【Traveler’s Tale】Nature’s Call: Breathtaking Landscapes of Hokkaido

By TRAVELER Luxe / Wei
 

Starting from Otaru in Hokkaido, drive along the "Shakotan Blue Road" along the northern coast toward Shakotan Peninsula – canoe down to the mysterious Blue Cave at Yamaishi Coast, explore Japan’s top beaches and natural heritage sites, and let yourself roam free in the vast expanse of boundless blue, while savoring the tranquil coastal summer by the historic port town and freshly caught seafood from local fishermen.

Paddle a canoe to explore the Blue Cave

Visit the famous Shakotan Blue starting from Yamaishi Coast on the northern outskirts of Otaru City. Amidst the endless blue of sea and sky, canoe along a secluded maritime route to discover the hidden Blue Cave beneath towering cliffs.

Under a bright blue sky, the sea and sky at Yamaishi Coast merge into a single expanse of deep blue, with golden sunlight scattering across the waves, sparkling gently on the rippling surface. Before you lies a magnificent coastal landscape, where rugged cliffs rise sharply from the ocean like carved stone, creating an awe-inspiring contrast with the serene and lazy hues of the sea. Want to embrace this stretch of blue? There’s no better activity than coastal canoeing. Based at Yamaishi Coast, the coastal canoeing school “シ0??浈氓?攻??爰/p>

The visitor center shares a venue with “North Hotel Otaru Emmachi Kan,” and a small corner warehouse houses various equipment such as canoe paddles, life jackets, and waterproof bags, with four canoes parked on the snow-white beach. Today, we’ll experience the popular program “Blue Cave Tour” at the visitor center, heading to Yamaishi Coast’s famous attraction, the Blue Cave. Mr. Ogata demonstrated how to operate the canoe, including paddle strokes and using the pedal-operated rudder — very simple and easy to pick up. The waters around Yamaishi Coast are calm with minimal wind and waves, so even beginners can join with peace of mind. After a brief practice, we set out to sea from Ninosato Bay heading east, passing Yamaishi Cape toward the Blue Cave.
 
Road Trip: Exploring the Shakotan Blue

Explore the famed “Shakotan Blue” of the Shakotan Peninsula’s seas, drive westward along the coastal road, hear old tales from whisky distilleries and fishing huts, visit Japan’s Top 100 Beaches and Hokkaido Heritage Sites, and experience the coexistence between humans and the sea through Shakotan’s past and present amid breathtaking seascapes.