The waters off Rausu in Shiretoko, Hokkaido, are a popular spot known for the high probability of observing wild orcas. This time, what was photographed off the coast of Rausu was a 'white orca,' an extremely rare sight globally. Its pure white form, standing out in the pod, is like a miracle appearing in the sea. Here are the details of that precious moment captured on camera.

The photo shows a genuine 'white orca.' Among the pod of orcas, its strikingly pure white body is both powerful and mystical. When this photo was posted on social media, it received about 10,000 'likes,' and users left comments such as "Congratulations!" as well as "Mystical" and "I've always wanted to take a picture like this."

An Encounter with the 'Phantom White Orca,' a Global Rarity

A precious shot of the 'white orca' taken by Reiko Jotaki

The person who took this photo is Reiko Jotaki, an artist who creates paintings of marine life. The photo was taken on June 8, 2026. Ms. Jotaki recalls the moment, saying, "Even when the white orca dived, its bright body color was visible through the surface of the water, and it was truly beautiful."

The phantom white orca that can be encountered off the coast of Shiretoko, Rausu. Its mystical appearance in the wild continues to fascinate many people.