5 Best Sunrise & Sunset Spots in Eastern Hokkaido
Are you someone who chases the sunrise and sunset wherever you travel? Yes? I’m with you! I love watching the sky change its color as the sun moves in different cities around the world, as well as in my hometown. Here are the 5 most beautiful sunrise and sunset spots in the Eastern Hokkaido that I’ve loved while growing up in the region. And good news for travelers, you can visit all the places listed here for free! So here we go.
Sunrise
1. JEWELRY ICE in Toyokoro
From mid-January to late-February when the temperature hits lowest in a year, hundreds of shiny lumps of ice, called “jewelry ice,” appear on a beach in Toyokoro town. I would say this is the most difficult place in this list to catch the sun at the right time. You’ll have to wait for the sunrise in a windy, freezing cold beach in the middle of winter in Hokkaido. That sounds like a torture (and it certainly is), but I promise it’s worth the pain!
Each peace of ice has its unique shape the waves created, and reflects the sun light in different ways. The sunrise with jewelry ice here is just stunning. Find out more about the spot from this article! >> Jewelry Ice on Winter Beach
2. Lake Kussharo
The view of Lake Kussharo from Bihoro Pass is beautiful all year around. But my favorite time to make a visit here is a clear-sky early morning during summer, when there is a high chance of the lake being covered with a silky cloud veil.
This natural phenomena doesn’t happen too often - it depends on the temperature, humidity and all the weather condition. That’s why it attracts many nature photographers to make multiple trips up here. As the sun comes up, the entire lake changes its color every second. It feels like standing in a different planet. You have to give it a try, if you are around here in summer!
Find out more about how to see the cloud-covered lake in this article >> Paranomic View of Lake Kussharo with Cloud Sea
Of course, Lake Kussharo is no less beautiful even without the cloud. You can enjoy a panorama lake view at any time of the day, any time of the year!
Sunset
3. Sunflowers in Asahigaoka Park
Just a 10-min drive away from Memanbetsu Airport, a million of sunflowers bloom up in August and September. It is best to visit here at sunset to see a gorgeous panorama of golden flowers and the sun sinking behind. There is an observation deck next to the flower field where you can overlook Lake Abashiri, Mount Shari and Shiretoko Mountain Range in 360 degrees. This spot is so close to the airport that you could take a short detour to here before or after your flight.
4. Lake Saroma
Lake Saroma is one of the most famous sunset spots in Hokkaido. It is known for a spectacular scenery of the sunset coloring the sky with bright orange. This lake has been one of my family’s favorite places to spend weekends, since I was little. The picture above is me and my younger sisters from 2002!
You can see the sun touch the horizon and sink into the lake from pretty much anywhere by the lake, as there is nothing that would block the view along the lake, whose surrounding areas are protected as a nature reserve. But if you want a suggestion as to where you should be waiting for the sunset, Kimuaneppu Cape is a really nice location.
5. Road to the sky
The last sunset spot is a observation deck located at the end of a straight 28km-long road in Shari. As the road looks like leading up to the sky from the deck, apparently it has become a popular photo spot for tourists. Since it’s up on a hill with nothing around, it is also good for a panorama sunset view. Around the lookout are just fields after fields, and after fields. It’s really Hokkaido-like!
That was the 5 BEST sunrise and sunset spots in the Eastern Hokkaido! Make sure to visit some of these places on your next trip and enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Hokkaido :)