There are fewer people here than at the really popular ski resorts, so you don’t have to keep stopping to avoid crowds, which is a big plus.
The lifts and facilities are pretty simple, but they’re perfectly usable and don’t feel too old.
The rest area and restaurant are about standard for a Japanese ski resort.
Nothing fancy, but good enough to warm up and recharge.
Seitsujiyama Observatory
A rare observatory integrated with a wedding venue, located on a low mountain with an elevation of Approx. 120 m. It offers a sweeping panorama of the dynamic Seto Ohashi Bridge stretching out to sea, the Shiwaku Islands made up of 28 large and small islands, and the townscape of Utazu. On clear days, you can even see the silhouettes of islands far in the distance.
It’s absolutely beautiful whether you come for the sunset or the night view! The climb isn’t too tiring, and the view is super wide open. Great place to just relax and enjoy the breeze.
Musunun Beach
A beach about Approx. 25 minutes by car from Miyakojima Airport, located directly opposite Kurima Bridge. “Musunun” means “insect repelling” in the Miyakojima language, and every spring, the sacred ritual “Musunun Ugan” is held to pray for a bountiful harvest and good health for the island.
I felt relaxed as soon as I got there. The water is crystal clear, and the beach is pretty clean too. Walking by the shore with the sea breeze feels really nice, and it doesn’t get too noisy.
Compared with beaches that are packed with tourists, this one has a quieter, more laid-back vibe.
Otaru City Nishin Goten (Herring Mansion)
Perched on a cape with sweeping views of Ishikari Bay near Otaru Aquarium, the Otaru City Nishin Goten is a former “banya” (a fishermen’s lodging and work hut) from the herring-fishing boom of the Meiji to Taisho eras. Originally built in Tomari Village, Furuu District in Nishi-Shakotan, it was relocated and restored here in 1958. Preserving the original form of a valuable Meiji-era wooden structure built over seven years using 540 tons of timber, it is designated a Tangible Cultural Property of Hokkaido.
The whole building feels wonderfully old-school. The moment you step in, it’s like you’re transported back to Hokkaido’s heyday.
You can see traces of the luxurious lifestyle from when the herring fishery was booming, and it has a real sense of history. It’s a decent-sized place, so take your time—you’ll spend a bit, but it never feels boring.
It’s usually not crowded, which makes it really comfortable to explore. If you’re into history or old architecture, this is definitely worth a stop.
