, timber, and dreams of prosperity across vast terrains.

Step back in time as we wander through the echoes of Sakhalin's history. Ruins of ancient Japanese temples and sanctuaries stand testament to the island's rich cultural heritage. We'll delve into the tales of the past, learning how the blend of traditions has shaped Sakhalin's identity.

As we journey deeper, we'll unveil the abandoned industrial facilities that once thrived on this rugged land.

Sakhalin's allure goes beyond its historical and industrial aspects. We'll immerse ourselves in its breathtaking natural beauty – from deep bushes and incredible waterfalls to vast bays and rugged coastlines.

My expedition to explore Sakhalin's Japanese heritage promises to be an unforgettable experience, unraveling the captivating tales of two cultures intertwining on this vast canvas. I invite you to hit the subscribe button and turn on the notification bell, so you won't miss a single episode of new enthralling journeys.

Key moments:

00:00 - Introduction to the history of Sakhalin (Karafuto, 樺太庁)
02:02 - Taking a ferry to Sakhalin
04:30 - The Sakhalin's Tunnel - Stalin's failed GULAG
06:49 - On board of the ferry
08:30 - Arrival to Sakhalin
10:06 - The town of Nevelsk (本斗, Honto)
12:57 - Japanese bridges in Shebunino (南名好, Minaminayoshi)
15:28 - Exploring Poronaysk (敷香, Sikuka)
20:25 - Nogliki - Russia's easternmost railway junction
23:41 - Peculiarities of Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinskiy
26:17 - A village of Nivkhs in in the middle of nowhere
28:33 - War monuments near 50th Parallel North
29:32 - Ruins of a Japanese Shinto temple in Makarov (知取, Sirutomaru)
30:27 - Klokov Waterfall
33:01 - Japanese objects of Krasnogorsk
36:07 - The town of Uglegorsk (恵須取, Esutoru)
42:58 - The town of Tomari (泊居, Tomarioru)
47:20 - Japanese railway tunnels of Novosyolovo (追手, Ote)
48:24 - Arkansas river
48:54 - Deplorably of the town of Chekhov (野田, Noda)
50:33 - Journey to the abandoned Japanese railway
58:32 - Japanese school sanctuary in Chaplanovo (二股, Futamata)
59:44 - Crab market and torii in Vzmorye (白縫, Shiranui)
01:01:53 - East coast wartime defense line
01:05:43 - The town of Korsakov (大泊, Otomari)
01:08:47 - Gems of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (豊原, Toyohara)
01:10:37 - Tikhaya (Calm) Bay
01:12:08 - Journey to abanoned lighthouse Aniva (中知床岬灯台)

Filmed in July-August 2021, edited in 2023.

Enjoy!

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[IncredibleFlyinSquid]

Barely a few minutes in and this man giving you a ride is sharing his mother's garden and cooking with you, what a humble and generous individual!

[Lornext]

Eastern Russia is such an unexplored wilderness paradise. An area the size of Europe with just a few million people, so many abandoned places and unbelievable views that regular people dont even realise exists.

[toknowwhyuneed]

Love that trucker. Just nice to see people like that exist everywhere. Warms my heart.

[Kabarga]

I’m from Sakhalin and by the way it’s a very good and informative video! The main part of our Russian bloggers always makes an awful mistakes while they talking about my island! So I’m so glad that you made so informative English spelling content about Sakhalin!

[joshuapatrick]

when a man tells you to take a 5th cucumber.... you do it....

[shoedil]

2:26 That angry Russian hospitality is the best!
I recognize myself in that trucker.
"Take more! NO MORE!" My mom made this cake.... Take it or she will find you!!!
Love it!

[rabidmarmot]

This is amazing, my 100 year old grandmother (still alive in California) lived on Sakhalin Island when the southern half was Japanese. She lived with my grandfather while he was stationed near the border with the USSR during the early part of WWII. She is ethnically Japanese but was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada then later moved to Japan with her family during the Great Depression.

She and I studied maps of where she lived on Sakhalin and what life was like during the winters. I always wanted to visit and see it first hand. But as an American, I don’t see that likely in the near future, sadly.

[chilebike]

Right now, as I sit in my comfortable house in Berkshire, England, that waterfall is coming down, those trains are running and Yuri is going to work. Those places are there, the fields, the tall plants. Thank you Vagabond for your informative and illustrative presentation.

[benrose]

If anyone was wondering what the plaque on the Japanese monument at 34:48 said, I translated it.

This monument was erected with the cooperation of Chinnai volunteers and the citizens of Krasnogorsk, in order to pray for the repose of the souls of those who died in the area and to pray for lasting peace and friendship.

Summer 1992

Chinnai Elementary School Alumni



Original Transcription:



1992年夏

珍内小学校同窓生一同


Romaji:

Kono ishibumi wa, tōchi de nakunara reta katagata no, go meifuku o oinori shi kōkyū no heiwa to yūkō o kigan shi, chin-nai-kai yūshi to, kurasunogorusuku shimin no kyōryoku ni yori konryū sa remashita.

1992-Nen natsu

Chin-nai shōgakkō dōsōsei ichidō

[tetu]

As a Japanese, the more I learn about Sakhalin, the more I want to go there, but I will never ever be able to travel like you do. (I cannot speak Russian, as a bonus!) So I’m really grateful that you shared your incredible journey with us.
Most of the relics will be reclaimed by Mother Nature in coming years, so I’m so glad you could capture their state at the time.
The overall flora looks a lot like Hokkaido, Japan. They are close, after all. I’ve seen a blurred outline of Sakhalin from Cape Souya.
Take care, and please be careful on your next journey. Respect from Japan

[Ourmanintokyo]

As someone who teaches the language, I think the improvement in your English ability in just a couple of years is impressive! Well done.

[GizmoSheep]

I'm Japanese and I've always wanted to go to Sakhalin but sadly the ferry from Wakkanai to Korsakov is not currently operating and not likely to start again for a while. Thanks for the video for some insight into Sakhalin!

[HouseOfSick]

I am so impressed with your English improvement from 2021. Really appreciate you non-biased, non-political real life videos.

[AliceCheena]

Я живу в Японии. В России я был три раза, но на Сахалине - ни разу. Я слышал, что Сахалин как-то связан с Японией, но не думал, что у него такое богатое наследие!
Это место, которое я хотел бы посетить в один прекрасный день. Спасибо за прекрасный видеофильм!
Прошу прощения за плохой русский язык.

[Daddyduck]

My friend, through your journeys and these videos, you take us to places, we would never be able to visit, you give us a glimpse of cultures, people's and environments in an unbiased and down to earth manner and for that we are so grateful! Thank you!!

[joepeach]

Absolutely Epic journey. The kindness and hospitality shown by these wonderful people is heartwarming. The truck driver, Yuri and so many others made me love this part of Russia. I think Yuri inviting you to his home, feeding you and driving you would make a wonderful neighbor/friend to have. I can't imagine all the heartbreak and sacrifices the Russians and Japanese went thru during the war. This trip was so rewarding that I didn't miss that you were not train-hopping, lol. Well done Vaga Bond, the wait was worth it. And to all the wonderful people of this island so far from me, I wish you were closer and I hope to think you are my friend.

[speaksthis]

Thanks for this video. I am an American living in Japan. I wanted to go to Sakhalin last summer, but things happened. I appreciate your effort to show us.

[mains]

The best travel channel hands down, no bullshit and full of good information and content. Good going man, been here since 20k, hoping for 100k by the end of the year

[Bosolevu]

What I like the most about your videos is your genuity. Very natural. No acting.

[williamwallace]

If you get into a strange man's truck and he offers you his cucumber, you are either in trouble or you are in Russia