Discovering Shakotan Blue at Hokkaido's Cape Kamui
Experience the awe-inspiring Shakotan Blue from Cape Kamui on day two of your Hokkaido journey. Discover unique marine life and stunning coastal scenery.
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Experience the awe-inspiring Shakotan Blue from Cape Kamui on day two of your Hokkaido journey. Discover unique marine life and stunning coastal scenery.
Day 2 of the Package Tour
On the way to Cape Kamui,
we briefly stopped for a restroom break and
ended up visiting a souvenir shop.
They sold ice cream and souvenirs,
but here's what was really unique!!!
An aquarium, inside a souvenir shop???
Full of giant oysters and scallops!!
Cape Kamui
Where you can witness the Shakotan Blue at Cape Kamui
The Shakotan Peninsula is located in Hokkaido's
northwestern region,
and it once thrived on herring fishing.
The Shakotan Peninsula is situated within a national park,
and the Shakotan Sea is designated as the only marine park
of its kind.
Today, we visited Cape Kamui, one of the Shakotan Peninsula's most spectacular scenic spots.
Cape Kamui
Following the ridge of the cape
along the walking trail,
a walk of about 30 minutes
will take you all the way to the tip of the cape.
There, you'll be greeted by sheer cliffs and
the emerald blue sea, famously known as the 'Shakotan Blue',
stretching out before your eyes.
Kamui Restaurant, Restrooms, Parking Lot
The free parking lot and restrooms are
clean, spacious,
and well-maintained.
From Sapporo Station,
since there's no longer a direct express bus,
you can come by rental car,
day tour bus,
or
take a bus from Otaru Station.
The path is quite narrow and steep,
and puddles can form when it rains,
so sneakers are a must!
The round trip takes about 30-40 minutes.
If strong winds blow or bears appear,
entry is prohibited.
On cloudy or rainy days,
you can't see the Shakotan Blue,
but luckily for us,
there wasn't a single breeze,
and the weather was so perfect,
that we were able to witness the stunning emerald sea!
Isn't it absolutely breathtaking!
You can also explore
on the Shakotan Underwater Observation Boat, the New Shakotan-go.
The path is quite narrow.
If someone comes from the opposite direction,
you'll have to make way for them...
Shimamui Coast
Once you step into the tunnel...
The emerald-hued sea unfolds before your eyes!
Cape Kamui
Nearby,
the Shimamui Kaihan Coast
is one of Japan's Top 100 Beautiful Coasts.
Beyond a narrow tunnel,
the turquoise sea
and impressive rock formations are truly captivating,
making it a popular course
to combine with
Cape Kamui.
Getting there
is almost the same as for Cape Kamui.
If you're using a rental car,
it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Sapporo.
You can just take a quick look and then move on.
Otaru
Lunch, Otaru Music Box Museum, Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street
We've arrived in Otaru!
We came for lunch,
and they had Hokke (Okhotsk Atka Mackerel) set meal, grilled Atka mackerel set meal,
and grilled scallop miso soup.
The scallops were out of this world!
They tasted even better than the Atka mackerel in the Hokke set meal.
Not fishy at all, and so tender.
The Atka mackerel was a bit chewier.
Otaru, a Canal City Full of Romance
Otaru Canal
Otaru is the most accessible
day trip destination
from Sapporo.
From JR Sapporo Station,
if you take the Rapid Airport Express,
it takes about 32 minutes.
On a local train,
it takes about 50 minutes,
and the fare is around 800 JPY one way.
By bus,
Chuo Bus operates a service
which takes about 50 minutes
to 1 hour.
850 JPY.
However, with more frequent services, the JR line is often
the more convenient option for travelers.
Otaru Canal, a prominent landmark of Otaru,
is where the warehouse district from the Taisho era
has been perfectly preserved.
As you stroll along the canal,
you'll also discover cafes and restaurants
that have been renovated from
red brick warehouses.
Music Box Museum
The Otaru Music Box Museum,
a 10-minute walk from the canal,
is considered one of Japan's largest music box specialty stores.
With a wide variety of music box designs on display,
you can even customize your own unique music box.
The steam clock in front of the building
is also a popular photo spot.
Directly connected to this,
Sakaimachi Street
is Otaru's famous shopping and sweets street.
Here you'll find not only the Music Box Museum but also
glass art shops,
cheesecake specialty stores,
like LeTAO.
This street, lined with all sorts of souvenir shops,
is perfect for strolling and enjoying snacks.
It's also the part of the Otaru travel itinerary
where you'll likely spend
the most time.
The Otaru glass workshops found on this street
have a fascinating history,
tracing their glass-making techniques
all the way back to Hokkaido's pioneering era
when they created buoys for the fishing industry.
Beyond just admiring
the finished glass products,
there are also many experiential workshops
where you can try glassblowing yourself
to make cups or accessories,
making them very popular
with couples and families alike.
There were also many restaurants
specializing in Hokkaido's local seafood bowls.
I also had a cup of Yubari melon for ~$6.
It was delicious,
but not quite as sweet as the Yubari melon
sold at Lawson.
Then, at the famous Kitakaro,
I indulged in an ice cream and a cream puff ice cream.
On our way to Jozankei,
we spotted
the 'Mini Mt. Fuji' -
a misty Mount Yotei.
For our accommodation,
we headed to Jozankei View Hotel,
nestled in the Jozankei Onsen village.
Jozankei View Hotel
Jozankei is an onsen (hot spring) village
located approximately 26 km south of Sapporo city center,
about an hour's drive away.
It sits within the Shikotsu-Toya National Park,
nestled in a nature-rich valley,
and attracts around
2.4 million visitors annually.
The hot spring waters gushing forth from Jozankei Onsen
are characterized as colorless, transparent,
and slightly salty sodium chloride springs.
They are described as neutral, hypotonic, high-temperature springs.
They are said to be beneficial for fatigue recovery,
improving sensitivity to cold,
moisturizing and soothing skin,
alleviating muscle pain, joint pain, and neuralgia,
and improving blood circulation.
・By car:
Approximately 80 minutes from New Chitose Airport
If departing from Sapporo Station or Susukino:
・By bus:
Sapporo Station → Bus (Sightseeing Express Kappa Liner 60 min, Local bus 80 min) → Jozankei Onsen
・By car:
Approximately 50 minutes from Sapporo city center
For staying guests,
a free shuttle bus service is also available by reservation,
departing from Sapporo Station's North Exit.
So even if you don't have a rental car...
Heads up, explorers!
It seems they mostly accept reservations via phone in advance!
You can make your reservations up to a week beforehand.
Imagine soaking in the grand bath on the hotel's top floor,
gazing out at the breathtaking four-season tapestry of Jozankei Valley!
Plus, with an indoor water park and a fantastic buffet restaurant,
it's a huge hit with families looking for a complete getaway...
Now, everything else was great, but I have to be honest –
there was quite a strong smell from the bathroom in the tatami room I stayed in... just a heads-up!
The Room
Tatami Room
Time to slip into a cozy yukata, grab your onsen bag, and wander around!
Dinner & Breakfast
The view? Absolutely stunning!
The sushi was definitely the highlight – so fresh and delicious!
And the beer hit just right!
Though I'm not sure if all the other dishes were equally outstanding.
Be warned though, the lines were incredibly long!
Seriously, there were so many people.
It was quite a challenge to get through the meal.
A little frustrating, to be honest...
The views are simply spectacular,
and there's a wide array of food to choose from.
Seriously, the sushi was so fresh and not fishy at all – utterly delicious!
And the beer was delightful too.
What's more, given its impressive size,
you'll find a swimming pool, hot springs, a club, a bar, karaoke, an arcade, a snack bar, and even a souvenir shop!
Trust me, there's absolutely no chance of getting bored here!
Souvenir Shops & Retail Area
Dishes, chopsticks
Shiroi Koibito sweets
Hokkaido cosmetics
Ramen
Ice cream
You'll find a wide variety of beers, and so much more!
Hot Springs, Grand Bath & Sauna
You'll find them on the B1 and B2 floors of the Main Building,
and up on the 16th floor of the New Wing.
There's even a sauna to complete the experience.
I soaked in the hot springs here,
and the water was wonderfully refreshing and invigorating!
Weekdays
Main Bath / 5:00 AM – 9:30 AM, 2:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Open-air Bath / 5:00 AM – 9:30 AM, 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sauna / 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM, 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturdays, Sundays, & Public Holidays
Main Bath / 5:00 AM – 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Open-air Bath / 5:00 AM – 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sauna / 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Travel Course Tips!
For places like Cape Kamui,
and Shimamui Coast,
public transportation options are quite
limited if you're not renting a car.
Your best bet is to opt for a one-day
bus tour or a package deal.
Otaru is super accessible
from Sapporo via JR,
making it perfect for a relaxed
half-day to full-day excursion.
Give yourself plenty of time to soak it all in!
And here's a pro tip:
adding a stay at Jozankei Onsen to your itinerary
allows you to unwind from your travels in luxurious hot springs
before an easy journey back to
Sapporo Airport.
The trail along the ridge of Cape Kamui Misaki takes about 30-40 minutes round trip to the tip of the cape. The path is narrow and steep, and puddles can form when it rains, so wearing athletic shoes is essential.
It takes about 10 minutes to walk from Otaru Canal to the Music Box Museum. The Music Box Museum is Japan's largest specialty store for music boxes, where you can browse a wide variety of designs and even customize your own music box.
The most convenient public transport from Sapporo Station to Otaru is the JR Rapid Airport train. It takes about 32 minutes, and a one-way fare is approximately ~$5. The frequent service makes it a more convenient option for travelers.
Guests of Jozankei View Hotel can use the free shuttle bus departing from Sapporo Station North Exit. This shuttle bus operates by reservation only, and for those visiting without a rental car, advance phone reservations are almost always required and can be made up to a week in advance.
On weekdays, the main bath at Jozankei View Hotel operates from 5:00 AM to 9:30 AM and from 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM. The open-air bath is available from 5:00 AM to 9:30 AM and from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
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