Jutting out into the Sea of Japan, the Shakotan Peninsula is known for its jewel-like waters called “Shakotan Blue,” dramatic cliffs, and striking rock formations. A scheduled sightseeing bus is the perfect way to enjoy this scenic coastal area.
This tour visits three spots in Shakotan: Cape Kamui, Misaki no Yu Shakotan, and Shimamui Coast.
Cape Kamui sits at the northwestern tip of the Shakotan Peninsula, offering sweeping views of the open sea. Take in the rugged, majestic cape as it extends into the sparkling water beneath the autumn sky.
After viewing Cape Kamui, enjoy lunch and a bath in the hot springs at Misaki no Yu Shakotan. Lunch features a hamanabe seafood hot pot prepared with plenty of seasonal seafood, perfect for warming up after the cool autumn sea breeze. After lunch, relax in the hot spring while gazing out over the vast sea.
Once you have warmed up to the core, continue to Shimamui Coast. Selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Beaches, this scenic site is reached by passing through a 30-meter tunnel once used to transport herring. When you emerge from the dark tunnel, the emerald-green sea opens up before you in a truly breathtaking view.
Two more highlights are Roadside Station Space Apple Yoichi on the outbound route and Tanaka Sake Brewery Kikkogura on the return route. Roadside Station Space Apple Yoichi is popular for its apple pies made with Yoichi-grown apples and its creamy soft-serve ice cream. At Tanaka Sake Brewery Kikkogura, you can shop for local Otaru sake and enjoy tastings.
This course follows a varied and dramatic coastline, making the scenery from the bus window part of the journey itself. Enjoy the spectacular views at each stop on a comfortable scheduled sightseeing bus tour.
Category Archives: 秋の北海道を楽しむコース
Drive along the deepening autumn coast and enjoy a hot spring bath!
A journey through the lakes and mountains of the Toya and Noboribetsu area in autumn
Noboribetsu Jigokudani Valley, Lake Toya & Usuzan Ropeway Autumn Tour (Lunch Included)(Excluding Multilingual Audio System)
When Hokkaido’s long winter arrives, the landscape turns into a world of silver-white snow. Just before that season begins, set out on a late-autumn journey to some of the best sights in the Toya and Noboribetsu area. Feel the end of the green season and the coming of winter in the crisp air.
After departing Sapporo Station, the first stop is the roadside station Boyo Nakayama, located at the top of Nakayama Pass. It is also a scenic viewpoint with views of Mt. Yotei. Its local specialty is ageimo, deep-fried potato balls that sell around 300,000 servings a year and have remained a bestseller for more than 50 years.
Next, visit Silo Observatory at Lake Toya. Here, enjoy lunch and a sweeping panoramic view of Lake Toya from above. Lunch features Kitano Kaisen Nabe, a hearty hot pot filled with seafood. The special miso soup is rich with the flavor of the seafood, and can be enjoyed to the very last drop with udon noodles added at the end.
After lunch, take an aerial ride on the Usuzan Ropeway and enjoy the magnificent scenery shaped by nature from the mountaintop terrace and walking trails. You may also visit Showa-Shinzan Bear Ranch as an optional activity. Watch the bears playing and relaxing, or try feeding them yourself.
The final highlight of this course is Noboribetsu Jigokudani Valley. This massive explosion crater was formed by volcanic activity, and the sight of volcanic gas and steam rising from the rugged rock surface truly lives up to its name, “Hell Valley.” A wide variety of hot spring waters that make up the Noboribetsu Onsen area gush from this site, totaling 10,000 tons per day. Walk through the sulfur-scented valley and experience the power of the earth with all five senses.
Hokkaido’s autumn, tucked between its long summer and winter, passes in the blink of an eye. Yet this season offers many sights found only at this time of year, from autumn foliage and clear skies to trees shedding more leaves with each passing day. Set out on a bus journey and enjoy the atmosphere of late autumn.
