In the end of February, the Sea of Okhotsk facing the Nemuro peninsula suddenly turns into an extensive bright white icefield, covered by the vast ice floes that has finally arrived after a long journey from the Amurriver of Siberia. At the eastern-most Cape Nosappu, the Dynamic move of ice floes in a silver winter world along with the earliest sunrise in transparent cold morning air, gives a poignant impact that fascinates many sightseers.
In the beginning of April – Return journey of whooper swans
In the beginning of April, the coming of spring tells whooper swans to set out on the return journey to Sibelia. At Lake Furen prefectural natural park, the graceful dance of about ten thousands migrating whooper swans can be seen twice a year, during spring and autumn.
In the beginning of May:
- In the beginning of May, the blooming of skunk cabbage tells us the arrival of lovey, serene spring. Skunk cabbage is seen along the national road /route 44, in the Northern wildflower park and sanctuary.
- Yukiwari primrose is designated as a symbolic flower of Nemuro and grows gregariously in the beginning of May, resembling a marvelous visid red carpet on the snowland. Tiny but vital flowers of Yukiwari primrose under severe climatic conditions carry an implicit message, telling us an importance of being strong with hope even in adversity.
In the end of May – Efflorescence of Chishima Cherry Tree
In the end of May The Chishima Cherry Tree, designated as a symbolic municipal tree of Nemuro, come out latest among all species of cherry tree existing in Japan. The Chishima Cherry Tree is a variety of The Mine Cherry Tree, characterized by its hairy petiole, peduncle and calyx. The Chishima Cherry Tree in the Seiryuji Buddhist temple are under prefectural protection.
In the beginning of June:
- Sakai Rhododendron, special natural treasure donated to Cape Ochiishi, is recognized botanically as very precious, due to its rare example of isolated colony distribution. Sakai tsutsuji the (name in Japanese means boundary azalea) derives from the fact that the Sakai Rhododendron existed in a tundra of Sakhalin, which was once divided by the border between Japan and Russia.
- In the beginning of June, the Black Lily can be seen in full blossom at Lake Chobushi and at the Northern wildflower park and sanctuary. The Black Lily shows its beautiful deep-purple flowers, and gives off a distinctive soft and sweet scent worth sniffing.
In the end of June:
- In the end of June, the Japanese Wild Rose is in full bloom with big impressive rose petals and forms a colony which stretches 4 kilometers in length at the Shunkunitai wildlife preserve. The scent of the Japanese Wild Rose, mingled with the sea breeze, reminds. Us of the arrival of a short summer.
- Throughout history, Ezo Gentian interest has the Risen in its use in madicine for a weak stomach, therefore the colony of Ezo Gentian has been drastically diminishing. Ezo Gentian in the Nemuro wilderness seems much bigger and more vivid in color than that of the mainland.
In the middle of November – The coming of whooper swans
In the middle of November, whooper swans come flying from Sibelia, telling us the arrival of a long severe winter. At Lake Furen prefectural natural park, the graceful dance of about ten thousand migrating whooper swans can be seen twice a year, during spring and autumn.
Lake Odaito
This body of water, enclosed in a sandbar shaped like a shrimp, is also known as Notsuke bay. It is one of the main attractions of Notsuke-Furen Prefectural Park. The sea here is blessed with an abundance of marine life. East of Lake Odaito, overlooking the Sea of Okhotsk, Cape Nosappu is situated at the tip of the Nemuro Peninsula and is the easternmost point in Japan. The lighthouse is the oldest in Hokkaido, built in 1872.
Access To Cape Nosappu: 40 min by Nemuro Kotsu bus from JR Nemuro Station to Nosappu Misaki bus stop.
Nemuro City
Nemuro City (Nemuro-shi) is one of the main cities on the eastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan’s most northern territory. Mainly countryside like most of Hokkaido, Nemuro is replete with nature’s beauty. Compared to the rest of Hokkaido, Nemuro doesn’t have as much snow, but still a lot from the beautiful region of Ochishi.
The Nemuro Peninsula has the Lowest warmth index in Japan. A warmth index can be calculated by subtracting 5°C from the average temperature each month, then aggregate the total. The index shows a correlation between vegetation distribution and temperature fluctuation of an area. The Nemuro Peninsula stays cold throughout the year exposed to fogs produced by sea currents in summer and drift ice in winter. Such environmental conditions create a unique and diverse landscape of Furen-ko.
