Feathered Spirits & Ocean Whispers: A Summer Pilgrimage to Kabushima Shrine

#summervacay **Why Visit in Summer?** From May to August, **30,000 black-tailed gulls** transform this tiny island into a living snowstorm of wings and cries—a Shinto-meets-nature spectacle found nowhere else in Japan. Time your visit for the **umineko (sea gull) nesting frenzy**! --- ### **🌊 Your Perfect Umineko Encounter** #### **5:30 AM - Dawn with the Birds** - **Low Tide Walk:** Cross the stone causeway as the sun rises (free entry before 8 AM) - **Sacred Ritual:** Watch priests scatter **hama-mochi** (beach rice cakes) for the gulls at 6 AM #### **7:00 AM - Shrine Secrets** - **Pray for Sailors:** Leave an **ema (plaque)** shaped like a fishing boat - **Find the "Lucky Beak"** – A weathered gull statue hidden behind the main hall #### **9:00 AM - Seabird Science** - **Visitor Center:** Peer through telescopes at chicks hatching (June-July only) - **Local Breakfast:** Try **tsugaru-jam senbei** (seagull-shaped crackers) --- ### **💰 Budget Breakdown** - **Entry:** ¥300 (includes gull feed) - **Transport:** ¥500 bus from Hachinohe Station - **Souvenirs:** ¥800 for handmade gull feather charms --- ### **⚠️ Birdwatcher’s Code** - **Wear a Hat:** Gulls are… enthusiastic (free plastic helmets available) - **Silence Pays:** Quieter visitors spot rare **black-winged stilts** in the marsh - **Timing Magic:** High tide = island isolation (check tide tables!) **Why This Beats Typical Shrines?** ✅ **Up-close wildlife** with spiritual ambiance ✅ **Summer-only drama** of chicks learning to fly (July-August) ✅ **Breathtaking 360° views** of Tanesashi Coast **Tag your visit #gullgauntlet!** 🕊️🌅 *(Pair with afternoon **Tanesashi Coast hiking**—just 10 mins away!)*