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The Latest for 2023-2024: The best place to see the first sunrise of the year in Hokkaido, Japan! 10 recommended sunrise spots surrounded by nature
New Year's Day, which will soon arrive, is the first sunrise of the year! It is considered to be a time of celebration, as it is a time to ask the god of the year for happiness and a bountiful harvest for the year ahead. Here are some recommended spots to see the first sunrise of the year! Of course, you can usually see beautiful sunrises at these spots, so please use them as reference for your winter vacation.
- Cape Nosabu (Nemuro City), the earliest sunrise in Hokkaido
- Sunrise at the top of Japan "Cape Soya / Monument at the northernmost point of Japan (Wakkanai City)
- Moiwa and the Sapporo Moiwa Ropeway (Sapporo City), Japan's three newest night views and the first sunrise of the year
- Cape Chikyu Misaki (Muroran City), a scenic spot with sheer cliffs at sunrise
- Bihoro Pass (Bihoro Town): Sea of clouds and sunrise at a spectacular view under the sky
- Sunrise on the Betsukai Ice Plain "Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center (Betsukai Town)
- Taisetsu Sounkyo Kurodake Ropeway (Kamikawa Town)" for great views of Daisetsuzan and the first sunrise of the year
- Cape Erimo (Erimo Town): Dynamic rough waves and the sunrise from the tip of a rock
- Nostalgic townscape and the first sunrise "Otaru Tengu Ropeway and Ski Area (Otaru City)
- Cape Nodori (Abashiri City): Sunrise over the Sea of Okhotsk
- Other New Year's Eve & New Year's Day sunrise events!
1 " Cape Nosabu (Nemuro City)", the earliest sun rise in Hokkaido
Famous as the earliest spot to see the sunrise, Cape Nosabu is visited by many people every year to see the first sunrise of the year at the easternmost point of the mainland. The "Cape Nosabu Hatsu-nichi-mode (New Year's Day Pilgrimage to Cape Nosabu)" held on New Year's Day includes the distribution of commemorative ema (votive picture tablet) and the performance of the local entertainment "Nemuro Daiko (drum)". With the Northern Territories, including Kaigara Island, Crystal Island, and Kunashiri Island in the Chimai Archipelago floating hand in hand in front of you, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery as the sun rises.
Parking: Available
Address: Nosabu, Nemuro City
For details and map information of Cape Nosabu, click here.
Cape Nosabu Hatsu-nichi-mairi (First Day of New Year Pilgrimage to Cape N osabu)
5:30-7:30: Distribution of commemorative ema (votive picture tablet) for the first-day pilgrimage to Cape Nosappu
6:20- Performance of "Nemuro Daiko", a local performing art
For details of "Cape Nosabu Hatsu-nichi-mode" event, click here.
2 Sunrise at the top of Japan "Cape Soya / Monument at the northernmost point of Japan (Wakkanai City )
The "Monument to the Northernmost Point of Japan" is erected at the tip of Cape Soya, the top of Japan. Every year on New Year's Day, many people gather to watch the first sunrise at the northernmost point of Japan, and an event called "Hatsuhinode in Teppen" is held to warmly welcome visitors. A warmly lit bonfire and fireworks display will be held.
Address: Cape Soya, Wakkanai City
Click here for details and map information of "Cape Soya / Monument of Japan's Northernmost Point
First Sunrise in Teppen 2024
For more information on the "Hatsuhinode in Tepen 2024" event, click here.
3 Japan's New Three Greatest Night Views and the First Sunrise of the New Year "Mt. Moiwa, Sapporo Moiwa Ropeway (Sapporo City)
Moiwa, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Sapporo, Ishikari Bay on the Sea of Japan, and Mt. On New Year's Day, the "New Year's Day Sunrise Special Tour" is held as a special event, allowing visitors to enjoy the view and the sunrise at a time of day when they cannot normally see it. The sunrise in the clear winter air is spectacular.
Address: 5-3-7 Fushimi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
For details and map information on Mt. Moiwa and the Sapporo Moiwa-zan Ropeway, click here.
4 Sunrise at a scenic spot with sheer cliffs "Cape Earth (Muroran City)
Cape Chikyu Misaki (Muroran City) is one of the most scenic spots in Japan, with a series of precipitous cliffs of around 100 meters, and on a clear day, you can see the entire Pacific Ocean from the observation deck. It is also a popular spot for viewing the beautiful first sunrise of the year, and on New Year's Day, it is crowded with tourists from far and wide, as well as locals. The sunrise amidst the beautiful natural scenery is a spectacular sight.
Address: 4-77 Homoi Minamimachi, Muroran City
Click here for details and map information of Cape Earth.
Cape Chikyu Misaki First Sunrise
Click here for details of the "Cape Earth First Sunrise" event.
5 Sea of clouds and sunrise in a spectacular view "Bihoro Pass (Bihoro Town )
From the Bihoro Pass observatory, you can see Lake Kussharo, the largest caldera lake in Japan, below. In the distance, the Shiretoko mountain range and the peaks of the Taisetsu Mountains form a spectacular panorama. Many people gather here to see the sea of clouds in the early morning and the first sunrise on New Year's Day.
Address: Koume, Bihoro Town, Abashiri County
For more information about Bihoro Pass and map information, click here.
6 Sunrise on the Betsukai Ice Plain "Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center (Betsukai Town)
The Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center is a place where you can learn all about the natural attractions of the Notsuke Peninsula. On New Year's Day, an event titled "New Year's Sunrise Viewing Party in Nature Center" is held, and many people gather on the Notsuke Peninsula to welcome the beginning of the year.
Address: 63 Notsuke, Betsukai-cho, Notsuke-gun
Click here for details and map information of Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center.
First Sunrise Viewing Party
For more information on the "New Year's Sunrise Viewing Party" event, click here.
7 Great views of Daisetsuzan and the first sunrise "Daisetsuzan Sounkyo/Kurodake Ropeway (Kamikawa Town )
Daisetsuzan National Park is a series of 2,000-meter-high mountains. Each has its own unique charm, making this mountain range of endless interest for climbers. The Kurodake ropeway takes you to the top of the Daisetsuzan Mountains, where you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the mountain range. On New Year's Day, you can see the first sunrise from the fifth station as a special operation.
Address: Aza Sounkyo, Kamikawa Town
Click here for details and map information of "Taisetsu Sounkyo/Kurodake Ropeway".
8 The dynamic rough waves and the sunrise rising from the tip of a rock "Cape Erimo (Erimo Town )
Cape Erimo is a place where you can experience the drama of nature in all its grandeur. You can see the Hidaka Mountains, called the backbone of Hokkaido, gradually drop in elevation and sink into the Pacific Ocean. The first sunrise of the year amidst the dynamic scenery of rough seas is also very impressive.
Address: Cape Erimo, Erimo-cho, Horosen-gun
For details and map information on Cape Erimo, click here.
9 Nostalgic townscape and the first sunrise "Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway (Otaru City)
This is a spot where you can enjoy the beautiful night view of Otaru, which looks like it is studded with jewels. From the ropeway or the top of the mountain, you can see Otaru Port, Ishikari Bay, and on a clear day, the Shakotan Peninsula and the Shotsubetsu mountain range in the distance. On the morning of New Year's Day, a ropeway operates from 6:00 am. You can see the first sunrise from the observatory at the top of the mountain and pay a visit to Tenguyama Shrine, the highest shrine in Otaru, for New Year's prayers.
Address: 2-16-15 Mogami, Otaru City
For more information about the Otaru Tengu Ropeway and map information, click here.
10 Sunrise on the Sea of Okhotsk "Cape Nodori (Abashiri City )
A cape jutting out into the Sea of Okhotsk, this is a spot where visitors can enjoy nature and the view, with only a lighthouse and an administrative office at the tip of the cape. To the west is Lake Notoriko and the coast of Tokoro-cho, to the north is the Sea of Okhotsk, and to the east is the Shiretoko mountain range in the distance. The sunrise over the Sea of Okhotsk is spectacular.
Address:Bimisaki, Abashiri City
Click here for details and map information of "Cape Nodori
Other New Year's Eve & New Year's Day sunrise events!
1 The 37th Kita no Daimonji (Kamifurano Town)
A New Year's Eve event held at the snow-covered Hinodeyama Lavender Supporting Area in Kamifurano Town overlooking Kamifurano Town. Mikami fire runners transfer the fire from one to another, and the character for "dai" set up in Hinode Park floats on the snow-covered dark slope. There will also be fireworks and performances by Ansei Taiko drummers.
Address: Hinode Park, No. 27, East 1st Line North, Kamifurano Town
For more information on the 37th Kita no Daimonji event, please visit
2 New Year's Day Cruise on the Garinko (Monbetsu City )
A special cruise will be offered at the beginning of the year 2024 to see the first sunrise of the year from the Garinko. The unobstructed view of the ocean makes it the perfect place to watch the sunrise over the vast expanse of water. The sea is the perfect place to watch the sunrise over the vast expanse of ocean, and the sea breeze will offer a different experience from watching the sunrise on land.
Address: 1 Ocean Park, Monbetsu City
For more information about the "New Year's Day Cruise on the Garinko," please visit
3 Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum New Year's Day Sunrise Viewing (Abashiri City )
The Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum observation terrace and other areas are temporarily open so that visitors can see the first sunrise of the year. Visitors can enjoy the first sunrise from the terrace, which offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Lake Abashiri, Lake Notori, Lake Toto, Lake Mokoto, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Shiretoko mountain range, and the mountain range of Akan.
Address: Tentozan Observation Deck, Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum, 244-3 Tentozan, Abashiri City
Click here for details of the "Okhotsk Drift Ice Pavilion: First Sunrise Viewing" event.
All information is current at the time of publication in December 2023.
All information is subject to change. Please check the official website for details.