Wakkanai

Access from Honshu
By air

Rumoi

Otaru

Tokyo to Wakkanai: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Tokyo to Chitose: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Tokyo to Asahikawa: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Asahikawa

Mashike

By seaSapporoMaizuru/Tsuruga to Otaru: 21 to 30 hours
Niigata to Otaru: Approximately 18 hours(Shin Nihonkai Ferry, Phone: 0134-22-6191)

ChitoseAccess from major cities in Hokkaido
By carFrom Sapporo

Tokyo

Approximately 2 hours via the Fukagawa-Rumoi Expressway(approximately 130 kilometers) and Routes 233 and 231(approximately 36 kilometers)

Approximately 2 hours via Route 231 (110 kilometers)
Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes via Route 275, Prefectural Highway 94
and Route 231 (153 kilometers)

MASHIKE

From Asahikawa

Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes via the Fukagawa-Rumoi Expressway(68 kilometers) and Routes 233 and 231 (36 kilometers)

Traveling through history and nature

Approximately 2 hours via Routes 12, 233, and 231 (100 kilometers)

From Wakkanai

Approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes via Routes 40, 232, and 231(210 kilometers)

By JR lines

From Sapporo (Hakodate Main Line – Rumoi Main Line)
Approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes on the Rumoi Main Line via Fukagawa
From Asahikawa (Hakodate Main Line – Rumoi Main Line)
Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes on the Rumoi Main Line via Fukagawa
From Wakkanai (Soya Main Line – Hakodate Main Line – Rumoi Main Line)
Approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes on the Rumoi Main Line via Fukagawa

Tourist Information
Tourism Promotion Office, Economic
0164-53-3332
Affairs Division, Mashike Town
0164-53-3332
Mashike Tourist Association
Both phones are staffed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
except for weekends and holidays.
URL:http://www.town.mashike.hokkaido.jp/
http://mashike.jp/

Rumoi

Mashike
Fukagawa

Otaru

Shokanbetsu-Teuri-Yagishiri Quasi-National Park
SapporoAsahikawaMount Shokanbetsu with rich alpine plants

Walking in Mashike, the historic North Hokkaido town

In 1990, Mount Shokanbetsu, the highest mountain of the Mashike Mountains,
and the Ofuyu Coast were designated as a Quasi-National Park: ShokanbetsuTeuri-Yagishiri Quasi-National Park. The mountain is particularly beautiful withsnow remaining until July. The climbing season of Mount Shokanbetsu starts in
mid-June. From the Mashike side, the two climbing routes are the Shokan andHashibetsu routes. At an altitude of 1,100 meters or above, you will able to see
many alpine plants. Mount Shokanbetsu is one of Japan's 100 Greatest Flower
Mountains. On holidays in April and May, many people enjoy skiing.

Mashike has been flourishing as the oldest fishing town in northern Hokkaido since afishing harbor opened in Mashike approximately two hundred and sixty years ago.
Around Mashike Station, several old buildings from the late 19th and early 20th
centuries still stand, including the Old Maruichi-Honma Residence, an important
cultural asset of Japan. The former Mashike Elementary School and other historicbuildings in front of the station have been designated as Hokkaido Heritage sites. We
recommend walking in the area, enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of the historic
town.

Endowed with great natural foodstuffs

Ofuyu Coast

Mashike is endowed with many kinds of seafood, including prawns, scallops,
octopus, sea urchin, abalone, sole and salmon. Mashike is also the northernmost
fruit-growing district, producing delicious strawberries, cherries, grapes, Japanesepears, apples and other fruits. Rice produced in Mashike is famous for its quality
and taste. Traditional seafood products include tender boiled octopus (tako noyawaraka ni), salted herring roe (kazunoko), sea urchin salted overnight (uniichiya-zuke) and salmon jerky (saketoba). Kunimare Shuzo, Japan's northernmost
sake brewer, makes sake using the subsoil water of Mount Shokanbetsu. Mashikeis truly endowed with great foodstuffs. Enjoy natural and delicious Mashike food.

Mount Shokanbetsu lies directly adjacent to the Sea of Japan, creating the steep andforbidding cliffs of the Ofuyu Coast. The Ofuyu district used to be isolated from othervillages in the old days. The coastline is beautiful to look at, but was harsh on people
living there. In 1989, however, a national road was constructed to connect Sapporo
and Rumoi cities. Along the 25-kilometer coastline from the Ofuyu Cape to Kamuieto
Cape, you will see many capes, strange-shaped rocks and cliffs jutting out into the Sea
of Japan. Enjoy the beauty created by nature.

Former Mashike Elementary School and historic buildings in front of Mashike Station,
Hokkaido Heritage sites

Old Maruichi-Honma Residence
Important Cultural Asset of Japan

Old Maruichi-Honma Residence■ Designated as an important cultural asset on
December 25, 2003
■ Structure: 3-story wooden house■ Floor area: 1,237.83 ㎡■ Open to the public from late April to earlyNovember■ For inquiries, call 0164-53-1511.

History and good foodOn the street in front of Mashike Station standth
several old buildings from the late 19 andthearly 20 centuries. In northern Hokkaido, thisis the only area where such historic townscapehas been preserved. Historic buildings include
the Old Maruichi-Honma Residence, an
important cultural asset of Japan, and Kunimare
Shuzo, the northernmost sake brewer. Five sushi
restaurants, a ramen restaurant, fish sausage(kamaboko) store and pickle (tsukemono) store
are also here. Feel the long history of Mashikeand enjoy the delicacies of the season.

Mashike Terminal Station
Mashike Station fulfilled an importantrole in developing North Hokkaido,
serving as a center for cultural, as wellas industrial, transportation. In 1921,
the railroad was extended to Mashike.
The station building was constructedwhen the railroad was extended, but
was later reduced to the current sizedue to cutbacks. Mashike Station has
been featured in many movies and TV
dramas as a terminal station wheretrains end their travels.
Former Mashike Elementary School
The school was built in 1936 and was useduntil 2012, when a new school opened. You
can see beautiful truss construction in the
gymnasium.

Mashike Itsukushima Shrine
Mashike Itsukushima Shrine was founded
approximately 620 years ago, and is
one of the oldest shrines in Hokkaido.
The statues of Chinese lions and stonelantern date back to the Edo Period. The
shrine has many excellent works of art,
including votive pictures (ema) in the front shrine,a painting of dragon and clouds on the ceiling and other Japanesepaintings. The main shrine is made entirely of Japanese zelkova,
and decorated with more than seventy sculptures from Chineselegends. In 1999, Mashike Itsukushima Shrine was designated asa tangible cultural asset of Mashike.

Kunimare Shuzo, Japan's northernmost sake brewer

Enjoying old culture

founded in 1882

Despite being thenorthernmost village faraway from cultural centers,
Mashike has been a sourceof cultural inspiration.
Writings and studies by the
Akita clan samurai, whostayed at Mashike during
the Edo Period, had asignificant cultural
influence on Mashike.
Many novelists and writers
also visited Mashike,
fascinated by the life andpeople on the frontier, andpublished many works.

MoviesChronology of Mashike literature
1813 Shinobugusa, essays
by Mokudayu Yokooka, Tsugaru clansman
1856 Hokkoso, anthology of Chinese poetryby Chosho Yoshizawa, Akita clansman
1856 Mashike was mentioned in
Takeshiro Kaiho Nikki (travel journal)
by Takeshiro Matsuura
1860 Mashike Tsumekata Nikki (work journal)
by Akita clansmen
1907 Takeo Arishima visited Mashike andcomposed haiku on the hill at Miyoshi Shrine
1913 Roka Tokutomi published
Mimizu no Tawagoto
1926 Bokusui Wakayama visited Mashikeand hosted a poetry recital1931 Mashike-ko, free-verse haiku
by Seisensui Ogiwara
1955 Nishin, reportageby Tsuguo Ando
1964 Danshaku to Boku
by Yasuo Maruyama from Nobusha
1968 Maboroshi no Sakana
by Renzaburo Shibata
1971 Karasu no Hama by Akira Yoshimura
based on the story of Ogasawara Maru

The Maruichi-Honma Family, sake brewer, enormously
contributed to Mashike's prosperity. Kunimare Shuzo,
brewer of famous Kunimare sake brewed using the subsoil
water of Mount Shokanbetsu, maintains the tradition ofsake brewing in Mashike. We also recommend visiting thesake cellar. You can bring the subsoil water home.

Movies located in Mashike1949 Jakoman to Tetsu Produced by Toho
Starring Toshiro Mifune and Ryunosuke Tsukigata

For inquiries, call 0164-53-9355.

1969 Shin Abashiri Bangaichi – Saihate no Nagaremono
Produced by Toei
Starring Ken Takakura and Yuriko Hoshi
1981 Eki – Station Produced by Toho
Staring Ken Takakura and Chieko Baisho
1983 Gyoei no Mure Produced by Shochiku
Starring Ken Ogata and Yukiyo Toake
1999 Kaizoku-ban = Bootleg Film
Produced by Monkey T. P.
Starring Akira Emoto and Kippei Shiina2000 Koroshi... Koroshi Produced by Museum
Starring Ken Ogata, Ryo Ishibashi and Nene Otsuka
2001 Aruku, Hito Produced by Monkey T. P.
Starring Ken Ogata, Teruyuki Kagawa
and Nene Otsuka

Akita Clan's Mashike Moto-jinya(old quarters)
The Shogunate Government of
Edo ordered the Akita clan toprotect West Ezo (Hokkaido) and
Karafuto from foreign invaders.
In 1856, the Akita clan
established their quarters in
Mashike. The building now
houses the Mashike Town
Historical Museum Moto-jinya,
where you can see old literatureand images and watch movies tolearn about samurai culture in
Mashike.

1974 Karasu to Harimo by Akira Yoshimura
1983 Kaze no Toride by Yasuko Harada
1997 Kyodai by Rei Nakanishi

For inquiries, call 0164-53-3522.

Dynamic coastline

Many capes and strange-shaped rocks are along the Ofuyu
Coast. We recommend seeing Akaiwa Cape, Kannonzaki,
Gokenzaki, Makka Cape and Kamuieto Cape.

Kannonzaki

Gokenzaki

Ofuyu Cape

Enjoying the magnificent views of the Ofuyu Coast along Route 231
Makka Cape

The vertical cliffs of the Ofuyu Coast, where Mount Shokanbetsu lies directly adjacent to the Sea
of Japan, are over 100 meters high.
Until only a quarter of a century ago, no cars could approach here.
Many places on the coastline are inaccessible from land including the coastline from Makka Capeto Kamuieto Cape. Some caves and waterfalls on the cliffs can be seen only from boats.
Seeing the sunset from Kamuieto and Ofuyu Capes is a must.
The drive from Sapporo to the Ofuyu district is approximately 90 minutes. You will enjoy abreathtaking drive along the beautiful Sea of Japan.
Akaiwa Cape

Kamuieto Cape

Mojiri Island (Kakuki's Island)

Rosoku(Candle) RockRo

A pier connects Mojiri
Island to the Iwaoi fishingharbor. The island used to
be owned privately, andKakuki was the owner's
business name. In June,ezoengosaku (corydalis ambigua) grows gregariously on
the southern slope of the island. We recommend viewing
Mojiri Island while bathing in the Iwao spa.

A strangely-shapedrock near the
Betsukari fishingharbor. The candlelike rock is over fifty
meters high. Behind
Rosoku-iwa, you willsee Kamuieto Cape,which is often referred
to as Devil's cape.

Sunset from Kamuieto capeOfuyu fishing portOfuyu Cape Observatory and Rock Park

Interesting spots on the Ofuyu Coast

On the mountain near Ofuyu's
inhabited area, the Ofuyu Cape
Observatory stands 135 meters above
sea level. From the observatory, youwill see the Shakotan Peninsula on thehorizon, as well as Teuri Island andYagishiri Island. On the left of theobservatory, you will see a vertical
cliff with columnar jointing. Near theentrance of the observatory is Rock
Park, where rocks of various sizes andlawn create mysterious landscapes.
Take a break at the arbor, which is agood place to look at the sea.

The third tunnel on the way from
Iwao spa to Mashike. Until the1950's, sulfur used to be produced inthis area. Inside the tunnel, you will
be able to smell sulfur.

Yudomari Tunnel
Eboshi RockYoshitsune Cave
Yoshitsune Cave is locatedbetween Betsukari fishing harborand Kamuieto Cape. The cave isdifficult to find, because it looks
like a gap between rocks. Whenthe sea is calm, you can go inside
the cave with a small boat.

Eboshi is a type of headgear wornby nobles. Eboshi Rock, wheresea birds rest their wings, is in the
Yudomari district. Since the rockalso resembles gohei, wooden
wands used in Shinto rituals,
locals also call it Gohei Rock.

Kamuieto Cape

Rosoku (Candle) RockOpen from late April
to late October
April, May, September
and October: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
June to August: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Makka Cape

Waterfalls on the Ofuyu Coast
Eboshi Rock

Ginrin Waterfall is located near
the Sapporo-side exit ofKuroiwa Tunnel. Huts forherring fishing used to standnear the waterfall. Fishermen
after work washed their work
outfits in the waterfall.
According to local legend, theherring scales from thefishermen's outfits changed thewaterfall into a silver color.

Perika Waterfall
Ginrin (Silver Scale) Waterfall
Yudomari Tunnel

Gokenzaki
Mojiri Island (Kakuki's Island)

Ginrin (Silver Scale) Waterfall

Kannonzaki

Akaiwa Cape

Ofuyu Cape Observatory and Rock Park

Gunkan (Warship) Island
Although called an island, Gunkan is
actually a small rock near the Ofuyu Cape,which resembles a warship.

Hakugin (White Silver) Waterfall
Ofuyu Cape

Perika Waterfall cannot be
accessed or seen from land;
the waterfall can be seen only
from boats. Perika is an Ainu
word, meaning "Cleaving thecliff in two, and falling." Thiswaterfall can be seen only
during snow-melting season.

Hakugin (White Silver) Waterfall
Driving from Ofuyu's inhabited area toward Sapporo,
you will soon find Hakugin Waterfall and parking
nearby. The waterfall is particularly beautiful when it
reflects the setting sun. During winter, the entire
waterfall freezes.

Perika Waterfall(The Hakugin Waterfall is part of Ishikari City)

Alpine plants of Mount Shokanbetsu

Flower garden in the sky
At an altitude of 1,100 meters or higher on Mount
Shokanbetsu, you can see alpine plants along both the
Shokan and Hashibetsu climbing routes. The mountainhas a flat area near the summit, where alpine plants
grow and bloom.
Particularly along the Hashibetsu route near thesummit, alpine plants grow gregariously from the
middle of June to the middle of July.
The weather tends to be stable during this period, anddifferent flowers bloom every week, so that you can see
different flowers every time you climb the mountain.

Mount Shokanbetsu, Quasi-National Park
Mount Shokanbetsu, 1,492 meters, is the highest of the Mashike Mountains. The mountain has three climbing
routes: Shokan, Hashibetsu, and a traverse route from Uryu.
The mountain is particularly beautiful with snow remaining until July. The climbing season of Mount
Shokanbetsu starts in the middle of June. From the summit on fine days, you can see the Sea of Japan, Mount
Yotei, Mount Daisetsu, Mount Rishiri, Shakotan Peninsula and other beautiful mountains, including Mount
Gumbetsu, Mount Hamamasu, Mount Nishi-shokan and Mount Minami-shokan.
The starting points of the climbing routes are close to the center of Mashike Town, approximately 20 minutes
by car.
One of the many charms of Mount Shokanbetsu is over 100 species of beautiful alpine plants that you can see
in June and July. Because of this, Mount Shokanbetsu is selected as one of Japan's 100 Greatest Flower
Mountains. Mashike genge (oxytropis shokanbetsuensis), mashike otogiri (hypericum yamamotoi), andmashike reijinso (aconitum mashikense) are endemic to Mount Shokanbetsu. The mountain attracts many
climbers from Hokkaido and throughout Japan.

Keiryu (Mountain Stream) Forest
Near the starting point of the Shokan climbing route of
Mount Shokanbetsu is an approximately ten-hector
forest called Keiryu Forest. The forest has four areas:
Bogaku (mountain view),
Seseragi (little stream),
Saezuri (bird singing) andSeiryu (clear stream) forest
areas. Spring flowers bloom
from late May to June.

mashike reijinso(aconitum mashikense)

mashike otogiri(hypericum yamamotoi)

Mashike genge(oxytropis shokanbetsuensis)

Enjoying many outdoor activities

throughout the year

Mashike Rinks

An eighteen-hole golf course with amagnificent view of Mount Shokanbetsu
and the Sea of Japan. Make splendid
shots in this golf course with naturallandscapes, aiming for your best score.

Riverside Park

For inquiries, call 0164-54-2144.

A ten-hector park located along the Shokanbetsu River
800 meters upstream from the river mouth. The park has
tennis courts, a park golf course and multi-purpose grassfield for soccer and other activities. Facilities for auto
camping are particularly well equipped and there are twocampsites. Facilities include camping sites with a power
supply for standard and camping cars, as well as cottages.
The park is open from late April to the middle of October.
For inquiries, call the Center House at 0164-53-1385.

Mount Shokanbetsu Ski Ground

Nord Marina
This ski slope's location enables you toview Teuri Island and Yagishiri Island in
the Sea of Japan from the ski slope. Fiveruns are available for all skiers, frombeginners to experts. The ski slope has two
2-seat lifts and a lodge of Northern
European design. The quality of snow is
wonderful, and the ski slope is only fivekilometers from the center of MashikeTown.
For inquiries, call 0164-53-3002.

For inquiries, call 0164-53-3939.

This marina's pier is capable of accommodating
sixty boats. The marina also has a clubhouse
designed to resemble a boat. Located near the
Ofuyu Coast with scenic beauty, many tourists
visit the marina.

Mashike's Great FoodAt the foot of Mount Shokanbetsu are 120 hectors of fruit farms, making
Mashike the northernmost fruit-growing district. In May, cherry trees
bloom first, followed by Japanese pears and apples. The fruit farms arefilled with white and pale pink flowers. Strawberries are harvested in June,cherries in July, plums and peaches in August, and prunes, grapes,
European pears and apples in September. The soil of the alluvial fan drains
water well, and the temperature changes between
night and day are significant despite the relatively
moderate climate of the area. These factors create
delicious fruits.

Fruit

Fresh
seafood

Local sake

Kunimare Shuzo is Japan's northernmost sake brewer located at 44
degrees north latitude. Kunimare Shuzo first brewed sake in 1882 andcontinues to this day. Mashike has been endowed with good water, andused to be a drinking water supply depot for Kitamae-bune, merchantships sailing between Hokkaido and other parts of Japan during the
Edo Period. The rich and clear subsoil water from Mount Shokanbetsu
is combined with the traditional brewing skills of Nanbu master
brewers, creating great sake with dry and refreshing taste. At
Kunimare Shuzo, you can buy all brands of sake brewed by Kunimare
Shuzo. You can also visit the sake cellar, taste sake for free and bring
the subsoil water home. Kunimare Shuzo is open seven days a weekthroughout the year, except the year-end and New Year holidays.

Seafoodproducts
Mashike has a long tradition in producing salted
herring roe (kazunoko), herring preserved in ricebran paste (nuka nishin) and other herring products.
In recent years, a wider variety of seafood products
are produced, including tender boiled octopus (takono yawaraka ni), salmon roe preserved in soy sauce(ikura shoyu-zuke), sea urchin salted overnight (uniichiya-zuke), smoked salmon, salted cod roe, octopus
products, prawn products and walleye pollack(suketodara) products. All these products are madewith Mashike's traditional seafood processing skills
and taste great.

Spot prawns (ama-ebi) are Mashike's
most representative fresh seafood.
Scallops and octopus can be enjoyedthroughout the year. At Mashikeharbor, herring and various kinds offlatfish in spring, whelk (tsubugai), sea
urchin and squid in summer, salmon,
sandfish and abalone in autumn, andcod, sculpin and skate (kasube) in
winter are landed among many otherkinds of seafood.

Mashike Town spa facilities with ocean view
Seeing the sunset is a must!

Many food festivals
Harbor Festival
in Summer

Prawn Festival in Spring

Iwao Spa Attamaru
spa facilities for day-trippers

For inquiries, call 0164-55-2024.

Iwao Spa Attamaru, spa facilities for daytrippers, is run by Mashike Town and locatedon the Ofuyu Coast along Route 231, a 90minute drive from Sapporo City.
The spring quality is classified as a coolmineral spring. The spa makes you relaxedand feeling truly warm, and you will not feelcold after a bath. Enjoy the view of the Sea ofJapan and the sun setting into the sea from thebath.

Sekiyoso, Bedrock Bathing
Sekiyoso offers bedrockbathing, as well as ordinary
baths. The place offers
accommodation, but also
welcomes day-trippers.
You can view the Ofuyu Coastfrom guest rooms, baths andbalconies. The local seafood
barbecue is also attractive.

A local youth organization holds a beer
party at the fireworks site, selling grilled
seafood, such as prawns, whelk (tsubugai)
and squid. Seeing fireworks from up close
is really exciting.
On the following day, the Summer Festival
is held in the town.

Mashike Town's biggest event.
Visitors can buy spot prawns (ama-ebi) landedon the day. Stalls sell prawn soup, fried prawns
and other dishes. A limited number of servings of
Mashike prawn curry, developed under thesupervision of Kiyomi Mikuni, a famous chefborn in Mashike, are also sold.
Over ten thousand people visit the festival every
year.

Autumn Food Festival
in Autumn

For inquiries, call 0164-55-9611.

Ski Ground Festival
in Winter
Auberge Mashike

For inquiries, call 0164-53-2222.

Auberge Mashike opened in 2009 as a spa andaccommodation facilities where visitors canenjoy food. The concept of Auberge Mashike ischisan-chisho, local production for local
consumption. Auberge Mashike is establishedand run under the supervision of Kiyomi
Mikuni, the famous French cuisine chef bornin Mashike. The auberge is located near the
Shokanbetsu River, where salmon breed, andthe Sea of Japan. Behind the auberge is Mount
Shokanbetsu. The main baths have a thoron
spa and sauna. Day-trippers are also welcome.

This festival is held toenjoy winter. You canplay on a jumbo slide,drive a snowmobile,
watch or join in a fancy
dress ski performanceand play games on thesnow.

Salmon and other fresh seafood are sold at
low prices. Apples, Japanese pears, grapes
and other fruits are also sold, filling thefestival with harvests of the soil and sea.