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MURORAN
Muroran city enjoys a blend of city life surrounded by spectacular
natural scenery. There is a large deep water port and many outdoor
sightseeing spots.
Major attractions include :
Cape Chikyu, Cape Etomo, Daikoku
Island, Dolphin & Whale Watching Tours, Former
Branch Office of Nanbu Clan, Hakucho Bay Observatory, Hakucho
Bridge & Commemorative Hall, Itanki Beach, Kin-Byobu & Gin-Byobu
(Gold & Silver Cliffs), Literature
Museum of Muroran Port, Masuichi Beach, Mt
Muroran Park, Mt Sokuryo, Muroran
Aquarium, Muroran Folklore & Historic
Museum, Muroran Youth Science Museum, Tokkarisho
Scenic Area.
* Please note that many
of the places to visit in Muroran may require the use of a car. If you would
like car rental information please click here.
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| Cape Chikyu (Chikyu
Misaki - Cape Earth) - |
Cape Chikyu is located at the southern end of Muroran City and is
a beautiful scenic area. Residing on the cape approximately 120 m above
sea level,  there
is a 310 000 candlepower lighthouse, large observatory, hiking trails
and parking lots. From the observatory on clear days it is possible
to see Mt. Komagatake, Cape Esan, and the Shimokita Peninsula. This
area is a particular favorite with Japanese to view the first sunrise
of the new year which is considered significant in Japan. Located about
halfway along the Cape Chikyu hiking course is Charatsunai Beach which
is home to Japan’s only seaweed research facility run by Hokkaido
University. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
10 min. by car from JR Bokoi Station |
| Phone |
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| Cape Etomo - |
Cape Etomo is the ending point to Etomo Peninsula and is home to
a seaside park and recreation area. From the peninsula, it is possible
to see Mt. Usu, M t.
Showa, Mt. Yohtei, the Oshima Peninsula and Cape Esan. Within the
park there is a walking path about One kilometer long. The walking
path has a nice view of Hakucho Bridge, Daikoku Island and the sea.
This area was also the location of an Ainu fort that was said to
be impenetrable due to its system of trenches and location behind
the cliffs. However, today all that remains is a monument to the
Ainu People. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
15 min. by car from JR Muroran Station |
| Phone |
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| Daikoku Island - |
 Daikoku
Island is a small island located at the entrance to Muroran Harbor.
The island was named in 1838 after one of the ‘Seven Deities
of Good Fortune’. On the island is monument to the British
Ship "Providence" whose crew died in 1796 and also a rare species
of black lilly. The lilies where almost harvested into extinction
by the Japanese, however replanting and conservation efforts are
seeing a return of the plants. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
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| Dolphin and
Whale Watching Tours - |
 Hokkaido
is one of the premier areas in Japan to go whale and dolphin watching.
Muroran is well situated to view the whales on their annual migration
through Volcano Bay. There are plenty of sightseeing boats available
during the the summer months from about the end of April to the middle
of August. Top |
| Admission |
Tours for adults start at about ¥5000
Tours for minors start at about ¥2500 |
| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
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| Phone |
(0143) 27 - 1822 For information & reservations |
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| Former Branch
Office of the Nanbu Clan - |
| The Nanbu Clan were entrusted with the protection of an area stretching
from Hakodate Cape Esan to Horobetsu by the shogunate in 1855. In
line with this they erected defensible areas and other works, some
of which are still visible today. They also erected their branch
office. Old trenches, wells and a monument to their office can be
viewed. This area was designated an important cultural property by
the historical society in 1934. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
10 min. by car from JR Motowa Nishi Station |
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Hakucho Bridge & Commemorative
Hall -
Hakucho
Bay Observatory - |
 Completed
in 1998, the Hakucho Suspension Bridge stretches across the opening
to Muroran Harbor. It is the longest suspension bridge in Eastern Japan
and is beautifully lit at night by wind generated power. There are
several areas to view the bridge including the Hakucho Bay Observatory.
Offering a lovely view of Muroran Port, Hakucho
Bridge and Etomo peninsular, this observatory area is also
well lit at night due to the surrounding industrial area. There is also a museum dedicated to various aspects of the
bridges construction. Inside you will find photographs, models and
a giant TV showing images from the top of the bridge. There is also
a coffee lounge and park golf course. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
The Bridge : Board a Donan bus to Hakucho Ohashi
Kinen-kan-mae stop
The Observatory : 10 min. by car from JR Motowa Nishi Station |
| Phone |
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| Itanki Beach - |
| Itanki Beach located along the coast from Muroran is famous for
it’s special “singing sand”. The sand makes a very
distinct sound when it is walked over. This gives the beach a popular
image as being clean. Surfers are also regular visitors to this area
as there are many good surf days to be had here. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
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| Kin-Byobu & Gin-Byobu
(Gold & Silver Cliffs) - |
 Kin-Byobu
is a cliff face located near Cape Chikyu (Chikyu Misaki - Cape Earth).
This cliff face is  comprised
of reddish brown rock that when viewed in the the morning sunshine
presents itself in a beautiful golden color. In Japanese it is thought
to resemble a golden paper screen, thus gaining it’s name.
Similarly, Gin-Byobu is also a large cliff face located at the southern
end of Etomo Peninsula which appears silver in the morning light. Top |
| Admission |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
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| Literature
Museum of Muroran Port - |
| Various writers and artists, including Yoshinori Yagi and Kiyohiro
Miura, who are from or connected to Muroran, have materials, writings
and other works on display here. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
Approximately a 10 min. walk from JR Muroran
Station |
| Phone |
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| Masuichi Beach
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 Masuichi Beach is located about about halfway between Mt.
Sokuryo and Gin-Byobu.
It can be reached via the Cape Chikyu sightseeing
trail. This area is characterized by unusual rock formations
and is also a designated wildlife sanctuary where various species
of birds nest (Cuckoos, Falcons and Bush Warblers to name a few.)
From the beach area it is also possible to see Mt. Komagatake
on the other side of Volcano Bay. Top
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| Admission |
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| Closed |
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| Mt. Muroran Park
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| Created for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike this
recreational park is situated at the base of Mt Muroran and is at
an altitude of over 900 meters. the recreation grounds include an
overnight training facility with gymnasium, camping grounds, tennis
courts and a park golf course. The area becomes a small ski hill,
for beginner to intermediates, during the winter months. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
The Ski area is open from about mid December
to about late March depending on the season. |
| Closed |
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| Getting There |
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| Phone |
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| Mt. Sokuryo - |
Mt Sokuryo was named after it was used as a base point by an american  engineer
helping to construct roads between Sapporo and Muroran in the 1870’s.
The mountain commands an excellent view of the surroundings and has
an observation deck on top of it along with several brightly lit
transmitter towers. The view takes in Muroran city, Mt. Showa Shinzan,
Mt. Usu and Mt. Yotei and is particularly beautiful at night. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
Approximately 10 min. by car from downtown Muroran |
| Phone |
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| Muroran Aquarium
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Muroran Aquarium is home to some 4 000 plus specimens (approximately
150 different species) of sea life, kept in 46 tanks. The aquarium
has examples of both  freshwater
and salt water fish and other sea creatures that live in the waters
off of Hokkaido and Honshu. There are also other sea animals including
seals, penguins and sea lions. There are animal shows and various
other facilities to keep everyone in the family happy. Top |
| Admission |
Adults & High school Students ¥300
Over 70 yo & Under 15 yo Free of Charge |
| Opening Hours |
9:15 am to 4:45 pm : End of April to October
31 |
| Closed |
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| Getting There |
Approximately 3 min. walk from Donan Bus gSuizokukan-maeh
stop |
| Phone |
0143-27-1638 |
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| Muroran
Folklore and Historic Museum - |
| A must for history buffs, this museum is dedicated to the history
of Muroran and also of Japan and adjoins the Former
Branch Office of the Nanbu Clan. The museum contains approximately
28 000 items of varying historical value. Items relate to the many
facets of society, life and history in this region and also to the
first airplane engine produced in Japan, the Muroran Steel Works,
the gTondenheih or farmer soldiers and the native Ainu. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
9 am to 5 pm Daily |
| Closed |
Mondays and following day if Monday is a national
holiday. |
| Getting There |
7 min. by bus from JR Motowa Nishi Station |
| Phone |
0143-59-4922 |
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| Muroran
Youth Science Museum - |
| This museum is a wonderful experience for all the family with various
exhibits of new scientific and technological discoveries. There are
approximately 1 000 exhibits to see all with simple explanations
even for the layman. The museum also incorporates a 10-metre dome-shaped
planetarium where astronomical phenomena and other mysteries are
reproduced and explained. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
10 min. walk from JR Muroran Station |
| Phone |
0143-22-1058 |
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| Tokkarisho
Scenic Area - |
This area is famous purely for its natural beauty. The area
is comprised of many grass covered cliffs, Itanki Beach and the
waters of the Pacific Ocean. The word Tokkarisho is derived from
the Ainu language meaning “many stone seal” and indeed some of the
rock formations resemble the sea life. The area has been featured
as the backdrop to many Japanese television drama and movies. Top
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| Closed |
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