When you hear the name Cape Erimo, many people probably have Shinichi Mori's song playing in their minds.

Cape Erimo, located at the southernmost tip of the Hidaka Mountains, often called the backbone of Hokkaido, offers magnificent natural scenery and is also famous as a habitat for harbor seals.

In addition, Cape Erimo boasts numerous tourist attractions such as a pure white lighthouse and the Wind Museum, as well as many souvenir shops and restaurants selling fresh seafood. It's a perfect spot that has all the essential elements for a trip: nature, sightseeing, food, and souvenirs.

<Contents>
1. What is Cape Erimo?
2. Highlights of Cape Erimo
3. Seals of Cape Erimo
4. Take a short trip to Heartlake.
5. Shops and Restaurants at Cape Erimo
6. Points of interest on the way to Cape Erimo
7. Access to Cape Erimo

Cape Erimo is located in Erimo-cho, Horozumi-gun, Hokkaido, and is situated at the southernmost tip of the Hidaka Mountains, which stretch for approximately 150 km and are often called the backbone of Hokkaido.

Image provided by: Erimo Town Hall
Cape Erimo is famous for its very strong winds and the frequent fog from spring to summer, which occurs when the warm Kuroshio Current (Japan Current) and the cold Kuril Current collide offshore. The cape is about 60 meters high, and the rocky reefs extend for about 2 kilometers from its tip, offering magnificent natural beauty. In 2010, it was designated a national cultural property, "Place of Scenic Beauty Pirika-Noka (Beautiful Shape)."

Image provided by: Erimo Town Hall

Cape Erimo is also famous as a spot to watch the first sunrise of the year, and every year many tourists visit to admire the magnificent sunrise rising from the tip of the rocky reef. In addition, the nearby "Kaze no Yakata" (Wind Museum) facility opens temporarily on the morning of New Year's Day, and you can also enjoy the view from the observation room inside the building.

・A fun facility where you can experience the wind of Cape Erimo: "The Wind Museum"

Image provided by: Erimo Town Hall

The "Wind Museum," a tourist attraction located in an area famous for its strong winds, is built underground, as shown in the image above, so as not to obstruct the light of the nearby Cape Erimo Lighthouse.

Image provided by: Erimo Town Hall

You can also access the observation deck at Cape Erimo from inside the building. Near the observation deck, there is a monument to the song "Cape Erimo," which became famous thanks to Shinichi Mori's song, and there is also a walking path that leads from the observation deck to the tip of the cape.

While you can reach the observation deck without going through the Wind Museum, on windy days, it's recommended to go through it to get to the observation deck. Alternatively, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Cape Erimo from inside the museum without having to go outside (see bottom image), which is also a great option.

Image provided by: Erimo Town Hall

The museum features numerous exhibits related to wind (top left image), and in the interactive corner (bottom image), visitors can experience winds as strong as 25 meters per second, so strong that it's difficult to stand upright. Additionally, the museum's theater (top right image) screens "The Cape Where Seals Live," a film shot by nature photographer Eiichi Kurasawa, where visitors can learn about the ecology of the harbor seals that inhabit Cape Erimo in large numbers.

Cape Erimo "Wind Museum"
Location: 366-3 Toyo, Erimo-cho, Horozumi-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：01466-3-1133
Opening hours: September, October, November, March, April 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
April to October 5:8 to 9:00
Closed days: December, January, and February (However, open from 5:00 to 8:00 on January 1st, the day of the first sunrise of the year).
Admission fee: Adults and university students: 300 yen; Elementary, junior high, and high school students: 200 yen; Infants: Free

Image provided by: Cliff Kayaks

The area around Cape Erimo in Erimo Town is famous as one of Japan's leading habitats for harbor seals. Harbor seals, belonging to the genus Psathyrina in the family Phocidae, are the only seal species that permanently resides along the Japanese coast. They give birth on rocky areas rather than on the ice, so visitors can witness them raising their young every year from May to June.

Image provided by: Erimo Town Hall

As mentioned earlier, you can also see them through the telescopes in the observation room of the Wind Museum, but for those who want to see seals up close and fully enjoy the impressive scenery of Cape Erimo, we also recommend a seal watching tour by kayak from the sea.

Cliff Kayaks' "Seal Watching Tour"

Image provided by: Cliff Kayaks

These fun tours, where you might encounter scenes like those described above, are available in courses starting from two hours.

Image provided by: Cliff Kayaks
Even if you have no kayaking experience, you can rest assured that the guide will provide full support.

Image provided by: Cliff Kayaks

For example, the 3-hour TOKKARI course allows you to leisurely approach the seal sanctuary and enjoy a relaxing break on the rocks. Furthermore, it includes lunch or snacks and drinks, allowing you to fully enjoy Cape Erimo.

Cliff Kayaks
Location: 59 Erimo Cape, Erimo-cho, Horozumi-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：01466-3-1088

Image provided by: Erimo Town Hall

Are you familiar with Lake Toyoni, also known as Heart Lake, a lake about 1 km in circumference that has recently been attracting attention? Located 18 km north of Cape Erimo, it is the only natural lake within the Hidaka Mountains Erimo Quasi-National Park. Surrounded by primeval forest, the lake's surface presents a mystical sight when viewed from above, resembling a cobalt blue heart shining amidst the greenery.

Also, the Golden Road (a section of National Route 336, named because it was so expensive to pave with gold) that you take to get to the lake is highly recommended as you can enjoy spectacular views along the way. You can go all the way to Toyoni Lake, but unfortunately, there are currently no observation decks or anything like that so you can't see the heart shape with your own eyes.

However, it is possible to see the lake itself. Walking through the forest, the mystical lake that suddenly opens up before your eyes is breathtaking in itself. From the parking lot to the lakeshore, you will be walking through a natural forest with somewhat uneven footing, so please watch your step.

Furthermore, since last year (2015), a local tour offering helicopter sightseeing around Lake Toyoni has been offered only during the autumn season, and it has become quite popular.
For more information,CLICK HEREPlease take a look (reservations are also possible).
2016 Event: September 17th (Sat) - October 10th (Mon) Organizer: JTB Hokkaido

Lake Toyoni
Location: 54 Meguro, Erimo-cho, Horozumi-gun, Hokkaido, Hokkaido Prefectural Forest, Forest Compartment 135

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"Erimo Cape Tourist Center" offers a truly satisfying shopping and dining experience.

Image provided by: Erimo Town Hall

This facility offers both shopping and dining. With a variety of options including fresh sea urchin rice bowls, grilled fish set meals, set meals featuring plenty of seasonal sashimi, ramen, and even kelp soft serve ice cream for dessert, there's something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Image provided by: Erimo Town Hall

The spacious facility, which even large tour buses stop at, has a live fish tank, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely meal or buy souvenirs surrounded by an abundance of fresh seafood. They also offer nationwide shipping of seafood, so you can shop with peace of mind.

Erimo Cape Tourist Center
Location: Erimo Cape 2nd Rest House, Erimo-cho, Horozumi-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：01466-3-1666
Opening hours: Summer 8:00-18:00, Winter 9:00-17:00
Closed: January 4th to mid-March

"Muteki Shokudo," famous for its delicious Erimo ramen, has closed down.

Image provided by: Erimo Town Hall

The "Tsubu Ramen" at "Muteki Shokudo" located inside the Erimo Cape Rest House has even been featured in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido. This "Erimo Ramen," which can only be tasted in Erimo, is a salty ramen containing locally sourced whelk, chopped kelp, matsumo seaweed, and rock seaweed. Many customers come from far and wide to try this popular ramen, so be sure to give it a try.
*Apparently, the shop is no longer there due to a fire.

Image provided by: Erimo Town Hall

Besides ramen, they also offer rice bowls with fresh seafood, and a luxurious set of ramen and a sea urchin rice bowl is particularly popular.
Also, since Muteki Shokudo is located inside Shibuta Shoten, a souvenir shop at the Erimo Cape Rest House, you can enjoy plenty of shopping after you've had your fill.

Muteki Shokudo (closed)
Location: Erimo Cape 1nd Rest House, Erimo-cho, Horozumi-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：01466-3-1432
Opening hours: 9: 00 to 18: 00
Closed: Mid-November to early April

There are also plenty of other things to eat in Erimo Town that you'll want to try in Hokkaido!

Image provided by: Erimo Town Hall

There are still so many things to try when you visit Hokkaido in the Erimo Cape area, including Erimo Town and Honmachi. Hokkaido specialties like zangi (fried chicken) (top row, middle image), sushi and chirashi (scattered sushi) (middle image), and Erimo Town's famous tsubu soba (buckwheat noodles with whelk) (bottom image) make for a fun food tour!

Top image: Mirakutei, a paradise for eating and drinking.
Middle image: Isami Sushi
Bottom image: Soba restaurant Erimoan
The gourmet food at Cape ErimoCLICK HERESee

This is a guide to spots you should definitely visit on your way to Cape Erimo. It assumes a route from New Chitose Airport using a rental car: New Chitose Airport → Tomakomai → Hidaka Town → Shinhidaka Town → Cape Erimo. Please use this as a reference.

Lake Utonai is also a great place for birdwatching.

Just a 15-minute drive from New Chitose Airport! Recommended places to visit in Tomakomai City.

Image provided by: Wild Bird Society of Japan (Reproduction of this image is prohibited)

Lake Utunai (top left of the image) is one of Japan's leading stopover points for migratory birds and is known as Japan's first bird sanctuary.

Approximately 270 species of wild birds, including geese, ducks, and swans, have been confirmed here. The lakeside nature center (middle image) has an observation room (middle left image) with a panoramic view of the lake and a rest area (middle right image), and there are also several walking trails (bottom image), such as the "Red Fox Trail" (top right image), making it a recommended spot to observe various wild birds and nature throughout the year.

Lake Utunai Sanctuary Nature Center
Location: 150-3 Uenae, Tomakomai City, Hokkaido
TEL：0144-58-2505
Opening hours: Open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays (please check in advance) 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM
Admission fee: Free (donation box available)

Monbetsu Racecourse: An amusement facility that everyone can enjoy.

Recommended places to visit in Hidaka Town, a horse breeding area

Image provided by: Hokkaido Racing

Monbetsu Racecourse, one of the largest regional racecourses, is very popular with both adults and children because the paddock and spectators are very close together, allowing for an immersive, live horse racing experience.

This amusement-style racecourse offers something for everyone, with its vast grounds featuring a grassy area with picnic tables, log cabin-style mini-houses perfect for families and couples to relax in, a shop and cafe selling popular local sweets, a Genghis Khan barbecue restaurant where you can enjoy Hokkaido's specialties under the open sky (reservations required), and facilities where you can watch horses galloping while enjoying beer and food.

Furthermore, night races are held, and the illuminated racecourse is very romantic. Free shuttle buses from Sapporo are also available during the event period, so you can relax even if you stay out late or have a drink.

Monbetsu Racecourse
Location: 76-1 Tomikawa Komagaoka, Hidaka-cho, Saru-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：01456-2-4110
Access: Approximately 70 minutes by car from Sapporo, approximately 50 minutes by car from Chitose.
The race will be held in Sapporo.Free shuttle busあり。
Opening hours, event dates, etc., please contact the organizer.Hokkaido Horse Racing HomepagePlease check the race and event calendar.

Japan's largest-scale cherry blossom avenue

If you're visiting Hokkaido during cherry blossom season, be sure to check out these recommended spots in Hidaka Town!

Did you know that in Shinhidaka Town, Hidaka District, Hokkaido, there is a cherry blossom avenue said to be the largest in Japan, which has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Roads, one of Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots, one of Japan's 100 Best Street Trees, and was also designated a Hokkaido Heritage Site in 2004?

The "Shizunai Nijukken Road Cherry Blossom Avenue," stretching from Shizunai Tahara to Shizunai Misono in Hidaka Town, boasts approximately 3,000 cherry trees lining both sides of a straight road for about 7 kilometers, offering a breathtaking view of the cherry blossoms. In Hokkaido, cherry blossom season usually coincides with Golden Week every year, making it easy to plan a visit.

Even outside of cherry blossom season, there are several ranches along the road, making it a great place for a drive during the fresh green season.

Shizunai Nijukken Road Cherry Blossom Avenue
Location: Shizunai Tahara to Shizunai Misono, Shinhidaka-cho, Hidaka-gun, Hokkaido

by car

• Sapporo City to Erimo Town: Approximately 220 km, approximately 4 hours
• Chitose City to Erimo Town: Approximately 180km, approximately 3 hours 30 minutes
• Obihiro City to Erimo Town: Approximately 130km, approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
• Tomakomai City to Erimo Town: Approximately 170km, approximately 3 hours

By highway bus

Express Erimo (JR Hokkaido Bus)
Ooyachi Terminal (Sapporo City) to Erimo Town: Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes
Sapporo Station to Erimo Town: Approximately 4 hours 00 minutes
For further information, please read CLICK HEREClick

Alternatively, you can also get there by taking a train and then a bus.

New Chitose Airport to Tomakomai (express bus): About 50 minutes
• Tomakomai Station to Samani Station (JR Hidaka Line): Currently closed due to a landslide; substitute bus service is available.
For further information, please read CLICK HERE.
•Samani Station to Erimo Town (JR Hokkaido Bus): About 30 minutes

Summary

So, what do you think? Cape Erimo is truly a top tourist spot, offering fun on the way there and plenty to enjoy once you arrive! You can enjoy the spectacular scenery to your heart's content, savor delicious food to your heart's content, or even have a rare experience like sightseeing from the sea by kayak, observing seals and towering cliffs. It's a recommended tourist spot that will get you excited even at the planning stage.

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