Shimamui Coast
島武意海岸
After passing through a small tunnel built in the Meiji era, you suddenly reach a bay of Shakotan Blue water and rock formations, one of Japan’s 100 Selected Beaches (Nihon Nagisa 100).
Shimamui Coast lies at Shakotan Cape on the northeastern tip of the Shakotan Peninsula. From the parking lot, walk through a dim tunnel about 30 metres long, built in the Meiji era to transport herring. At the exit, a bay framed by cliffs opens up. The water shifts from clear to deep blue, and strange rock formations, including the Byōbu-iwa (Folding Screen Rock), stand in the sea. It is one of Japan’s 100 Selected Beaches. The viewing platform is right at the tunnel exit. The steep path down to the shore takes about 30 minutes round trip and is physically demanding. Entry is free. Many sea urchin rice bowl restaurants cluster around Iruka Fishing Port nearby, and visitors often combine it with Cape Kamui on a day trip around Shakotan.
Opening hours
All day (may close in winter)
Nearby sights
- Cape Kamui
- Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery
- Mount Tengu
- Funami-zaka Slope
- Otaru Sankaku Market
- Otaru City General Museum
- Former Aoyama Villa
- Former Temiya Line