Notsuke Peninsula 野付半島

The Notsuke Peninsula is more than just a sandspit sticking out into the deep waters of the Nemuro Strait. This narrow strip of land provides a unique ecosystem for plants, wildfowl and sealife. Visit the peninsula to get away from the regular tourist trails and admire the stunning vistas of the Shiretoko Mountains and Kunashiri Island at the same time.

The area can be accessed by driving 30 minutes from Nakashibetsu.

Nakashibetsu Airport has direct flights to Sapporo and Tokyo. A night bus from Sapporo takes about seven hours. From Nakashibetsu, hire a car and drive 30 minutes to the peninsula entrance.

The Notsuke Peninsula is 26 kilometers long, so make sure you take plenty of time to enjoy the drive. The peninsula narrows so that you are driving right next to Odaito Bay on one side and Nemuro Strait on the other. Drive past a dramatic landscape of sunken forests, grazing deer, wildfowl and native flowers on your way to the Notsuke Hanto Nature Center. Park here and go inside to learn more about this fascinating area, or take a walk further out to admire the nature up close.

If the idea of zooming across a very shallow bay in a fishing boat appeals to you, try one of the excellent Bekkai Kankousen cruises from nearby Odaito. It's also a good way to see the birdlife and the cute harbor seals popping their heads out of the waters.