Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Discover Cape Erimo, one of Japan’s best places to encounter wild harbor seals. This unique coastal destination offers a rare opportunity to observe them resting on rocky reefs throughout the year.

Located at the tip of Erimo Town, Cape Erimo is home to Japan’s largest resident population of harbor seals—the only seal species known to maintain a year-round presence along the Japanese coast. The rugged reefs extending from dramatic cliffs support approximately 1,000 individuals.

From the observation deck of the Cape Erimo Wind Museum, visitors can use telescopes to watch these marine mammals resting on the rocks amid white sea spray. The briny scent of the ocean breeze and the powerful rhythm of crashing waves create an immersive experience of Hokkaido’s untamed coastline.

From spring through early summer, the rocky shore welcomes a new generation of seals. Unlike species that give birth on drifting sea ice, harbor seal pups are born with their distinctive “Zenigata” (coin-shaped) markings, which inspired their Japanese name. Once threatened with extinction, their population has gradually recovered through long-term conservation efforts.

Regardless of the weather, visitors can enjoy safe and comfortable viewing from the observation facilities. Observing these wild animals offers a rare glimpse into the resilience of life along Hokkaido’s rugged coast.