| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Contact | 014 642-1459 |
| Notes | Shinto shrine |
| Location / Getting There | The shrine is located on the coast of Hidaka in the south east of Hokkaido. The shrine is only really accessible by car. It is a 5 minute drive east from the town of Shizunai. 72 Higashishizunai, Shinhidaka, Hidaka District, Hokkaido 059-2561 |
Kotohira-Jinja Shinto Shrine was first built during the first year of the Ansei era. The Ansei era spanned for six years from November 1854 through to March 1860. It was listed as a village shrine in the 9th year of the Meiji era in 1876, and the name was changed to its current name in 1952. This area and shrine was visited by Matsuura Takeshirō. He was a famous Japanese explorer, cartographer, writer, painter, priest, and antiquarian. In the early Meiji period he was an official in the Hokkaidō Development Commission. On the grounds you can find numerous monuments and statues that are historical sites.
The shrine can be found on the left hand side (if coming from Sapporo), along route 235. This long and winding road follows the coastline all the way down to Cape Erimo. The shrine is noticeable from its numerous tori gates which lead back to the shrine itself. There is a small drive way area for parking. The grounds are nice to walk around. You can get the nice ocean breeze as well. The deity for this shrine is Emperor Sujin. His reign was from 97BC to 30BC. This is one of the many shrines that line this long coastal road.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1000 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 - 15:00 Lunch 17:00 - 21:00 Dinner *Monbetsu race track location 15:00 - 21:00 |
| Closed | Tuesdays *Monbetsu racetrack is open only during race days |
| Contact | 0146-22-7717 Urukawa location 0144-84-3668 Monbetsu racetrack 0146-42-6111 Shizunai location 01456-7-8155 Hidaka location https://lumbinicafe.com/ |
| Notes | Nepalese curry and soup curry store, no smoking |
| Location / Getting There | 4 locations on south west coast of Hokkaido. They can all be found on the main coastal road, on route 235. Please see google maps below. |
Lumbini is a small chain of restaurants that can be found on the south eastern coast of Hokkaido. There is a restaurant in one of the main coastal cities, all on the way down to Cape Erimo. These city towns include Hidaka, Urakawa, and Shizunai. At these restaurants you can enjoy some cuisine with the taste of Asia such as India and Nepal. Many of the ingredients mirror those of Himalayan villages. Many of the spices used in their dishes are imported directly from India and made to perfection by the trained chefs, to give their dishes and authentic taste.
The menu has a wide variety of dishes such as tomato-based, spinach-based, onion-based, and bean-based curries. Lumbini also has soup curries, noodles, salads, drinks, and desserts. The menus at each restaurant are generally the same with set meals and lunch sets, though they each have their own individual special meals to enjoy. All these meals are very affordable at around ¥1000. Side dishes include delicious naan, and salads. The drink menu includes lassis, and ‘chia’ which is a Nepalese tea.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-582-0050 |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, seal watching, walking trails, parking available, photography spot |
| Location / Getting There | From Sapporo the cape is about a 4 hour drive down the south coast. There is also a return express bus from Sapporo station. JR Hokkaido Bus (High Speed) to Erimo, (reservation required until the day before departure). *JR Sapporo Station 16:30 departure-Erimo 20:30 arrival *Erimo 5:30 departure-JR Sapporo Station 9:30 arrival Erimomisaki, Erimo, Horoizumi District, Hokkaido 058-0342 |
Cape Erimo is located on the south eastern point of Hokkaido. It is a fantastic place to visit and is famous for the ocean winds. Cape Erimo is one of the strongest wind regions in Japan. There are more than 260 days a year of winds blowing at speeds of 10 meters per second or more. With the waves crashing below and the scattered rocks trailing off to the horizon makes for a great sightseeing spot, and an equally good photography spot. For wildlife lovers, there is a seal colony which can be observed through a telescope and an abundance of sea birds circling the cliffs.
There is a walking trail down to the bottom of the cliffs. Here you can see Erimo Shrine which was built in 1814 to enshrine the god of food and safety. Also, down by the shrine you can observe the fisherman who collect seaweed from the beautiful, deep blue waters. It is possible to take a tour on one of the boats. Other points of interest include the Cape Erimo Lighthouse plus the observation deck and wind museum. Near the large parking area, you can find a souvenir store and a seafood restaurant. This is a fantastic place to wander the paths and enjoy the mist and sea air.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1000 |
| Opening Hours | Many stores in Hokakido Generally from 11:00 - 20:30 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | https://www.collagekids.nl/ |
| Notes | Ramen store chain, 11 stores in Sapporo, 1 store in Kutchan, 1 store in Abashiri, and 1 store in Wakkanai |
| Location / Getting There | Various locations in Sapporo (check google maps). Kutchan location is along main street in town. Abashiri store is in the center of town. Check the google maps at the end of article. |
Sanpachi Ramen is a big chain of ramen stores. The restaurants can predominately found in Sapporo, with eleven stores. Other ramen restaurants can be found in the town of Kutchan, Abashiri, Wakkanai, and the central city of Asahikawa. For those locations, see the maps at the end of the article. This large chain has the standard ramen dishes of miso, soy sauce, and shio (salt). The pork is not sliced like most other ramen restaurants, but diced into delicious pieces. Other styles include fried vegetable ramen, or a spicy hot ramen dish. Extras can be ordered.
Whatever dish you choose, they always present it with their signature ‘sanpachi’ fish cake on top. Ramen is never too expensive and Sanpachi is no exception. All the dishes are within the ¥1000 mark so you can get a filling dinner or lunch at a cheap price! The restaurants have a drink menu as well. There is soft drink as well as beer to be had. For those trying ramen for the first time, the miso always seems to be a favorite of most people, and be prepared for big servings. Ramen is filling to say the least but a favorite among locals especially. Enjoy!
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1000 |
| Opening Hours | Depends on store |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | https://www.yamaokaya.com/ |
| Notes | Ramen store, over 30 different stores in Hokkaido |
| Location / Getting There | There is a store in every main city throughout Hokkaido. Check google maps below. |
Ramen Yamaokaya is a huge chain of ramen restaurants all throughout Japan. There are hundreds of Yamaokaya restaurants. In Hokkaido there are over thirty that can be found in all the major cities and towns. Since the first opening in 2007, this company has continued to thrive. The restaurants are recognizable by their red facade. The soup at Yamaokaya is made of pork bones and water and is brewed for three days before arriving at the table. The green onions that are used in their bowl of ramen are freshly produced through contract farmers. With the selected noodles and specially marinated pork shoulder, it all combines to make for a nice bowl of ramen.
The cool thing about Yamaokaya is that they bring a special menu every month. These menus are in tandem with the changing of the seasons. At their stores, they also bring out special ramen sauces that can be purchased. They have been doing this ever since they first opened in 2007. The regular menu has 27 different types of ramen to choose from! Their specials on this menu include a premium soy sauce tonkatsu, a premium salt tonkatsu, and for those who like something a bit more fiery, an ultra spicy ramen. All the ramen dishes are relatively cheap and you can get a good feed for under ¥1000.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:30 Bench Time Cafe 11:00 - 20:30 Yakiton Hidaka (Yakitori Restaurant) 11:00 - 21:00 Restaurant Yamasho (Chinese Restaurant) |
| Closed | Thursdays - Restaurant Yamasho Tuesdays - Bench Time Cafe |
| Contact | 011-4647-3650 Bench Time Cafe 011-4647-2989 Yakiton Hidaka 011-4647-3369 Restaurant Yamasho |
| Notes | Rest area, photography spot, land mark, parking available, 3 restaurants under mural |
| Location / Getting There | On the south eastern coast of Hokkaido. The rest stop is a 15-minute walk from Seppu Station on the JR Hidaka Main Line, under the mural of a horse along National Route 235. It's a 6 minute drive from central Niikappu. 292 1 Seppucho, Niikappu, Niikappu District, Hokkaido 059-2412 |
Niikappu is a town and sub prefecture on the south coast of Hokkaido. The area is known mainly for its production of racehorses. You can find statues and symbols of horses all across the town. On the border of the town of Niikappu and along the ocean drive there you can see the Niikappu mural. It is easy to see and it’s also the mark for where the rest stop is. This area is home to three restaurants that are open for lunch and dinner. Travelers have the option of a coffee shop, Chinese, or BBQ.
The mural itself raises high on the cliff face and depicts three race horses charging along. This area is also a nice spot to take a break as it faces the ocean. The coffee shop ‘Bench Time’ has a western menu with curries and some ice-cream to enjoy. There is a bench out the front to sit and enjoy the sun. ‘Yakiton Hidaka’ is right next door and they have set meals which include a meat dish served with rice. They are open for dinner for those on a long drive. Lastly, Restaurant Yamasho is a Chinese restaurant that serves excellent meals. Enjoy a lunch or dinner and watch the sunset! The Niikappu Mural is handy spot to relax and grab a bite for those on driving down the coastal road.
