Japan: White Killer Whale Filmed off Rausu, Hokkaido in Rare Encounter

A rare white killer whale has been spotted off the coast of Rausu, Hokkaido, in northeastern Japan — an exceptionally uncommon sighting even by global standards. The white orca was filmed on Monday, June 8, among a pod of killer whales approximately 3.5 miles (about 6 km) north-northeast of Rausu Port. The animal is believed to be a leucistic individual rather than an albino — leucism results in reduced pigmentation while retaining the ability to produce melanin, unlike albinism, which causes red eyes. The orca's eyes appear dark, which is consistent with leucism.

• Product Code
• ILEA005082305

• Registered date
• 2026/6/10 17:17:58

• Credit
• @hayakawa0622 via Spectee

• Media source
• @hayakawa0622 via Spectee

• Media size
• 1920 × 1080 pixel

• Deployment size
• 30.28(MB)*

• Special instruction
• Hokkaido, Video Location: Approximately 3.5 miles (about 6 km) north-northeast o Rausu Town, 2026 between 09:15h and 10:30h, Japan Video Recording Date/Time: June 8
  

*File size when opened in Photoshop, etc.