10 Things to Do in Esashi
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| 10 Things to Do in Esashi |
Esashi (枝幸町) is a picturesque coastal town in the Soya Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan. Renowned for its abundant seafood, the town is particularly famous for its horsehair crab, salmon, and scallops. The surrounding waters, enriched by marine plankton brought by drift ice from the southern Okhotsk Sea during winter, create ideal conditions for marine life. Esashi boasts one of Japan’s largest horsehair crab harvests, achieved through crab trap fishing. The town’s name originates from the Ainu word "Esaushi," meaning "cape" in a geographical sense.
For those planning to visit this scenic
coastal town to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Esashi:
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| Esashi (枝幸町) manhole covers |
1. Take a picture of the manhole covers of Esashi.
So far, I have seen 2 unique manhole covers. Both are commonly found around the
town.
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| Esashi Itsukushima Shrine |
2. Visit Esashi Itsukushima Shrine (枝幸厳島神社), the main
shrine of the town of Esashi. Open to visitors throughout the day, it's a peaceful
place to offer prayers and pay your respects. You can also receive a goshuin
(shrine seal) here.
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| Hotel New Kohrin |
3. Stay at Hotel New Kohrin (ホテル ニュー幸林) and dine at Umiake, also called Kaishu Restaurant (食事処海朱). It is known for its crab dishes, like crab curry. The sashimi and katsudon are also a must-try.
| Roadside Station "Marine Island Okashima" |
4. Make a stop at Roadside Station "Marine Island Okashima" (道の駅 マリーンアイランド岡島) and try the seafood curry set and the hotate curry. This roadside station is conveniently located along National Route 238. Before leaving, don't forget to get the roadside station stamp for your collection.
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| Utanobori Green Park Hotel |
5. Take a relaxing dip at the onsen of
Utanobori Green Park Hotel (うたのぼりグリーンパークホテル). You can stay overnight here or pitch a tent
at Utanobori Fureai no Mori Campsite (ふれあいの森キャンプ場).
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| Salmon Village Museum |
6. Visit the Salmon Village Museum (サケの里資料館). It’s a small facility located inland that provides plenty of information about the ecology of the salmon.
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| Usutaibe Senjoiwa Camping Ground |
7. Pitch a tent and stay overnight at
Usutaibe Senjoiwa Camping Ground (ウスタイベ千畳岩キャンプ場). It’s a nice camping area near the sea. The camping area has a
clean toilet and a garbage disposal area. You can use the park freely without
reservations.
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| Okhotsk Museum Esashi |
8. Discover the history and culture of Esashi at the Okhotsk Museum Esashi
(オホーツクミュージアムえさし). The museum features a variety of
exhibits showcasing the region's environment, its early inhabitants, and the
town's development over time.
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| Usutaibe Senjoiwa Rock |
9. Visit the stunning Usutaibe Senjoiwa Rock (ウスタイベ千畳岩), a site known for
its striking and uniquely shaped rock formations. The scenery here is
reminiscent of Senjojiki in Wakayama Prefecture. It’s an excellent spot to
catch a breathtaking sunrise. Additionally, its proximity to a campsite makes
it a perfect place for an overnight stay.
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| Mikasayama Observatory |
10. Climb Mt. Mikasa (三笠山) and take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the town and the Sea of Okhotsk from the Mikasayama Observatory (三笠山展望閣). Don’t miss the café inside the observatory, where you can try their unique blue Mystery Float—a one-of-a-kind treat!
I hope my list of the 10 Things to Do in Esashi gave you an idea and inspiration to visit this scenic coastal town in the Soya Subprefecture of Hokkaido.
#Esashi
#EsashiSoya
#EsashiHokkaido
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