The "Blue Grotto" can be seen on the island of Capri, located in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of southern Italy.
The fantastical scenery is a breathtakingly beautiful world of blue, and just looking at the photos makes you sigh in admiration.

It may seem like a distant, unattainable sight, but the Blue Grotto actually exists in Otaru and Shakotan, Hokkaido!
If it's located within Japan, you'd probably think, "I want to go there at least once! I want to see it!!" right?

So, this time, I'd like to introduce some Blue Grotto spots that can be seen in Hokkaido.
It's attracting a lot of attention as a new tourist spot in Hokkaido, so be sure to check it out!

<Table of Contents>
1. Why the ocean appears blue
2. Where in Hokkaido is it located?
3. Introducing tours that take you to the Blue Grotto!
Final thoughts

A mystical color resulting from a miraculous combination of conditions. Let's begin by explaining why it's blue.

First, the following are the basic conditions for something to glow blue:
*These conditions apply to the Blue Grotto in Hokkaido. These conditions may not apply to other locations.

■ The sea is clear.
■ The need for (sunlight)
■ It is inside a cave.

If you thought, "It's called the Blue Grotto, so of course the condition is a cave!", you're right.
The key is the "cave".

The light entering the cave entrance reflects off the surface of the sea, illuminating the inside of the cave and making it glow blue.

Based on my experience there, depending on the weather, I think it was bluer than Capri.
The color may appear slightly different depending on the lighting and time of day.

So, where exactly in Hokkaido is it located?
They are located in Otaru and Shakotan (Bikuni Town) in southern Hokkaido.

Otaru is a place blessed with tourist attractions such as canals and red brick warehouses.
The Shakotan Peninsula is also famous for its scenic spots such as Shimamui Coast and Cape Kamui.

In other words, its easily accessible location as a tourist spot seems to be one of the reasons for its popularity.

If you have the opportunity to visit the Blue Grotto, you'll definitely want to add it to your travel plans!

Therefore, I would like to introduce a few tours that allow you to easily enjoy the Blue Grotto.
We hope you can find a plan that suits you!

3-1. Departing from Otaru! A boat trip to the Blue Grotto

The Blue Grotto tour, organized by the boat specialist company Hokuo Sangyo, allows you to visit the Blue Grotto while sightseeing at historic scenic spots!

For tourists, having someone take them around to various places is the best thing ever!

Moreover, these are all places that can only be seen from the sea.
Your perspective changes, allowing you to see the magnificent northern landscape!

After departing from Otaru Port (Ryugu Wharf [commonly known]), the boat will visit various scenic spots before finally heading to its destination, the Blue Grotto.

What I'd like you to pay attention to is the difference in color between the area near the entrance and the area at the back of the cave!
Of course, the water on the ocean side is clear, but when the light aligns with the caves created by nature, the difference in the beauty of the shimmering blue is clearly visible between the foreground and the background.

Of course, it's far more beautiful than the photos, so I hope as many people as possible can experience this amazing sight.
This might be a moment that changes your perspective on life!

And the tour isn't just about visiting scenic spots.

With departures three times a day—morning (9am-11am), midday (12pm-2pm), and afternoon (3pm-5pm)—it's incredibly convenient for planning your sightseeing itinerary!

Additionally, if you wish, you can take a boat ride through the cave and then enjoy a sea fishing experience, so please feel free to join us if you're interested!

<Organizer: Hokuo Sangyo Co., Ltd.>
Address:4-5 Minatomachi, Otaru City, Hokkaido
Contact: 0134-32-3911
Period: Late April to mid-October
URL:http://hokuo-marine.com/
~Prices~
Adult: 5,000 Yen
Children from elementary school age to 3 years old: 3,000 yen

*If the course is canceled due to severe weather, it will be changed to the normal course, which is only available during severe weather.
Adults: 2,500 yen; Children from elementary school age to 3 years old: 2,000 yen

3-2. Departing from Otaru! The Blue Grotto via the Otaru Canal

The Blue Grotto tour organized by Tsusen Co., Ltd. departs from the Otaru Canal!
The video shows a journey to the Blue Grotto, passing through Otaru Coast National Park, the only marine park in Hokkaido.

One of its key features is the bench seat, which offers excellent freedom of movement, allowing you to easily move around and take photos, for example.

On the way to the Blue Grotto, the captain will stop at various points along the way, such as Kuma-iwa (Bear Rock) and Mado-iwa (Window Rock) in Otaru Coast National Park, and provide a fun guided tour!

And here's another great service!

On windy or rainy days, you might get splashed, but they lend you a poncho from the boat.
In early spring, they lend out bench coats for free, which is a nice touch – it's both casual and convenient!

<Organizer: Tsusen Co., Ltd.>
Address: 1-20-8 Akaiwa, Otaru City, Hokkaido *This is not the boarding location.
Contact: 0134-23-8942
Period: April 15th to October 2nd
URL:http://www10.plala.or.jp/tuusen/service.html
出航時間：①9：30発　②11：30発　③13：30発 ③15：30発 ⑤17:30（6月～8月）
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes (may vary depending on wave conditions)
~Prices~
Adults: 5,000 yen (half price for children 1 years old and under)
Ages 0-2: Free (registration required)

3-3. Departing from Shakotan Peninsula! Snorkeling to the Blue Cave

Finally, I'd like to introduce you to the Shakotan Peninsula version of the Blue Grotto.
In this area, Shakotan Marine is the only company that organizes Blue Grotto tours.

The style of snorkeling involves swimming from the US to the spot.

The main appeal of the tour is definitely "swimming there."

Hokkaido and snorkeling may seem like unrelated things at first glance... but for those who think otherwise,
No, no, that's not the case!

If you go fully equipped with a wetsuit and other protective gear, you'll be fine, so you don't need to worry about the cold!

For those who can't swim, the instructors will pull you along with a lifebuoy, so you can enjoy the experience with peace of mind.

This shop also boasts excellent facilities, including showers and guest rooms!
Its appeal lies in the fact that you can just drop in without it interfering with your subsequent sightseeing.

Would you like to see this mystical world from the perspective of the ocean surface?

<Organizer: Shakotan Marine (Ocean Days)>
Address:50 Funama, Bikuni-cho, Shakotan-cho, Shakotan-gun, Hokkaido
Contact: 0123-25-4133
Period: April 1th to October 31nd
URL:http://ocean-days.com/syakotan/
~Prices~
Adults: 6,000 yen *For elementary school students and older, minimum height 120cm (140cm or taller outside of August and September)
Duration: Slightly less than 1 hour (may vary depending on the participant's skill level)
① 9:00 - 11:30
②12: 00 ~ 14: 30
③ 15:00 - 17:30 *This time slot is only available in July, August, and September.
※Rain or shine

Final thoughts

What did you think.
I'm sure there are people who would love to see the Blue Grotto but simply can't make it to Italy (I'm one of them).

With so many tourist destinations to choose from, if you're wondering where to go in Hokkaido, and especially if you love the sea, why not consider experiencing the Blue Grotto in Otaru/Shakotan?

You will surely be moved by the breathtaking beauty of the scenery.

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