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

By TRAVELER Luxe / Wei
 

Departing from Otaru in Hokkaido, drive along the “Shakotan Blue Road” on the north coast toward Shakotan Peninsula – kayak into the mysterious Blue Cave at Yama-no-Tani Coast, explore the magnificent Japanese Top 100 Beaches and natural heritage sites, and let yourself roam freely amidst the boundless expanse of blue, savoring the tranquil summer seaside moments alongside historic port town relics and freshly caught seafood from local fishermen.

Paddle a kayak to explore the Blue Cave

Discover the renowned Shakotan Blue, starting at Yama-no-Tani Coast on the northern outskirts of Otaru City. Amidst the endless blue of sea and sky, take a kayak and paddle along a scarcely traveled maritime route to explore the hidden Blue Cave beneath towering cliffs.

Under the bright blue sky, the sea and sky at Yama-no-Tani Coast merge into a brilliant blue, with golden sunlight casting shimmering ripples across the gentle waves. Before you lies a spectacular coastal landscape, where precipitous cliffs rise sharply from the sea like carved stone, creating a breathtaking contrast with the calm and tranquil blue waters. Eager to embrace this endless blue? There’s no better activity than coastal kayaking. Based at Yama-no-Tani Coast, the coastal kayak school “シ0??浈氓?攻??爰/p>

The visitor center shares a venue with “North Hotel Otaru Embuhai-kan”, and a small corner warehouse stores various equipment such as kayak paddles, life jackets, and waterproof bags, while four kayaks are parked on the snow-white beach. Today, we’ll experience the popular program “Blue Cave Tour” at the visitor center, heading to the famous Yama-no-Tani Coast attraction – the Blue Cave. Mr. Ogata demonstrated how to operate the kayak, including paddle strokes and using the pedal-controlled rudder, all very simple and beginner-friendly. The waters around Yama-no-Tani Coast are generally calm with minimal wind and waves, making it safe even for beginners. After a brief practice session, we set out to sea from Ninosato Bay, heading east past Yama-no-Tani Cape toward the Blue Cave.
 
Road trip to discover Shakotan Blue

Explore the famed “Shakotan Blue” of the Shakotan Peninsula’s coastal waters. Drive westward along the highway, listen to the old tales of whisky distilleries and fishing huts, visit Japanese Top 100 Beaches and Hokkaido Heritage Sites, and amid the stunning seascapes, feel the enduring coexistence of people and sea throughout Shakotan’s past and present.