Kurils/Kunashir: Salmon Running Up River

Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, and Kamchatka are the three places with the highest salmon runs in the world (and supposedly this year is particularly abundant). Just the first stop on Kunashir Island at a small river – and it’s packed to the rim with salmon trying to jump over a waterfall. Salmon returns to land after their life at sea to swim and jump up the river and then spawn and die. At least salmon has a clear goal in life!