Mt. Tento is said to be so beautiful that climbing it feels like ascending into the heavens. You can also enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the Sea of Okhotsk and the mountains of Shiretoko.
As it flows south from the Amur River into the Sea of Okhotsk, the freshwater freezes and expands. The Okhotsk coast is the southernmost point where the sea freezes, and Abashiri is located at 44 degrees north latitude. The icebreaker ship “Aurora” offers drift ice sightseeing.
Two bridges are built across the Ondo Seto between Ondo and Kure City on the mainland, which was opened by Kiyomori Taira, who built Itsukushima Shrine (Miyajima), and many ships pass through the narrow strait. In Ondo, where one of the best natural landscapes of the Seto Inland Sea is woven, time moves at a leisurely pace, and the scent of the sea, the sound of waves, wind, and ships will captivate your heart.
The highest mountain on Kurahashi Island, a 400-meter-high Mt. Hiyama. Drive or ride your bike to the seventh station, then walk for 10 minutes. From the top, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea all to yourself.
The dynamic scenery created by river erosion, such as the scenic and natural monument Genbikei Gorge, offers a wealth of attractions for the traveller.
Lake Towada broke down, and the Oirase Gorge was created. There are 14 waterfalls in the mountain stream that continues for 14km, and about 300 kinds of moss inhabit the area.
Ryuo Mountain Resort in Yamanouchi is a resort complex offering glamping, herb gardens, and cafés. Visitors may take the world’s largest 166-seat ropeway to “SORA terrace” at the top of the mountain, where they can enjoy a panoramic view that stretches 1,770 meters above sea level. When conditions are favorable, the entire area can be enveloped in a sea of clouds, offering a fantastic and magical view of the world. The morning sun rising above the sea of clouds is a truly unforgettable sight.
Due to its high altitude and dramatic night-day temperature shifts, there is always a high likelihood of cloud formation around the village of Hakuba, and there are several spots for viewing this sea of clouds in the mountains, such as in the Nodai area and the Donguri Panorama Observation Deck in the Kurashita area. At Kitaone Kogen Morgenrot, there is a tour that takes visitors up the mountainside at dawn by cable car. With some luck, you may be able to catch an incredible sight: a sea of clouds colored soft shades of red by the fiery rising sun.
The “Shimanami Sea Route” connects Onomichi City and Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture. This sea route was also developed as Japan’s first bicycle path that crosses the straits. It has been selected as one of the “Seven Greatest Cycling Routes in the World” by America’s CNN, and has attracted the attention of cyclists from all over the world. With little traffic, the course is safe even for beginners and is popular as a spot to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
There are three remote islands in Aichi Prefecture: Himakashima, Shinojima, and Sakushima, and they are known as islands that can be reached in a day trip from Nagoya. Himakajima is known as the “octopus island,” where octopus objects can be found throughout the town, and a variety of octopus dishes can be eaten. On the other hand, Shinojima Island is famous for tai and puffer fish, and is closely associated with the Ise Grand Shrine, as goheidai (salted tai) are offered to the shrine every year.
