Muroran

Located in southwestern Hokkaido, on a peninsula at the entrance to Uchiura Bay, Muroran runs along the coast and takes up most of the peninsula area. The southwestern coast of the peninsula is formed of huge 100 m cliffs and faces Uchiura Bay, while southeastern coast of the peninsula faces the Pacific Ocean. The sea port which is surrounded by the Etomo Peninsula is located in the eastern part of Volcano Bay. The main train station is located close to the port area and whale watching tours can be booked in this area. Other sites can easily be accessed from the main station or from stations along the JR Muroran line.

PLACES WE SHOULD VISIT .…

Cape Chikyu (Chikyu Misaki - Cape Earth) // Cape Chikyu is located at the southern end of Muroran City and is a beautiful scenic area. Residing on the cape approximately 120 m above sea level, there is a 310 000 candlepower lighthouse, large observatory, hiking trails and parking lots. From the observatory on clear days it is possible to see Mt. Komagatake, Cape Esan, and the Shimokita Peninsula. This area is a particular favorite with Japanese to view the first sunrise of the new year which is considered significant in Japan. Located about halfway along the Cape Chikyu hiking course is Charatsunai Beach which is home to Japan’s only seaweed research facility run by Hokkaido University.

Cape Etomo // Cape Etomo is the ending point to Etomo Peninsula and is home to a seaside park and recreation area. From the peninsula, it is possible to see Mt. Usu, Mt. Showa, Mt. Yohtei, the Oshima Peninsula and Cape Esan. Within the park there is a walking path about One kilometer long. The walking path has a nice view of Hakucho Bridge, Daikoku Island and the sea. This area was also the location of an Ainu fort that was said to be impenetrable due to its system of trenches and location behind the cliffs. However, today all that remains is a monument to the Ainu People.

Dolphin and Whale Watching Tours // Hokkaido is one of the premier areas in Japan to go whale and dolphin watching. Muroran is well situated to view the whales on their annual migration through Volcano Bay. There are plenty of sightseeing boats available during the the summer months from about the end of April to the middle of August.

Itanki Beach // Itanki Beach located along the coast from Muroran is famous for it’s special “singing sand”. The sand makes a very distinct sound when it is walked over. This gives the beach a popular image as being clean. Surfers are also regular visitors to this area as there are many good surf days to be had here.

Kin-Byobu & Gin-Byobu (Gold & Silver Cliffs) // Kin-Byobu is a cliff face located near Cape Chikyu (Chikyu Misaki - Cape Earth). This cliff face is comprised of reddish brown rock that when viewed in the the morning sunshine presents itself in a beautiful golden color. In Japanese it is thought to resemble a golden paper screen, thus gaining it’s name. Similarly, Gin-Byobu is also a large cliff face located at the southern end of Etomo Peninsula which appears silver in the morning light.

Masuichi Beach // Masuichi Beach is located about about halfway between Mt. Sokuryo and Gin-Byobu. It can be reached via the Cape Chikyu sightseeing trail. This area is characterized by unusual rock formations and is also a designated wildlife sanctuary where various species of birds nest (Cuckoos, Falcons and Bush Warblers to name a few.) From the beach area it is also possible to see Mt. Komagatake on the other side of Volcano Bay.

Mt. Muroran Park // Created for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike this recreational park is situated at the base of Mt Muroran and is at an altitude of over 900 meters. the recreation grounds include an overnight training facility with gymnasium, camping grounds, tennis courts and a park golf course. The area becomes a small ski hill, for beginner to intermediates, during the winter months.

Mt. Sokuryo // Mt Sokuryo was named after it was used as a base point by an American engineer helping to construct roads between Sapporo and Muroran in the 1870’s. The mountain commands an excellent view of the surroundings and has an observation deck on top of it along with several brightly lit transmitter towers. The view takes in Muroran city, Mt. Showa Shinzan, Mt. Usu and Mt. Yotei and is particularly beautiful at night.

Muroran Aquarium // Muroran Aquarium is home to some 4 000 plus specimens (approximately 150 different species) of sea life, kept in 46 tanks. The aquarium has examples of both freshwater and salt water fish and other sea creatures that live in the waters off of Hokkaido and Honshu. There are also other sea animals including seals, penguins and sea lions. There are animal shows and various other facilities to keep everyone in the family happy.

Tokkarisho Scenic Area // This area is famous purely for its natural beauty. The area is comprised of many grass covered cliffs, Itanki Beach and the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The word Tokkarisho is derived from the Ainu language meaning “many stone seal” and indeed some of the rock formations resemble the sea life. The area has been featured as the backdrop to many Japanese television drama and movies.