Passenger Boats of Hokkaido
Otaru (Otaru Canal)
We recommend you take your time strolling throughthe streets of Otaru, with their air of nostalgic charm.
Along the Otaru Canal stand 63 gas lamps, and thebanks are lined with gift shops and restaurants.
Many boats are also moored in the North Canalarea, creating a scene reminiscent of the old days ofthe canal.

1025 min. by car from Sapporo North Interchange via the Sasson Expwy.

ACCESS

Haboro Enkai Ferry

Lake Shikotsurryuru

i FeOkushiri IslandCape Shakotan

2ShakotanaiznkaShinNiho

Sea of Japan

1Ishikari Bay

Yoichi Otaru

Sasson Expwy.

KutchanOtaki
ACCESS 140 min. from Esashi Port to Okushiri Port by Heart Land Ferry.

Kunnui IC

Oshamambe

Aramachi

Setanao-o

Otoshibe ICandFer

Hakodate

xpwy.

Hidaka-Mombetsu IC
Hidaka-Atsuga IC

Churui-Taiki IC

Lake Shikaribetsu
Surrounded by Mt. Tenbo, Mt. Hakuun and Mt. East
Petoutoru, this lake (see photo) boasts great natural
splendor. The circumference of the lake is borderedby old-growth forest (Sakhalin firs, Yezo spruces
and Erman’s birch), an inheritance of nature fromancient times. The vast natural setting can be
explored on a guided tour, by reservation. Call theNature Center at 0156-69-8181.

Tokachi Scenic Byway
Minami Tokachi Yumekaido

Pacific Ocean

Erimo

15

Cape Erimo

60 min. by car from downtown Obihiro to Shikaoi via Natl. Rtes. 241 or 274 or Pref. Rte. 85.

Kushiro (Kushiro-shitsugen)Kushiro-shitsugen, Japan’s largest peat meadows andher first Ramsar Convention-registered wetland (seephoto), comprises a national park. It is the precious
home of a variety of plants and animals including
red-crowned Japanese crane, a Special NaturalMonument. Local delicacies can be sampled at Washo
Market and Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO. The cityis blessed with the bounties of the sea, and robata
restaurants grill your dinner right before your eyes.

Hakodate Airport

ugata/T
suriga/Nikita
To
Arryi Fenkaiho

Expressway or
high-standard highway

ACCESS

National highway

16

Cruise operator

Lake/Pond

Scenic Byway route

Bekkai (Notsuke Peninsula: Japan’s largest sandspit)

The “Bekkai Jukkei” (Ten Magnificent Views of Bekkai)
include the Notsuke Peninsula; Todowara; Notsuke
Peninsula Wildflower Park; Hakubadai, where swans
congregated from December through March; Barasan
Pond, a paradise for small animals; the pristine Lake
Furen; and Yaushubetsu Estuary that displays thebeauty of the border between the great river and the lake.
In early summer and late autumn, you can see fisherman
hauling in Hokkai tiger shrimp, a local specialty, from the Utase trawlers (see photo) in Notsuke Bay.

ACCESS1860 min. by car from Kushiro Airport to Lake Akan via Natl. Rte. 240.

50 min. by car from Nakashibetsu Airport via Natl. Rte. 272.

The Shiretoko Peninsula

After taking a pleasure cruise from Utoro Port orRausu Port to experience in full the nature of theShiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
why not visit the “Shiretoko Hakkei” (Eight MagnificentViews of Shiretoko)? These include Oshinkoshin
Falls, Oronko Rock, the Yuhidai overlook, CapePuyuni, Furepe Falls, Shiretoko Pass, the Shiretoko
Five Lakes and Kamui Wakka Falls. Seseki Hot
Spring and Lake Rausu are also famous and have appeared in a Japanese television show.
ACCESS

19

104 min. by car from Memanbetsu Airport to Utoro via Pref. Rte. 64 to Natl. Rte. 244, then Natl. Rte. 334.
131 min. by car from Memanbetsu Airport to Rausu via Pref. Rte. 64 to Natl. Rte. 244, then Natl. Rte. 334.
60 min. by car from Nakashibetsu Airport to Rausu via Pref. Rte. 774 to Natl. Rte. 225.
110 min. by car from Nakashibetsu Airport to Utoro via Pref. Rte. 150 to Natl. Rte. 244, then Natl. Rte. 334.

Abashiri
Abashiri is known for drift ice viewing, such as fromthe Aurora icebreaker ship and from the Ryuhyo
Norokko Train. Not only does the city offer opportunities to enjoy the splendid natural environment of theSea of Okhotsk in winter, but one can also enjoy
these opportunities from spring through summer,
such as by watching whales, dolphins and seabirds
off of Abashiri. The Abashiri Prison Museum andOkhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum are also famous.

ACCESS20
Lake Akan (see photo) and its environs feature
gourmet cuisine, and sightseeing spots that include
Akan Lakefront Overlook; Akan Lakefront Eco-Museum Center, which you can cross to in a pleasure boat;
bokke geothermal mud vents and more, as well as footbaths and easy hiking up Mt. Hakuto. Hot spring hotels
abound, and the Ainu Theater (Ikor) and gift shops
feature the culture of the indigenous Ainu people.

Ferry route
Airport20 min. from Kushiro Station on the JR Semmo Main Line,or 34 min. by car via Natl. Rte. 391.

Lake Akan

Railroad

Ferry operator

Cape Nosappu

ACCESS

14

Shin-Hakodate-HokutoShnnelan TuSeik

15 min. by car from JR Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station.
32 min. by car from Hakodate Airport via Hakodate Shinsotokan Rd., the Hakodate Shindo, and Natl. Rte. 5.

Kyoritsu Marine ServiceNakano Tsusen (cruises)

Marukatsu Kosan
Ichiei Marine

Onuma

ACCESS

I.com Co., Ltd.

Eastern
Hokkaido

The Habomai Islands

NemuroNemuro Bay

15y.

Star Marine

A 15-min. walk from JR Hakodate Station toward Nijukken Zaka Slope,or 55 min. by car from JR Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station to the Kakinoshima Site.

Lava from the eruption of Mt. Komagadake, a local
landmark, formed Onuma by banking up the river (seephoto). Onuma’s beauty has been widely known since theEdo era. This resort features fishing, cycling, golfing, tennis,hiking, horseback riding, camping, fruit picking and otheroutdoor recreations, in addition to hot spring baths, hotels
and local specialties.

3 Tomakomai

Hokkaido Shinkansen

8Bekkai

Notsuke Peninsula

Akan IC Kushiro
Kushiro-nishi IC
Kushiro-higashi IC
Kushiro Airport

Hakodate
Donan-Oiwake
Scenic Byway RouteNakashibetsu

17

17

ACCESSin N

9Onuma9Onumakoen ICTeshikaga

Shikotan Island

Bekkaicho Tourist Assoc.

Tokachi Obihiro
AirportpwEx

Shiretoko Aruran Corp.
Shiretoko Nature Cruise
Northern Shiretoko Tours
Oda Construction (Hamanasu)

Ashoro IC

Tokachi Scenic Byway
Tokapuchi Yudai-Kukan

6To Aomori

ACCESSry

Hakodate-OnumaFunkawan Route Mori ICEsashi

This port flourished as an early gateway to Japan. Frombygone days, it has blended Western and Japanese styles.
Among the many remaining structures that attest to this richhistory are redbrick warehouses (see photo), churches inMotomachi, the Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward and more.
The Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan, including
Hakodate with its inheritance of the lives of the Jomon
people (at the Kakinoshima and Ofune Sites), are registeredas World Cultural Heritage Sites and have gained attention worldwide.

HidakaChitoseMaruha Horai Suisan Co., Ltd.
(Godzilla Rock Tourism)

Scenic Byway

Obihiroi/Nagoya

rt L

Eniwa

Tokachi-Shimizu IC

aTo Send

Hea

Seikan Ferry

8

7

xpwyShimukappu IC.

Rausu

Shibetsu
Kitami
Lake Kussharo
Nemuro Nakashibetsu
AirportAkan Kanko
Lake Mashu
Kisen (cruises)

Tokachi Scenic Byway
Tokachi Plain/Sanroku RouteDoto Expwy.

Yubari IC Doto E

18

Lake Akan Kushiro Shitsugen-Akan-Mashu

Shikaoi

DateMuroran
Onuma Godo
Yusen (cruises)

14

Kunashiri Island

Cape Puyuni

East Okhotsk
Scenic Byway

16

Lake Shikaribetsu Kamishihoro
ShihoroNoboribetsu

Yakumo IC

Lake Shikaribetsu
Hot Spring Hotel

FuranoD

Uchiura Bay

RikubetsuShotoshibetsu
ICTakikawa

New Chitose Airport

Lake Shikotsu

5BihoroSounkyoTaisetsu/Furano
RouteCape Shiretoko

19

Kitami-nishi IC

Asahikawa
Airport135 min. by car from downtown Asahikawa via Hokkaido Expwy. Asahikawa-kita Interchange,
then Asahikawa Mombetsu Expwy. Ukishima Interchange to Natl. Rte. 273.
118 min. by car from Memanbetsu Airport to the Bihoro Bypass and Natl. Rte. 238.

UtoroUkishima IC

Asahikawa

ACCESS

Etorofu Island

Memanbetsu Airport

Sapporo4

Toya-ko Kisen (cruises)
Lake Toya

Okushiri Island

Rumoi-Owada IC

Mombetsu is noted for drift ice and the tiny clione
mollusk. After a bracing ride abroad the Garinko-go
icebreaker, visit the Giza Okhotsk Sea Ice Museum ofHokkaido (see photo) or take a break at Okhotsk
Hyoumon-no-Eki Mall. Built on the site of the former
JR Mombetsu Station, the mall offers local delicacies
and adjoining hot baths.

(Shiretoko Cruiser Tour Boat Dolphin)

AbashiriEngaru-Setose IC

SapporoOkadama
AirportShikotsu-ko Kanko
Unyu (cruises)

Shikotsu-ToyaNiseko Route

Lake SaromaFox
White Lily Asahikawa

Eastern Hokkaido Tourist Assoc.
Abashiri Nature Cruise

20Rumoi

Sapporo Scenic Byway
Moiwasanroku-Jozankei RouteThis island in the Sea of Japan is endowed with richocean resources. Untouched nature remains here,
bestowing gifts in plenty such as water in an
outstandingly clear shade called “Okushiri blue,”rocks formed over long years, beech forests morethan a century old and gushing hot springs.

SouthernHokkaido

Shibetsu-Kembuchi ICryMOL FerFerry
Taiheiyo

7Moeru Tempoku
Ororon Route

Otaru Canal BoatOtaru Tourist Assoc.
Big Blue (Otaru Cruise Service)
Phoenix Sightseeing CorporationMarine Wave Otaru

Shakotan Tourist Assoc.

25 min. by car from downtown Chitose via Pref. Rte. 16 and Natl. Rte. 453, or 30 min. by car fromdowntown Tomakomai to Lake Shikotsu Hot Springs via Natl. Rte. 36 and then Natl. Rte. 276.

Okhotsk MonbetsuAirportShibetsu

Fukagawa

ta/MACCESSACCESS

iiga

Forty kilometers in circumference, transparent to adepth of 17.5 m and averaging 3.6 degrees
centigrade in water temperature, this is the coldest
ice-free lake in Japan. Its depth of 360.1 m makes it
the second-deepest lake in Japan, after Lake
Tazawa. The lake is in Shikotsu Toya Natl. Park,surrounded by dense forest. This is a perfect place
for a stroll amidst nature.

Mombetsu

Teshiogawa
Scenic Byway

Lake Shumarinai

60 min. by car from New Chitose Airport Interchange to Muroran Interchange via the Hokkaido Expwy.
88 min. on the JR Muroran Main Line from New Chitose Airport Station to Minami Chitose then Muroran
Station (on the limited express).

ToN

4

A city of iron and steel, Muroran is situated by the sea andknown for its eight scenic spots, including Cape Chikyu(see photo). Hakucho Bridge, which spans the Port ofMuroran, is the largest suspension bridge in easternJapan. Muroran has a lot to offer, not only in the daytime,
but also at night, including one of the best factory nightviews in Japan, which can be seen from a boat. MuroranYakitori (pork brochette) is also not to be missed.

25 min. by car from downtown Tomakomai, 15 min. by car from New Chitose Airport.

12

HaboroMuroran (Cape Chikyu)

6NayoroMombetsu (Okhotsk)

13(Godzilla Rock Tourism)

Lake Saroma Seal Observation
Sightseeing Boat13

105 min. by car from Asahikawa Airport via Natl. Rte. 237 to Hokkaido Expwy. Asahikawa-kita
Interchange, then Shibetsu-Kembuchi Interchange and Natl. Rte. 239 to Pref. Rte. 251.

Eastern Hokkaido Tourist Assoc.
Maruha Horai Suisan Co., Ltd.

Okhotsk Garinko Tower

OkoppeBifukaTeuri andYagishiri Islands 11

A landing base for middle- and long-distance ferries.
Enjoy the rare marshland of Lake Utonai (a Ramsar
Convention registered wetland), which preserves adiverse ecosystem. Known as a paradise for wild
birds, approximately 270 types including geese,ducks, and swans have been confirmed, and visitors
can experience nature in every season. Sakhalin
surf clams are a popular souvenir.

Sea of Okhotsk

Shumarinai Kanko
Kisen (cruises)

Do-o E60 min. by car from downtown Otaru via Natl. Rte. 5, and then Shiribeshi Expwy.
and Natl. Rte. 229.

Otoi’neppu

ACCESS

35 min. from Haboro to Yagishiri or 15 min. from Yagishiri to Teuri,
by Haboro Enkai Ferry’s speed boat.

ACCESS80 min. by car from New Chitose Airport Interchange to Abuta-Toyako Interchange via the Hokkaido Expwy.
90 min. on the JR Muroran Main Line from New Chitose Airport Station to Minami Chitose then Toya Station(on the limited express).

Tomakomai (Lake Utonai)

ACCESS

Teuri Island (see photo), known as a paradise ofseabirds, offers tourists the opportunity to watch
rhinoceros auklets returning to their nesting grounds
and to enjoy fishing for sea urchin. Yagishiri Island has
many must-visit spots, including a primeval forest ofJapanese yew trees and a sheep ranch. Visitors cantake a sightseeing taxi or rent a bicycle for a tour
around the island.

Lake Kutcharo

Sandwiched between Toyako Town and Sobetsu
Town, this lake is a popular hot spring resort.
Surrounding areas feature fruit picking, cycling,camping, fireworks and other sightseeing andrecreational attractions. There is also a geopark tolearn about the relationship between life and theever-changing Earth.

The largest reservoir in Japan (the size of about 2,373
soccer fields) is also famous as the habitat of the veryrare Japanese huchen. Wilderness areas subject tostrict nature conservation regulations extend acrossthe whole of Lake Shumarinai, retaining nature’s
primitive form. The land is a marvelous wilderness.

Teuri and Yagishiri Islands

Soya Scenic Byway

Lake Toya

5The incomparably majestic, clear seas draw divers
from throughout Japan. Choose from many marine
sports, and finish with a hike to the tip of the peninsula, for spectacular views of the unique rocks andemerald ocean.

311Lake Shumarinai

12100 min. from Wakkanai to Oshidomari on Rishiri Islandor 115 min. to Kafuka on Rebun Island, by Heart Land Ferry.

ACCESS

Rishiri Island

The Shakotan Peninsula

ACCESS

Wakkanai

Rebun Island

To Oarai

2Central
Hokkaido

Cape Soya
Soya Bay
Wakkanai Airport

To Hachinohe

ACCESSHeart Land Ferry

Rishiri and Rebun Islands

Rishiri Island is known for its rich natural environment
and abundant marine resources, including sea urchinand kelp. The highest point on the island is Mt. Rishiri(elevation 1,721 m), one of the 100 Famous JapaneseMountains. It’s popular among mountaineers and isknown as Rishiri-Fuji for its resemblance in shape to Mt.
Fuji. The base of Mt. Rishiri extends to the coast, andyou can see the magnificent figure of the mountain fromanywhere on the island. Rebun Island, the northernmost remote island in Japan, blossoms withroughly 300 species of alpine plants from 0 m above sea level. These include rare native species likethe Rebun orchid that only blooms here, and the island is called the “floating flower island.” Steepcliffs on the western coast and rolling mountains on the eastern coast also make spectacular sights.

NorthernHokkaidonKawasaki Kinkai Kise

11025 min. by car from Memanbetsu Airport via Pref. Rte. 64 to Natl. Rte. 39.

Lake Saroma

With a circumference of 91 km, Lake Saroma is thelargest lake in Hokkaido. It’s surrounded by scenic
spots, including Wakka Wild Flower Park, which isfamed as a vantage for beautiful sunsets over thelake (see photo). The lake is also known as thevenue for the Lake Saroma 100-km Ultra Marathon,
which is held every late June. Scallops and Hokkaishrimp from the lake are not to be missed.

ACCESS

65 min. by car from Memanbetsu Airport via the Bihoro Bypass to Natle. Rte. 39,
then Natl. Rte. 238.