[Eastern Hokkaido] Notsuke Peninsula Travel Guide | What is This Extraordinary Scenic Spot?
Here’s a guide to Notsuke Peninsula! Notsuke Peninsula is a sandspit about 26 km long, located at the eastern tip of Hokkaido. It is the longest sandspit in Japan and is registered under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for wetland conservation.
Shaped like a shrimp’s tail, Notsuke Peninsula is home to numerous attractions, including the “Todowara,” a breathtaking area where withered Sakhalin fir trees—eroded by seawater—create a unique, otherworldly landscape.
Let’s take a closer look at the details of Notsuke Peninsula, a must-visit tourist destination in eastern Hokkaido.
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[Eastern Hokkaido] Notsuke Peninsula Travel Guide | What is This Extraordinary Scenic Spot?
Notsuke Peninsula Overview
Notsuke Peninsula is a massive sandspit located in Notsuke District, eastern Hokkaido. A sandspit is a landform created over many years by sand carried by ocean currents, which gradually accumulates into a stretch of land. As mentioned earlier, at 26 km in length, it is one of the largest in Japan.
The peninsula’s most notable attraction is the spectacular view of trees that have died standing due to seawater erosion. This natural artwork, reminiscent of “the ends of the earth,” is a must-see scenic spot.
In addition to Todowara, the peninsula is dotted with many other points of interest. Below are some highlights.
Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center
When visiting Notsuke Peninsula, the first place to head for is the centrally located Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center. This facility provides information about the peninsula’s tourist attractions and history, as well as selling local specialty products.
Not only can you gain knowledge about Notsuke Peninsula itself, but you can also get up-to-date details about sights you may want to explore.
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Todowara
Located in the central area of the peninsula, Todowara is one of Notsuke’s most famous scenic spots. It is the result of continued seawater erosion, leaving behind the haunting silhouettes of withered Sakhalin fir trees.
As mentioned earlier, the view evokes the feeling of “the ends of the earth.” Seawater erosion continues even now, so there’s a strong possibility this exact scenery may not be visible in the future—making it a place you’ll want to capture in photos.
A boardwalk from the Nature Center makes Todowara easily accessible, and from April to October—peak tourist season—a tractor bus operates for visitors’ convenience.
Note: From May to September 2022, the boardwalk connecting the sightseeing boat pier and the observatory is closed to the public.
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Notsuke Peninsula Wildflower Garden
The Notsuke Peninsula Wildflower Garden spans across the peninsula, centering around the Notsukezaki Lighthouse at the eastern tip.
In contrast to the harsh natural landscapes elsewhere on the peninsula, this spot bursts into color with a variety of flora and fauna. From May to September, the walking trails are adorned with plants such as yellow lupines, black lilies, beach peas, and daylilies.
You can walk from the Nature Center to the lighthouse, making it easy to visit alongside Todowara for a well-rounded sightseeing experience.
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Notsuke Bay
Enclosed by Notsuke Peninsula, Notsuke Bay is a shallow body of water, with depths of up to only 5 meters. In early summer and autumn, fishing for Hokkai shrimp takes place here. The shallower areas are home to seaweed beds where these shrimp lay their eggs.
To avoid disturbing these spawning grounds, traditional uchise-bune boats—powered without propellers—are still used today. This method, which dates back to the Meiji era, is one of the cultural traditions and seasonal sights you can witness at Notsuke Bay.
History of Notsuke Peninsula
Notsuke Peninsula has been active as a hub for trade and fishing since the Edo period. There are legends of settlements such as Kiraku, which served as fishing bases where samurai were stationed.
It is said that Kiraku’s roads were paved with stones, and that the town was once prosperous with weapon storehouses and even red-light districts. However, the exact location of these places is unknown, and Kiraku is considered a phantom town that exists only in legend.
Going further back in time, the “Onnikuru Ruins” were discovered in the central part of the peninsula, where pit dwellings once stood. Fossils of mammoths have also been found within the peninsula, suggesting that humans have inhabited the area since ancient times.
How to Access Notsuke Peninsula
The main way to access Notsuke Peninsula is by car, and using a rental car is recommended. First, aim for Route 950, which runs through the central part of the peninsula. Route 950 branches off from National Route 244, making it a good landmark.
From Nemuro, you can reach the peninsula by taking National Route 44 → National Route 243 → National Route 244.
The nearest airport, Nakashibetsu Airport, is 40 km away. From Kushiro, a city in eastern Hokkaido, the peninsula is 134 km away, which takes just over two hours to reach by car.
◎ Summary of Notsuke Peninsula’s Travel Information
Notsuke Peninsula is a tourist destination where you can enjoy traditional fishing methods that have survived to this day, along with breathtaking landscapes shaped by harsh natural conditions. True to Hokkaido’s nature, it is far from the urban areas of eastern Hokkaido, and both its location and scenery feel like the “end of the earth.” Here, you can experience an extraordinary landscape unlike anywhere else in Japan.
When visiting Notsuke Peninsula, it is best to combine it with sightseeing in various other spots in eastern Hokkaido. Since travel times can be long, it’s a good idea to plan your itinerary with plenty of time to spare.
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