After enjoying the Sakura Festival in Matsumae Town, we stopped by Gokatteya Honpo, famous for its yokan (sweet bean jelly) in Esashi in time for the "Hokuto Sakura Corridor," and then circled the Watashima Peninsula before returning to Hakodate.
Due to time constraints, I could not go sightseeing in Esashi Town, but I did stop by Shirahura (Takise Beach) in Otobe Town, which was briefly mentioned in the travel guidebook "Rurubu" and has a superb view.
Click here for more information about cherry blossom lighting up in Hokuto City.
Sirafura means "white slope" in the Ainu language, and a white shoreline about 500 meters long and 15 meters high extends from about the border between Esashi Town and Otobe Town.
Although the view is spectacular, it is recommended to use Google Maps because the car navigation system does not show the location due to the local nature of the area.
(1) Shirafura viewpoint (292 Takise, Otobe-cho, Ershi-gun, Hokkaido)
Shirafura can be viewed from above. The contrast of green, white, and blue makes the view of Shirafura even more spectacular.
Unfortunately, clouds appeared at the right time to take pictures, but the colors were vibrant in the selfies.
There is a well-maintained path down from the observatory, but it was prohibited to use at that time.
(2) Shirafura and Kuguriwa parking lot (72 Takise, Otobe-cho, Ershi-gun, Hokkaido)
It is about 700 meters from the parking lot to Shirafura.
It was late in the evening and the tide was rising, so we decided not to go as far as Shirafura.
I went through Kuguri Iwa, which also has a little white shoreline.
I thought the white color would be beautiful in the daytime on a clear day.
It is also possible to reach the shoreline from the south side (130 Gorinzawa-cho, Esashi-cho, Hiyama-gun, Hokkaido).
From here, it is possible to see Shirafura as soon as you reach the coastline, but you need to cross a creek that borders Ezashi Town and Otobe Town.
The creek is small and the current is not too swift, but please note that you do so at your own risk.
(Extra)
I found "Ayu Ayu" at Gokkatteya Honpo. In Honshu, it is called "Ayu-monaka," and there are also ayu in Hokkaido, but I guess ayu is not so famous.
Gokenya Honpo has a parking lot, but it is not located in an easily recognizable place, and most people parked on the street. We parked at the factory-like area (with gravel) in the back, but please be careful if you are visiting.
