Travel / Tourism Spots in Onuma / Matsumae / Esashi Area

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Onuma / Matsumae / Esashi

Category

Travel / Tourism

Onuma

Travel / Tourism

Nanae-cho Kameda-gun, Hokkaido

Onuma Quasi-National Park, which is located around 15 minutes' drive from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station on the Hokkaido Shinkansen Line, consists of three lakes-Onuma, Konuma and Junsainuma-with a total of 126 small islands in them. There are bridges linking the small islands in Onuma Lake and Konuma Lake, so visitors can enjoy strolling across the lakes while admiring the beautiful scenery and the many different flowers and plants. There are regular boat services on the lakes, which provide even better views. Onuma is famous as being one of the best places in Hokkaido to view autumn foliage; Kogetsu Bridge, with its superb views of Mt. Komagatake, is a particularly popular spot for this. In the winter, the lakes are almost completely frozen over; at this time of year visitors can enjoy riding snowmobiles, sledging, and watching swans.
Hokkaido Sunrise Tower

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Hiyamagunkaminokunichou Kachiyama

"A tower located in Katsuyama, Kaminokuni Town, Hiyama County, Hokkaido Prefecture. This symbolic tower was erected to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Kaminokuni and is 800 ""sun"" tall (= 24.24 meters). Designed based on the theme of the exchange between humankind and nature, the tower consists of a double tier of octagonal pyramids. The earthen base ""Sun Plaza"" has a walking path with markings indicating the direction of the sun when it rises on the summer and winter solstices and the fall and spring equinoxes."
Cape Benkei

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Suttsugunsuttsuchou Masadomarichou Benkei

A cape situated along National Route 229 in Masadomari-cho, Suttsu Town, Suttsu County, Hokkaido Prefecture. According to legend, the warrior monk Benkei stood here waiting for reinforcements when his lord, the samurai Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune, crossed into Ezo (now Hokkaido). Today, a statue of Benkei stands on the cape. A scenic area from which visitors can enjoy a view of the setting sun, the cape can also be used as a fishing spot.
Aobagaoka Park

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Kayabe-gun Morimachi Kiyozumicho 12

This park was established in 1914, and is planted with about 1,000 cherry trees of 17 types, including Yoshino cherries. The Sakura festival held every May since 1950 brings about 100,000 visitors to this famous cherry blossom spot every year.
Higureyama Observatory

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Kameda-gun Nanaecho Nishi Onuma

"An observatory situated at the top of Higureyama. The mountain's name translates to ""Sunset Mountain,"" a reference to the fantastic view visible from the top, which is said to be so beautiful, climbers who reach it lose track of the time and find the sun setting before they notice. This picturesque destination's panoramic view spans from Lake Onuma and Lake Konuma to Hokkaido-Komagatake."
Lake Onuma/Lake Konuma Walking Path

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Kameda-gun Nanaecho Onumacho

This walking path is located in Onuma Park Plaza, the entranceway to Onuma Quasi-National Park, a park where visitors can come in contact with the great outdoors of Hokkaido through its various lakes and marshes, small islands, swamps, forest, flora and fauna, and majestic Hokkaido-Komagatake. The island-hopping walking path ties together the small islands of Lake Onuma and Lake Konuma like a net. On the nature trail course, visitors can hear the whispers of the forest and the chatter of small birds while observing the activities of the plants and animals which make their home here. Visitors might even encounter Hokkaido squirrels and other small animals. There are four other courses in total, including a bright and open short walking course and a course which primarily consists of islands and bridges, enabling visitors to choose which to take based on the time they have available and their level of physical fitness.
Lourdes Cave

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Hokuto-shi Mitsuishi 392

A statue of the Virgin Mary, standing in the grounds of the Trappist Monastery, the first male Catholic monastery in Japan. The statue is enshrined in a carved rock face, recreating the Lourdes Cave, a French pilgrimage site. While making your way along the undulating mountain path to the cave you can enjoy the avenues of poplar and cedar trees and scenery unique to Hokkaido. The site of the cave is also famous as an observatory and on a fine day you may be able to see across the ocean to Mt. Hakodate or Aomori prefecture.
Ubagami Dai-jingu Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Hiyama-gun Esashicho Ubagamicho 99

"This is shrine in Esashi Town is Hokkaido's oldest. It is said to have been founded in the Kamakura period, and has gathered the faith of fishermen as the founder of herring fishing. Old women of Orii are worshiped at the shrine. The shrine is famous for its lucky charms or ""Nishin-Mikuji"" fortune slips unique to the town that flourished with herring fishing and the fine goshuin red seal. One of Hokkaido 's three major festivals, ""Ubagami Daijingu Togyo Festival"", is held in August every year, and 13 gorgeous floats are walked through the town. The Togyo Festival prays for good harvest, good fishing, and good health, and is designated as Hokkaido heritage."
Former Hiyama Nishi County Government Office, Esashi Town Historical Museum

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Hiyama-gun Esashicho Nakautacho 112

"This building was erected in 1887 to house a branch of the Hokkaido government and operated as the county office, and a police station. It is currently used as the Esashi Town Historical Museum and has been designated as a tangible cultural property of Hokkaido. Nearby is the ""Pine Tree of Grief"", a tree that Hijikata Toshizo is said to have struck in anguish when he saw the grounded ship ""Kaiyomaru"""
Hokke-ji Temple

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Hiyama-gun Esashicho Honcho 71

"This is a temple in Hamanaka Town, Akkeshi, Hokkaido. It is one of the few ancient temples in Hokkaido, located in a vast land with flower wetlands. It was founded in Kaminokuni in 1521 and transferred to Esashi and reconstructed in 1668. The main temple building was erected five years later. The temple preserves artworks of high cultural value such as Buddhist paintings and folding screens. Highlights are the Sanmon gate with a history of more than 300 years, a large tree that is several hundred years old, and the ""Happo-nirami Dragon"" drawn on the seven-meter square ceiling of the main hall. The appearance of the picture of the dragon in the darkness is stunning."
Teramachi

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Matsumaegunmatsumaechou Matsushiro

Fukuyama Castle (Matsumae Castle) was the last traditional Japanese-style castle to be built in Japan. Between the castle and the nearby hill, there was originally a temple district with around 15 individual temples (positioned so as to provide spiritual protection for the castle). However, during the fighting that accompanied the Meiji Restoration, most of these temples were burnt down, and today only five remain. Full of cherry blossom in spring, and autumn foliage in fall, this area still has a real traditional “castle town” atmosphere.
Cape Saraki Tulip Garden

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Kamisogunkikonaichou Kamekawa 55

A tulip garden on Cape Saraki famous for its 50 thousand tulips spanning 80 varieties which bloom from April to May each year. Long ago, the Kanrin-maru, the vessel statesman Katsu Kaishu took to the United States, sank near here. The garden got its start when Matsumoto Yoshiyuki, then chairman of the Dutch-Hokkaido Persons Association, learned of this event and purchased and planted tulips, the national flower of the country where the Kanrin-maru was built, to honor the ship's meritorious service and achievements. A Tulip Fair is held in spring and many tourists come here to see the colorful tulips.
Misogi Beach Observation Deck

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Kamisogunkikonaichou Maehama

A famous spot within walking distance of Kikonai Station on the Hokkaido Shinkansen. Misogi Beach is easily identified by its large torii gate; from this excellent observation spot, you can get a sweeping view of the Tsugaru Strait and Mt. Hakodate and even all the way to the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture. During the Kanchu Misogi-sai, a traditional event held at Samegawa-jinja Shrine from January 13 to 15, this area is used for a purification ritual conducted to pray for good fish catches and harvests for the coming year-during the ceremony, four participants jump into the freezing cold ocean to purify an object of worship. A monument dedicated to this event also stands on the observation deck.
Roadside Station Kaminokuni Monju

Transportation

Hokkaido Hiyamagunkaminokunichou Harauta 3

A roadside station in Kaminokuni Town offering a sweeping view of the Sea of Japan. The beautiful view was awarded gold in HokkaidoWalker's picturesque scenery category. Black silica is a natural ore produced only in Kaminokuni Town which releases far infrared rays and negative ions, providing a warming effect on the body, and here at Roadside Station Kaminokuni Monju you can purchase health goods using this ore as well as its processed form, cera silica, such as cera silica bath pebbles and necklaces. You can also buy marine products like arabesque greenling and rock nori, farm products like cloud ear and shiitake mushrooms, fruit pork, and more. In the station's restaurant, you can enjoy Godzilla shrimp seafood rice bowls stuffed with seafood and other delicious meals while looking out over the sea.
854 Cruise

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Kamisogunshiriuchichou Kotanishi 99-8

854CRUISE (Yago Cruise) explores the Yago coastal area. The highpoint of the cruise, the blue grotto, was only given approval for access by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, after one year of negotiations. To be enveloped in the shimmering color of the deep blue water cave is truly a mesmerizing experience. Depending on the timing, visitors may encounter wild birds, dolphins or other creatures. The small tour boat, Yoshitsune, allows for a close dynamic experience with nature that is almost a tangible experience. (reservations required)
Inishie Kaido Street

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Hiyamagunesashichou Nakautachou

Located in Esashi Town, Hiyama County, Hokkaido, this atmospheric and scenic roadway was created by refurbishing the area along the old national highway. Esashi Town prospered from the 17th century through the trade of hinoki cypress and herring. Many of the historical buildings that remained from the end of the Edo period to the end of the Taisho period were preserved, reproduced, or restored. The street was completed in 2005 and opened as a tourist spot where visitors can enjoy the scenery at their leisure. Being able to take a stroll today and see this historical diversity in one place is very special.
Kaminokunikan, and Katsuyamakan Historic Site Information Center

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Hiyamagunkaminokunichou Kachiyama

This is a national historic site preserved in Kaminokuni Town, Hiyama County. Incorporated in this military outpost of the ancestral Japanese, are the vestiges of the three historic Hanazawa structure, the Suzaki structure, and the Katsuyama structure. Among them the Katsuyamakan is described in Japanese History textbooks as an important historic site telling of the medieval north, providing insight into the life and trade on the Japan Sea northern regions during medieval times. The Katsuyama Historic Site Information Center guides one through informative models and video-graphic descriptions of the Katsuyama site. There is an observation path where one can canvas the structures and get a sense of the people's lives while enjoying a walk.
Esashi Bay Marina (Esashi Umi no Eki Kaiyomaru)

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Hiyamagunesashichou Ubagamichou 1-10

Located approximately one hour and 30 minutes away from Hakodate by car, this exhibition facility is the live-sized replica of the Kaiyo Maru, a Tokugawa shogunate battleship that sunk off the coast of Esashi in 1868. It exhibits approximately 3,000 artifacts and valuable materials salvaged from the excavation of the undersea ruins that began from 1975, more than 100 years after it sunk. There are many interested items, such as the appearance of the crew and the shogunate Vice Admiral Takeaki Enomoto, cannons, pistols, medical supplies and eating utensils. Besides experience corners where you can launch cannons, do a simulation maneuvering a ship and one in preservation, there is also somewhere to get a bite to eat.
Ao no Cave

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Kamiiso-gun Shiriuchicho
EPUY Botanical Garden

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Kameda-gun Nanaecho Onumacho

Hokkaido Onuma / Matsumae / Esashi

Travel / Tourism

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Hokkaido Areas

Not just a prefecture but an island of its own, Hokkaido is the most northerly prefecture and island of the Japanese archipelago. Arriving in Hokkaido, which is rural and bursting with breathtaking nature, means entering a world where vast national parks, towering mountains, and natural hot springs can be found at every turn. Come December, these natural splendors freeze over and morph into a winter wonderland.