Listed as a Unesco Global Geopark in 2015, the small fishing town of Samani (様似) has a variety of unusual terrains from the scenic coastlines to the flower mountains. It is worth spending a half day for explore the town en route to the cape Erimo-misaki.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Location 140km southeast of Tomakomai via Shizunai (60km), 37km northwest of Erimo-misaki
Population 4000
Highlights View from Enrumu-misaki and Kannon-yama Viewpoint, Oyako-iwa Fureai Beach
Tourist Information Samani Tourist Information Center (様似観光案内所): Tel 0146-36-2551 / Inside JR Samani Station / 8.30am-4.30pm Apr-Dec / Closed Mon-Thu Nov-Dec / www.apoi-geopark.jp/english
ORIENTATION
The coastal town center can be easily explore on foot from JR Samani Station. Samani Hakkei Footpath (様似八景フットパス: 10km / 3hrs) traces the eight attractive views and sights.
01 SCENIC CAPE
Enrumu-misaki
エンルム岬 / Kaisho-machi / 24hrs
The 70m-high rocky pointed cape of Enrumu-misaki juts from the fishing port. Panoramic views of the ocean and mountains can be had from the viewpoint. You can walk around the cape shore at low tide.
02 TEMPLE
Toju-in
等澍院 / 11-4 Shiomidai / 9am-5pm / FREE / tojuin.jimdo.com
This temple was established in 1806 by the Edo shogunate, close to the natural harbor. The 1811 small wooden Goma-do was rebuilt in 1965. Today the 2006 new main temple building (hondo) on a hillside is open to the public. Friendly chief priest will guide you inside the temple.
03 SCENIC VIEWPOINT
Kannon-yama Viewpoint
観音山展望台 / 2 Shiomidai / 24hrs
Several kilometers west of Samani Station is the small mountain of Kannon-yama (101m), where there is a nicest ocean view from the viewpoint. Trout lilies and corydalis ambiguas bloom from late April to mid May.
04 BEACH & CAMPING
Oyako-iwa Fureai Beach
親子岩ふれあいビーチ / Nishi-machi / Beach Jul-early Sep, Campsite late Jun-late Sep / Check-in by 5pm / No Wi-Fi
Hidaka’s best sandy beach on the west of the town overlooks the legendary Oyako-iwa (parent-child rocks) glowing in the sunset. The campsite (¥600 per person) has free cold showers and a kitchen. Pick up snacks or boxed lunch from a nearby convenience store.
SAMANI MAP
GETTING THERE & AROUND
Currently the trains on the JR Hidaka Line from Tomakomai end in Mukawa (30min). Alternative JR buses run between Mukawa and Samani (4 daily / 4hrs) with require a change at Shizunai on the Thoroughbred Road Hidaka. All rail tickets are available on a bus.
A few JR buses from Samani Station continue to Hiroo (1hr 50min) in Southern Tokachi via Apoi Sanso (8min) and Erimo-misaki (1hr).
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