Herring roe is golden, and cod roe is red. We take this for granted, but it was a seafood processing company in Rumoi City that first colored the roe of herring and Alaska pollock.

However, you might be thinking, "I don't hear that name much in Hokkaido, and I don't even know how to get there."

Because it's still relatively unknown, there are plenty of unpolished tourist attractions. There are even hidden gems that haven't been featured anywhere else.
This time, we'll introduce Rumoi City, which is a great base for sightseeing in northern Hokkaido from spring to summer.

Table of contents
1. Must-visit tourist spots in Rumoi
1-1. Golden Cape
1-2. The Hometown of the Sea Museum
1-3. Senbodai
1-4. Golden Beach
2. Recommended gourmet food and gourmet spots in Rumoi
3. Events in Rumoi
4. Access to Rumoi
Final thoughts

1-1. Golden Cape

Photo by Flickr: Rumoi's Golden Cape / acidlemon

Rumoi is a town that has prospered since the Edo period thanks to herring fishing.
After the Meiji Restoration, with the development of coal mines in the surrounding area, it became the second most developed city on the Sea of ​​Japan side of Hokkaido, after Otaru.

It is said that the number of people called "yanshu," who came from Tohoku and other regions to engage in herring fishing for only a short period, reached tens of thousands at its peak, and the area enjoyed great prosperity.
Even today, remnants of that era can be seen in various places throughout the city, but among them, Kogane Cape is particularly famous as a tourist attraction.

The sunset from here is considered one of the best in Japan.
It remains the number one tourist spot in Rumoi.

Image provided by: Rumoi Regional Promotion Bureau

Originally, this was a place to spot herring schools earlier.
The name Ogonmisaki (Golden Cape) comes from the fact that the backs of the herring shone with a golden color when illuminated by the setting sun or rising sun.

Although herring no longer gather as frequently as they once did, Ogonmisaki (Golden Cape) still shines as a spot of beautiful scenery.
The sunset sinking into the distant Sea of ​​Japan is magnificent and breathtaking, evoking memories of past glories.

The sunset view is highly recommended. As is typical of capes in Hokkaido, it can be quite windy here, so be sure to take precautions against the wind.

1-2. The Hometown of the Sea Museum

Photo by Flickr Umi no Furusato-kan / acidlemon

If Kogane Cape symbolizes Rumoi's herring fishing as a geographical feature, then this Sea Hometown Museum is a treasure trove of the history of herring fishing.

Modern buildings often use a lot of glass, creating a very open and airy feel.
The permanent exhibition hall houses over 2 artifacts from Rumoi's heyday as a thriving herring fishing town, conveying its prosperity to the present day. The second floor features an observation lounge and a restaurant.
This spot offers a view of the Sea of ​​Japan in rain or snow.

Rumoi is a place where blizzard warnings are frequently issued due to the influence of seasonal winds.
The Marine Hometown Museum is closed during the winter months and is typically open from April to October. It's a superb yet hidden gem that doesn't get too crowded.

If you're visiting Ogonmisaki, be sure to stop by. It also serves as a convenient rest stop.

1-3. Senbodai

Image source: Hokkaido Free Photo Material DO PHOTO

Another scenic spot in Rumoi is Senbodai.

While Ogonmisaki is located in the city center facing the sea, this place is a little further up the hill.
It has the feel of a small hill overlooking the city.

If you want to enjoy the powerful ocean views, then Ogonmisaki is the place to go, but if you want to quietly admire the city of Rumoi, which blends seamlessly with the deep blue sea, then this is definitely the better choice.
The observation deck is equipped with a spacious and relaxing rest house, allowing visitors to enjoy a peaceful coffee break in the town at the foot of the northern Hokkaido mountain range.

On a clear day, you can even see Mount Rishiri in the distance, and the view is so magnificent that it could easily be captured and put on a postcard.

1-4. Golden Beach

Photo by Flickr: Rumoi Golden Beach / acidlemon

Golden Beach is a beautiful sandy beach stretching for three kilometers.
Many beachgoers visit during the summer.

In Hokkaido, due to ocean currents, the Pacific side is not very suitable for swimming.
Because a cold current flows in the nearby sea, the water temperature doesn't rise much.

In contrast, the Sea of ​​Japan side boasts a diverse coastline, sandy beaches, and clean water, making it a popular swimming spot during the short summer months.
Even for day trips, a tent is essential for Hokkaido residents.

This refers to Hokkaido residents enjoying cherry blossom viewing with Genghis Khan (grilled lamb). Instead of ordinary bento boxes, they bring out BBQ sets and grill meat, Genghis Khan, and seafood in a hearty style. This completes the scene that everyone believes to be a classic and quintessential beach scene.

The distant beach is a popular spot for water sports, with jet skis roaring loudly.
Even if you're not planning on a full-fledged swim, simply walking along the beach with its beautiful, clear waters, and experiencing the quintessential Hokkaido experience, will give you a sense of what makes Hokkaido unique and different from beaches on Honshu.

Basic Information
Rumoi City Tourism Association
2-3-1 Omachi, Rumoi City, inside the Umi no Furusato-kan (Sea Hometown Museum)
0164-43-6817
http://rumoi-rasisa.jp/

Rumoi is a town famous for herring, and there's no one in Hokkaido who doesn't know about it.
However, it's fair to say that the town is now quite well-known as a place for shrimp.

Sweet shrimp are especially popular. Those from northern Hokkaido are particularly famous.
Most of the oysters shipped to Sapporo come from the Sea of ​​Japan, mainly from northern Hokkaido. They are characterized by their rich sweetness, firm texture that lingers in the mouth, and fine fibers.

However, another characteristic of these shrimp is that they move very quickly.
When it comes to enjoying it while it's fresh, locally caught seafood is definitely the best. It's a dish I highly recommend trying as sashimi.

Not just sweet shrimp, but seafood in general is abundant and everything tastes delicious.
First, for a classic sushi experience, I recommend Janome, a long-established restaurant in the city.
This shop is very popular with the locals.

Despite being an authentic sushi restaurant, the prices are incredibly reasonable. You can get 21 pieces for just 2500 yen.
We offer the finest seafood from northern Hokkaido at this price. If you're in Rumoi, this is the place to go, and it's a restaurant recommended by locals.

For those who don't want to eat only sushi, we recommend Tomimaru, a restaurant run by fishermen.
Seafood stir-fried noodles with thick sauce and tempura rice bowl. The portions and prices are overwhelming.

In Hokkaido, particularly around Otaru, yakisoba is served with a thick, starchy sauce rather than regular sauce.
This is one of those dishes that many people become big fans of after coming to Hokkaido.

This exquisite dish is finished with a rich broth made from seafood caught in the seas of northern Hokkaido. It's a dish that has many repeat customers. The kakiage donburi (tempura rice bowl) is a huge portion, so it's recommended to share it.
And it's under 1000 yen. I'm speechless. Of course, I also recommend the sushi.

The display case was filled with a swarm of sweet shrimp. This is a shop where you can't go wrong no matter what you order.

Basic Information
Shop name: Janome
Address: 3-1-13 Nishikimachi, Rumoi City, Hokkaido 077-0044
Telephone 0164-42-0848
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 14:30 PM, 16:30 PM - 21:00 PM
Closed holiday: irregular holiday

Shop name: Ryoshi no Mise Tomimaru (Fisherman's Shop Tomimaru)
TEL 0164-42-0203
Address: 3-3-10 Kaiun-cho, Rumoi City, Hokkaido
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 22:00 PM [Lunch] 11:30 AM - 14:00 PM
No regular holidays

With tourist facilities closed, the town of Rumoi endures the cold as if sleeping during the winter. But it's in the summer that it suddenly comes alive.
There are a lot of events lined up from the latter half of May.

First up, in late May, we'll be kicking things off with a delicious Rumoi Market!
This event is held four times a year, and its main attractions are sea urchin for 1000 yen and scallops that you can fill a bag with for 500 yen.
Apparently, some brave souls manage to cram 20 sea urchins or 20 scallops into their bags at once.

The price is 50 yen per sea urchin. Of course, these are unprocessed, but they could easily be priced at ten times that amount.
Participants will be traveling from as far away as Sapporo and Asahikawa.

Following this, Golden Beach will officially open for swimming around the 10th of July.
The parking lot, which can accommodate 800 cars—comparable to that of a huge shopping mall—gets completely full.

Fireworks are launched on Saturday nights, literally adding to the festive atmosphere of the seaside evening. And in the latter half of July, Rumoi City's summer festival, Rumoi Dontou Festival, is held.

The entire city is in the midst of summer festivities. The harbor has been transformed into a beer garden, and more than 20 lanterns, centered around two large, rare, freestanding lanterns, parade magnificently through the city, accompanied by approximately 400 "haneto" dancers who perform to the sounds of flutes and drums.

It preserves the atmosphere of a fishing town that once thrived on herring fishing.

This is truly the moment when Rumoi's summer explodes.
By the time you hear the sounds of the Bon Odori festival in August, the nights start to feel a little chilly. The latter half of July is arguably the best season to visit Rumoi.

Basic Information
Rumoi City Tourism Association
2-3-1 Omachi, Rumoi City, inside the Umi no Furusato-kan (Sea Hometown Museum)
0164-43-6817
http://rumoi-rasisa.jp/

If you're renting a car, there are two routes from Sapporo.
You can take an inland expressway, or a route that goes from northern Sapporo through the southern part of National Route 231, also known as the Orolon Line.

If you take the Hokkaido Expressway from Fukagawa and then the Rumoi-Fukagawa Road, the journey takes about two hours. Alternatively, you can enjoy the scenery along the Orolon Line for a total of three hours.

If you have some extra time, I recommend taking a leisurely drive along the coast, as you can enjoy some wonderful scenery.

JR trains include the Super Kamui limited express, and you can transfer at Fukagawa to a local train that stops at every station.
It will take approximately 3 hours in total.

The local train from Fukagawa takes about an hour, but you need to be careful about transfer times.
The intercity express bus travels via the Hokkaido Expressway and takes approximately three hours. It is currently operated by Hokkai Chuo Bus.
There is also a route that goes through the Orolon Line, entering Rumoi from Mashike Town, which is operated by Coastal Bus.

Basic Information
JR Hokkaido HP　http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/
Hokkaido Chuo Bus HP　http://www.chuo-bus.co.jp/
Coastal Bus HP　http://www.engan-bus.co.jp/

Final thoughts

How was that.
Rumoi City, which has developed as a fishing town and a center of fisheries, forestry, and trade, has long been a place to live, and it seems to lack many tourist attractions.

However, don't you think a town with abundant nature and seafood is attractive enough on its own?
Rumoi is home to the true, unpretentious side of Hokkaido, a place that never panders to tourists.

I highly recommend visiting Rumoi at least once. I think you'll be able to feel the authentic energy of the people who live in Hokkaido.

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