1. The spectacular view of Kiritappu Cape

Located at the eastern end of the Kirittapu Peninsula, at an elevation of about 40-60 meters, jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, is Cape Kirittapu. While its official name is Cape Tofutsu, it is also known as Cape Tokkari (Tokkari meaning seal), and all these names originate from the Ainu language.

The dynamic natural beauty of the area begins with the blooming of Corydalis ambigua in spring, and continues through summer and autumn with a profusion of flowers. It is also noteworthy for the year-round presence of wild sea otters.

▲The thick fog is also a famous feature of the cape▲

The Tobutsu Cape Lighthouse, a landmark of Kirittapu Cape, was certified in 2016 as Hokkaido's first "Lighthouse of Love" in the "Lighthouse of Love Project" implemented by the Japan Romantic Association and the Nippon Foundation. As its nickname "Kirittapu Cape" suggests, the area is often shrouded in fog, and the reason for its certification is said to be that it obscures the world, much like the feeling of being in love.

A walking path continues beyond the Yuwaki Cape Lighthouse, allowing you to reach near the tip of the cape.

2. Let's observe sea otters at Kiritappu Cape.

Sea otters began to be observed at Kiritappu Cape around 2016. It is believed that they may have come from the Kuril Islands, one of the Northern Territories. The environment seems suitable for their establishment, with an abundance of sea otter favorite foods such as sea urchins and crabs, and many rocky areas suitable for resting and raising their young. In recent years, their population has gradually increased, and in the summer of 2024, it was confirmed that 11 sea otters had settled and were living and breeding in an area of ​​about 8 kilometers around Kiritappu Cape.

Spots where you can see sea otters

Sea otters can be observed from the Yuwaki Cape Lighthouse and the walking trails that extend in front of and around it. The walking trail takes about 15-20 minutes one way from the parking lot, past the Yuwaki Cape Lighthouse, to the tip of the cape. Along the coastline visible from the trail and around the cape, you can spot sea otters floating in the waves much more easily than you might expect.

Image provided by: Hamanaka Town Hall

On the day I went, I was also able to observe them along the coast around the "Kirittapu Cape Observatory," which is located on the north side of the cape and offers a panoramic view of the entire cape.
Of course, since sea otters are wild animals, please understand that whether or not you are guaranteed to encounter one depends on luck.

Best season and time to observe sea otters

Sea otters are diurnal and active year-round, so they can be observed year-round. However, as the name "Kirittapu" suggests, sea fog covers the coastline from spring to summer. Therefore, the coastline may be completely obscured at times.

The best season for observing sea otters is from autumn to winter,If you're visiting during the summer tourist season, we recommend going early in the morning when fog is less likely to occur.

Points to note when observing sea otters

Warnings have been issued in the vicinity of the cape, but sea otters are very sensitive to noise and changes in their environment. To prevent the sea otters from disappearing,

- We will not use drones for filming.
Do not feed them.
Do not make loud noises or engage in any other actions to attract attention.

Observations should be conducted in accordance with the rules and etiquette necessary to protect the ecosystem.
The distance from the observation point to the sea surface is moderate. We strongly recommend bringing binoculars for observation. A telephoto lens is essential for those taking photographs.

▲This was the best I could do with my smartphone camera▲

Valuable wild plants grow in clusters outside the walking path. It is strictly forbidden to trample on the area outside the path, as this will disrupt the vegetation. The area outside the walking path is a sheer cliff, and there have been fatal accidents due to falls in the past.

3. Things to do and activities around Kiritappu Cape

In addition to sea otters, Kirittapu Cape is a spot where you can leisurely enjoy the promenade surrounded by the vast ocean and numerous flowers. While the fog may be a disappointment for sea otter observation, the scenery around Kirittapu Cape shrouded in mist is truly magical.

The mist that envelops the entire town nourishes the flowers and plants, creating beautiful scenery around Cape Kiritappu and the nearby Kiritappu Marsh throughout the seasons. In the summer, horses can be commonly seen grazing in the pastures around the cape.

There are campgrounds and day-trip hot spring facilities very close to Kiritappu Cape.

Image provided by: Hamanaka Town Hall

The Kiritappu Marshland stretches out at the base of the Kiritappu Peninsula, and in the surrounding area, you can enjoy many outdoor activities such as horseback riding, marshland trekking, and canoeing.

Hamanaka Town is also the hometown of Monkey Punch, the creator of "Lupin the Third," and characters are displayed throughout the town. Every summer, the "Lupin the Third Festival" is held, attracting Lupin fans from all over Japan and around the world.

4. Access to Kirittapu Cape

The nearest airport to Cape Kiritappu is Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport, which is about an hour and a half (approximately 90 km) away by car. There are year-round scheduled flights between Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport and Haneda Airport.
It's about a 2-hour drive (approximately 110 km) from Tancho Kushiro Airport, which has many flights. There are regular flights from Haneda Airport, and during the summer season, there are direct flights from Kansai, Itami, and Chubu International Airports.

If using public transportation, take the Hanasaki Line from JR Kushiro Station bound for Nemuro and get off at "Chanai Station". A town bus runs to Kirittapu in conjunction with the train's arrival. (On weekends and holidays, the bus is a demand-responsive service and requires reservations made by the day before.) From the bus's final stop, "Kirittapu Onsen Yuuyu," it's about a 35-minute walk to Kirittapu Cape.

Reference: Hamanaka Town > Regarding the operation of town-operated buses

4-1. Best time to visit

Hamanaka Town is beautiful throughout all four seasons, but if you're going to visit...Summer is the most pleasant time to experience the cool breeze and is highly recommended.Even during the daytime in August, temperatures along the coastline can sometimes drop below 20 degrees Celsius.
Whether you're visiting by motorcycle, car, or bicycle, the North Pacific Seaside Line, which runs along Hokkaido Prefectural Roads 123 and 142, offers unobstructed, breathtaking scenery.

Even within the same town of Hamanaka, it's not uncommon for temperatures to differ by as much as 5 degrees Celsius between the inland dairy farming area and the coastline where Cape Kirittapu is located. Please take this into consideration when choosing your clothing for your visit.

The scenery of Hamanaka Town changes completely depending on the season, as well as the time of day, such as sunrise and sunset. It's a town where you can relax and take your time.

Summer and autumn are seasons of abundant food. Food events are held every autumn, so please check the Hamanaka Town Tourism Association website for details.

5. In conclusion: The area around Kiritappu Cape is full of great food options.

The milk from dairy cows that graze on pastures nourished by mineral-rich water vapor carried by the fog is the raw milk used to make Häagen-Dazs ice cream. For this reason, Hamanaka Town is known as the "hometown of Häagen-Dazs."

Hamanaka Town and its surrounding areas, near Cape Kiritappu, offer so many delicious foods like sea urchin, kelp, and oysters that it can be overwhelming to choose from them all.
Hamanaka Town in eastern Hokkaido is a quiet town with a population of about 5,200, but it's full of things to do that you'll find more than you can experience in just one day. Enjoy the scenery of Kiritappu Cape and the sea otters to your heart's content.

Akihiro Yamazaki

Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1975, he moved to eastern Hokkaido at the age of 32 after being captivated by its grandeur during a motorcycle trip. As a practicing male nurse, he dedicates himself to community healthcare and welfare while also promoting the region's attractions.

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