JapanGuides.net
The Shakotan Peninsula’s jagged coastline holds back the transparent sea. The area including Cape Ogon, Cape Kamui and Cape Shakotan was designated as Hokkaido’s only undersea park in 1972. Cape Shakotan is a coast of cliffs 100 to 200 meters high that overlook the rough but beautiful Sea of Japan. The area includes the mountain range of Mt. Shakotan-dake and Mt. Yobetsu-dake, as well as Cape Kamui.
Cape Kamui, at the west end, was said to be the Sea of Japan’s most difficult place to navigate. An esplanade now extends to the tip of the cape. A 30-meter-high stone formation called Mizunashi-no-Tateiwa towers over the sea on the east side of the cape and appears different when seen from different angles. A coastal road along the entire peninsula has recently opened, and the area is attracting attention as a new tourist spot.
The Shakotan peninsula, to the west of Otaru, is famous for it’s many bluffs and the strange rocks along the shore. The rugged coastline, oddly shaped rock formations and sheer cliffs characterize this area. Cape Shakotan, at the northern tip of the peninsula, forms an excellent observation point from where you can look over the rocks jutting out of the ocean and see the shoreline that stretches out for miles. There is a walking path around the cape that takes about an hour.
Access: Cape Shakotan is 1hr 50min by Chuo bus to from JR Otaru Station to Iruka bus stop.
Shakotan Peninsula Tourist Office 5-43 Kurokawacho, Yoichi, Yoichi District, Hokkaido Prefecture 046-0003, Japan
Tel: 0135-23-4400
Shakotan Tourist Association 380-6, aza-Funama, ooaza-Bikunicho, Shakotan-town (Shakotan-cho), HOKKAIDO, 046-0201 JAPAN TEL: 0135-44-3715
E-mail: i…@kanko-shakotan.jp
Website: http://www.kanko-shakotan.jp/eng/index.html
