Hokkaido, surrounded by the sea and vast nature, is home to capes offering spectacular seasonal views, from sunrises to drifting sea ice. Some spots even offer chances to see wildlife like seals, sea otters, dolphins, and whales. Here are our top 10 recommended capes located at the very edges of this expansive island!

Located at the southern end of the Hidaka Mountains, often called the backbone of Hokkaido, this cape juts out south into the Pacific Ocean. It's known for its strong winds, with over 270 days a year experiencing winds of 10 meters per second or more. From the cape, you can often see groups of Kuril seals leisurely sunbathing on the reefs.

Located at 45°31'22" North latitude, this is truly the "top" of Japan, its northernmost cape. On a clear day, you can see the silhouette of Sakhalin Island in the distance. The cape features the "Monument of the Northernmost Point of Japan," attracting many tourists from all over the country who aim to reach the top of Japan, making it a popular photo spot.

This cape juts out into the Sea of Japan from the northwestern part of the Shakotan Peninsula. It's a beautiful spot with a rugged landscape and the stunning blue sea, often described as "Shakotan Blue." A walking trail called "Charenka's Path" runs along the ridge to the tip, offering a magnificent view of the vast ocean. Nearby is Cape Shakotan, which overlooks the Shimamui Coast, one of Japan's 100 best beaches, and is also highly recommended.

As the easternmost cape of mainland Japan, it's famous for being the first place to see the sunrise. On New Year's Day, many tourists from all over the country visit Cape Nosappu to see the first sunrise of the year. It has Hokkaido's first Western-style lighthouse, established in July 1872. From the cape, you can observe sea otters in the summer, drift ice in the winter, and dolphins and whales from spring to early winter.

This scenic spot features a series of cliffs about 100 meters high, offering a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean from the observatory. The name Chikyu (meaning "Earth") comes from the Ainu word "chikep," which means "cliff." The lighthouse perched on the cliff was first lit on April 1, 1920, and plays a crucial role for ships navigating the coast.

This cape juts out from the southeast of Mount Hakodate and faces the Tsugaru Strait. From the sea-surrounded cliffs, you can get a panoramic view of the Tsugaru Strait, including the Tsugaru and Shimokita Peninsulas. At night, you can see the fantastical fishing lights of squid boats reflected on the water. There is also a "Hamanasu Park" where Rugosa roses, the flower of Hokkaido, bloom in summer, delighting visitors.

The area around this cape, which juts out into the Sea of Okhotsk, is an open pasture with a pastoral landscape, offering views of the Shiretoko Mountain Range in the distance. The winter scenery is also captivating, and it's a famous spot for viewing drift ice spreading across the horizon. It's a well-known tourist spot, famous as a filming location for commercials and movies.

This cape is located in Shari Town on the Shiretoko Peninsula and is part of the Shiretoko World Heritage site. You can enjoy beautiful sunsets and views of drift ice with the Utoro townscape and the Sea of Okhotsk below, making it a popular tourist spot.

This cape is located at the eastern end of the Kiritappu Peninsula in Hamanaka Town. Its official name is Cape Tofutsu. Wild sea otters breed in the area around the cape, and if you're lucky, you might be able to observe them from land.

This cape is located in Rumoi City, along the Ororon Line scenic route heading north. The sunset over the Sea of Japan is breathtaking and has been selected as one of the "100 Best Sunsets in Japan." You can also enjoy crab fishing on the surrounding rocky shores.

*All information is current as of January 2023. *Please note that all information is subject to change. Please check official websites for the latest details.