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 north of Sannai settlement. Another island called Hira-shima (平島) lies southeast of Benten-jima.

Benten-jima is 0.5 ha in area, its perimeter is roughly 500 m, and its highest point is 20 m 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.