Author: Author

Okushiri-to (奥尻島) is Southern Hokkaido’s only inhabited island, with a couple of tranquil beaches, scenic roads, fantastically-shaped rocks and heartwarming hospitality.

Taisei (大成) is the westernmost town of mainland Hokkaido. Kumaishi (熊石) has some peaceful onsen.

In the upper reaches of the Hiyama Coast is the town of Setana (せたな), which boasts rugged coastline, pleasant beaches and one of Japan’s clearest rivers.

The tranquil agricultural town of Assabu (厚沢部) is Japan’s northern limit of hinoki-asunaro (thujopsis) forest.

Otobe (乙部) is popular in summer for its beach and that has attractive geographical features. Gennadai is Hokkaido’s only ‘the 100 best beaches in Japan’.

Kaminokuni (上ノ国) is said that Hokkaido’s first Japanese settlement dates back to 1189.

Northwest of Haboro in the Sea of Japan are the remote pair of tiny islands Teuri-to (天売島) and Yagishiri-to (焼尻島), both fishing hamlets offer unique ecosystems and scenic cycling.

Obira (小平) was also once a herring fishing village. You will find Hokkaido’s largest wooden fishing hut and a pleasant beach.

Shosanbetsu’s Misakidai Park is a good place to stopover or spend for one night a journey.

At the mouth of Japan’s forth-longest river Teshio-gawa, this town was one of Northern Hokkaido’s major trading posts until the early 20th-century.

The main reason to visit Haboro (羽幌) is to catch the ferry to Teuri-to and Yagishiri-to islands. Central Haboro occupies a grid of streets with a few modesty sights.