#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**!
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### **🌊 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)
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### **💰 Budget Breakdown**
- **Entry:** ¥300 (includes gull feed)
- **Transport:** ¥500 bus from Hachinohe Station
- **Souvenirs:** ¥800 for handmade gull feather charms
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### **⚠️ 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!)*
