Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Located between the Shiretoko and Nemuro Peninsulas, the Notsuke Peninsula stretches like an arm into the Sea of Okhotsk. It is Japan's largest sand spit, extending about 26 km. A sand spit is a landform created by accumulated sand carried by ocean currents. Combined with the intricately complex coastline formed by current erosion, this geography is one of the factors that allows the Notsuke Peninsula to nurture diverse forms of life.

Around Golden Week (early May), sightseeing boats and clam digging experiences begin. In summer, wildflowers bloom profusely in the primeval flower gardens where alpine plants can be seen at low elevation, and seals can sometimes be spotted resting.

In spring and autumn, a traditional fishing method using wind power to pull nets catches rare Hokkai shrimp in the fishing grounds. Shrimp caught using this fishing technique, which has continued since the Edo period, have a clean taste with exceptional depth of flavor.

In autumn, when pampas grass flourishes, the fixed-net salmon fishing season begins. In winter, the inland sea freezes and drift ice arrives at the outer sea. Due to the geography where ocean currents flow into the Notsuke sea area, abundant plankton is carried in. Scallop fishing, a local specialty, takes place from November to May, and the high nutritional value of the waters produces large scallops.

Additionally, at the Nature Center located in the middle of the Notsuke Peninsula, visitors can relieve their travel fatigue with soft-serve ice cream or fresh milk produced in Betsukai Town.