The greatly-curved Tokachi Coast (十勝海岸) along the Pacific Ocean is quiet and off-the-beaten-track, stretched out from Hiroo to Urahoro, dotted with brackish marshes, lonely dunes and wildflower gardens. The whole area has become a prime destination for local anglers, countless fishing rods stand on the sandy beaches and fishing ports. In winter, photogenic ‘jewelry ice’ washes onto Otsu.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Location (Otsu) 50km southeast of Obihiro
Highlights Otsu Coast (in winter), Konbukariishi, Chobushi-ko, Yudo-ko
01 SCENIC ROAD
Konbukariishi
昆布刈石 / Konbukariishi, Urahoro-cho
Traveling on Route 336 from Otsu to the eastward and passes the sleepy fishing village of Tokachibuto (十勝太), you will find a signpost for the scenic coastal gravel road of Konbukariishi on the right side. From the Konbukariishi Viewpoint (昆布刈石展望台), you can overlooking the wonderful ocean and winding road.
02 COAST & JEWELRY ICE
Otsu Coast
大津海岸 / Otsu-Motomachi, Toyokoro-cho
From late January to late February, clusters of clear ‘jewelry ice’ washes onto Otsu’s vast sandy coast near the mouth of Tokachi-gawa. They are flows from the river and shines in the morning sun (6.30am to 7am). The coast is cold in winter (lowest averages -15C), so dress warmly.
There is no accommodation in Otsu and you can’t do a day trip by bus from Toyokoro, but Obihiro’s tour agents offer bus or taxi tours for Otsu.
03 LAKES
Tokachi Coast’s Four Lakes
Route 336 is connected by lonely roads to Horokayan-to (ホロカヤントー), Oikamanai-numa (生花苗沼), Yudo-ko (湧洞湖: road closed from December to late April) and Chobushi-ko (長節湖).
04 ONSEN & SLEEPING
Bansei Onsen
晩成温泉 / 2 Bansei, Taiki-cho / 8am-9pm, from 9pm Oct-Mar / Closed Tue Oct-Mar / ¥500
Set on a coastal hill overlooking the ocean, Bansei Onsen is remote but attractive location near Horokayan-to and Oikamanai-numa. It also has a shokudo (11am-2pm & 4-8pm) that serves the cheese-salmon-don. A free shuttle bus runs from the Michi-no-eki Cosmall Taiki (道の駅コスモール大樹) on Thursday and Sunday at 10.05am.
This Onsen operates the budget accommodation Bansei-no-yado (晩成の宿) across the building. It looks like a school and has budget tatami-mat rooms. Prices include a day bathing ticket. Check-in is available in the onsen reception.
TOKACHI COAST MAP
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Driving on the Tokachi Coast
DISTANCE 90km | DURATION 3.5 HOURS | TIMING MAY – OCT
START: Michi-no-eki Churui & Naumann Onsen Arco 236
↓20km (25min) by car
04 Bansei Onsen (Day Bathing)
↓ 800m (3min) by car
03 Horokayan-to
↓ 2.5km (7min) by car
03 Oikamanai-numa (B&G Land Foundation)
↓ 25km (30min) by car
03 Yudo-ko
↓ 22km (22min) by car
03 Chobushi-ko
↓ 10km (7min) by car
02 Otsu Coast
↓ 19km (25min) by car
FINISH: 01 Konbukariishi Viewpoint
GETTING THERE
There is no useful public transport for the coast, your own wheel will allow you to explore the area.
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