Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Designated as a special area within Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park, Kamome Island is a symbolic landmark of Esashi, where visitors can experience the legacy of the warship Kaiyo Maru, Japan Heritage history, and one of Japan’s 100 Best Sunsets.

Kamome Island is a small island with a circumference of about 2.6 km, featuring a flat plateau rising about 30 m above sea level. At the entrance stands a full-scale replica of the Kaiyo Maru, a former shogunate warship that ran aground and sank off the coast of Esashi in 1868. Walking along the island’s promenade, visitors are surrounded by the fresh scent of the sea and a gentle ocean breeze, creating a refreshing sense of openness. Along the way appears Heishi Rock, a striking natural formation towering over 10 meters high, where the raw power of nature can be felt up close.

The island is also home to the chalk-white Kamome Island Lighthouse, certified as a “Lighthouse of Romance” in 2018 and beautifully set against the sky and sea. From here, visitors can enjoy a sunset recognized as one of Japan’s 100 Best, with the horizon glowing orange and blending into the tranquil island landscape. In summer, a swimming beach opens and various marine activities are offered. While strolling the walking paths, echoes of the once-thriving herring fishery and legends of Minamoto no Yoshitsune can still be felt. Kamome Island, where history, nature, and storytelling quietly coexist, is a Japan Heritage destination not to be missed when visiting Esashi.