For tourists from Honshu and other parts of Japan, driving along the wide roads of Hokkaido is a delightful experience.

In fact, for us Hokkaido residents, driving during the snow-free season is a precious time! From the snowmelt to the autumn foliage season, Hokkaido drivers and riders enthusiastically race around the northern land on their days off!

Located within a two-hour drive from New Chitose Airport via expressway, and midway between Lake Toya and Noboribetsu Onsen, Muroran, known as the "City of Steel," boasts a diverse landscape that makes it a delightful destination for scenic drives. It's popular with local drivers as well. Furthermore, a complete tour of its sights takes only about 90 minutes by car, making it perfect for a day trip or a stopover!

So, this time I'll tell you about the charms of driving around Muroran!

Table of contents
1. Driving is recommended for visiting Muroran's tourist spots!
2. Highlights
2-1 Cape Chikyu and the Scenic Road
2-2 Filming locations for the drama: Former Etomo Elementary School and Shiratori Bridge
2-3 Michi-no-Eki "Mitara Muroran"
2-4 Film location: Itanki Beach
3 Model Courses
Summary

1. Driving is recommended for sightseeing in Muroran!

The Muroran area has long been a well-known spot among domestic travel enthusiasts and touring motorcyclists.
However, because it is located between two major tourist destinations, Noboribetsu and Lake Toya, it was usually overlooked in typical package tours.

However, with the increase in travel agencies offering budget-friendly tours that include rental cars, travelers can now easily plan their own personalized trips, and the appeal of these tours has gradually spread through word-of-mouth on the internet and elsewhere!

Recently, Muroran has also been frequently chosen as a filming location for dramas and movies. With its diverse landscapes including coastlines, mountains, and plains, Muroran is a fun city to drive around in!

2. Highlights

2-1 Cape Chikyu and the Scenic Road

Cape Chikyu played a major role in transforming the image of Muroran, which was once an industrial city!

It became known as a new tourist destination in Japan after being selected as the number one spot in "Hokkaido's 100 Best Natural Landscapes" in 1985.

On a clear day, you can see the famous Hokkaido Komagatake mountain near Hakodate in the distance! On some days, you can even see as far as the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture!

Cape Chikyu is located along a route known as the "scenic road." Since this road is narrow and too narrow for large tour buses, we highly recommend enjoying it as a scenic drive!

[Tourist Road]
Source:Muroran LocalWiki Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Now, let me introduce you to the highlights of the scenic route!

[Daikoku Island]
It is one of Muroran's symbols, along with Cape Chikyu. It was also a filming location for the 2012 movie "Yokai Ningen Bem".

[Etomo Cape]
(Photo courtesy of Muroran Tourism Association)

This is one of Muroran City's most representative scenic spots! From the observation deck, you can see not only Daikoku Island, but also Showa Shinzan, Usuzan, and Yoteizan in the distance. On a clear day, you can even see Esan in the Hakodate area!

In addition, the scenic route is full of wonderful views, including Masuichi Beach and Tokkarisho!

Masuichi Beach (Photo courtesy of Muroran Tourism Association)

Tokkarisho (Photo courtesy of Muroran Tourism Association)

2-2 Filming locations for the drama: Former Etomo Elementary School and Shiratori Bridge

Since around 2010, Muroran has been used as a filming location for dramas and movies!

First, there's Etomo Elementary School, one of the filming locations for the 2010 TV drama "Mother."

(Photo courtesy of Facebook: "We want to preserve both of the circular school buildings at Muroran Municipal Etomo Elementary School!")

The school where the protagonist works appeared in the drama.
This elementary school had a unique circular building, but unfortunately, it closed down in March 2015.
The building on the right in the photo houses classrooms, while the gymnasium is located on the top floor of the building on the left, which has a dome-shaped roof.
The school building, which looks like a pair of round glasses when viewed from above, is still loved by the locals even though it has been closed down!

(Photo courtesy of Facebook: "We want to preserve both of the circular school buildings at Muroran Municipal Etomo Elementary School!")

[Access information]
Address: 2-7-30 Shukutsu-cho, Muroran City
the map isCLICK HEREClick

Next, we have the filming locations for the movie "Yokai Ningen Bem," released in 2012.
Muroran's iconic Hakucho Bridge and Daikoku Island were set as the locations where the main characters stayed.
It appeared throughout the movie, creating a mysterious atmosphere at night.

Shiratori Bridge/Daikoku Island

Shiratori Bridge at night / Daikoku Island at sunset (Photo courtesy of Muroran Tourism Association)

2-3 Michi-no-Eki "Mitara Muroran"

A must-visit spot for a road trip is a "roadside station"!

"Mitara Muroran" is located in an area surrounded by tourist attractions such as the Hakucho Bridge, Muroran Municipal Aquarium, and Enrum Marina.

(Photo courtesy of Muroran Tourism Association)

The building also houses the "Shiratori Bridge Memorial Museum," which displays materials related to the bridge's construction technology.
The shop also stocks products related to Muroran's local specialties, such as "curry ramen" and "Muroran yakitori," as well as Muroran kelp and postcards featuring night views!

"Curry Ramen" was commercialized as a cup noodle product.

"Muroran Yakitori," a dish of pork and onions grilled on skewers (Photo courtesy of Muroran Tourism Association)

Just a five-minute drive away is the Shukutsu Park Observation Deck, a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Shiratori Bridge.
On a sunny day, you'll be treated to a refreshing scene like the one in the photo!

(Photo courtesy of Muroran Tourism Association)

[Access information]
Roadside Station "Mitara Muroran"
Address: 4-16-15 Shukutsu-cho, Muroran City
the map isCLICK HEREClick

Shukutsu Park Observation Deck
Address: 3-chome, Shukutsu-cho, Muroran City
the map isCLICK HEREClick

2-4 Film location: Itanki Beach

In the 2013 film "The Detective Is in the Bar 2," Muroran appears as an important location that holds the key to the case, and the beach scene that appears in the latter half of the film was a memorable scene that conveyed the poignant feelings of the main characters!

That beach is Itanki Beach, one of the few surf spots in Hokkaido.
It's also known as a rare "singing sand" beach in Hokkaido. When you walk on the sand, it makes a cute "squeak, squeak" sound, so be sure to take a walk!

[Access information]
Itanki Beach
Address: 3-chome, Higashi-machi, Muroran City
the map isCLICK HEREClick

3 Model Courses

So, to summarize the model itinerary for visiting the tourist spots we've introduced so far, it would look something like this:

For example, if you leave Sapporo around 8:00 AM, taking the Hokkaido Expressway, you'll reach Mitara Muroran, which is about 140 km away, arriving around 10:00 AM. Then, if you take a detour to Itanki Beach, you'll arrive between 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM.

After touring the area and having lunch, you can then head to Lake Toya or Noboribetsu in the afternoon and enjoy a relaxing soak in a hot spring – it's sure to be a fulfilling day trip!

Summary

That concludes our quick overview of the highlights of a drive around Muroran.

A drive along the coast on a sunny day is highly recommended, but Muroran offers a variety of other attractions, including factory night views, whale and dolphin watching, local cuisine, and exploring retro architecture.

Muroran is a charming town where you'll discover something new every time you visit! I hope you all find your own "likes"!

Please also check out these related articles.

• 

  Perfect Guide to the Otaru Canal - Perfect for First-Timers!

• 

  Japan's northernmost sake brewery, Kunimare Sake Brewery in Mashike | A journey through Hokkaido's finest sake

• 

  Obihiro Hageten Main Store | A long-established restaurant specializing in tempura, local cuisine, and pork bowls!

• 

  Top 5 Sapporo Soft Serve Ice Creams Worth Traveling For! [Hokkaido Sweets Roundup]

• 

  Gomi Onsen, one of only two carbonated hot springs in Hokkaido | Shimokawa Town

• 

  Spring in Shiretoko begins with the opening of the sea | Enjoy the charm of mountains, sea, and nature!

• 

  Which is more economical from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo: JR train or bus? We'll teach you the smart way to choose.

• 

  A drive from Sapporo to Niseko! We'll tell you about the sights and gourmet spots♪

Introducing our sister site (please check it out if you're interested)