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Glamping by the Sea! Discover Kamome Island in Southern Hokkaido, One of Japan's Best Sunset Spots
Kamome Island in Esashi Town is a small island connected to the mainland by a breakwater. With a circumference of about 2.6 km and an elevation of about 30 meters, it seems to spread out over the sea as if protecting the town of Esashi. Kamome Island is truly the symbol of Esashi, and it's full of historical spots. Why not take a stroll around it?
You can walk to Kamome Island as it's connected to the Esashi town center. A full loop around the island takes only about an hour on foot, making it the perfect distance for sightseeing.
Kamome Island is one of the cultural assets included in the Esashi Town story, "Esashi in May is more vibrant than Edo - A town breathing the prosperity of the herring fishery," which was designated as a Japan Heritage site in 2017. The island is dotted with several cultural properties. For example, as soon as you step onto the island, you'll see a large rock and a red torii gate sitting in the sea.
This is the giant rock known as "Heishi-iwa," which appears in the "Orii Legend" of Esashi. The 30-meter-long shimenawa (sacred rope) is said to be re-tied by young local fishermen during the "Kamome Island Festival" held every July.
As you venture further into the island, a small shrine will catch your eye. This is "Itsukushima Shrine," founded in 1615. The chozuishi (water basin stone) and stone torii gate within its precincts are also cultural properties.
You can also find other cultural properties scattered around, such as the "Staircase Ruins" and the "Site of Esashi Merchants' Banquets." They blend so naturally into the landscape that many people might not even notice them. If you're interested in history, we recommend doing some research beforehand.
At the open area on the summit of Kamome Island, you'll find the "Kamome Island Lighthouse." While not a cultural property, it's a popular spot for taking commemorative photos.
And now, a new initiative is taking place here: "Kamome Island Marineping." You can enjoy glamping and marine experiences in a 6-meter-diameter dome tent set up next to the lighthouse.
This event first launched in 2021 and ran until October 24. It is scheduled to be held regularly every year from spring to autumn from 2022 onwards, so if you're interested, please check the website below.
With new ways to have fun, Kamome Island is set to become an even more popular spot.
▼For more details, please see the Domingo spot page
Kamome Island
＜Kamome Island Marineping＞
Official Website: https://marineping.esashi.town
＜Interview Cooperation & Thumbnail Photo Provided by＞
Oiwake Tourism Division, Esashi Town Office
Location: 193-1 Nakauta-cho, Esashi-cho, Hiyama-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0139-52-1020 (Main)
Official Website: https://www.hokkaido-esashi.jp
You can walk to Kamome Island as it's connected to the Esashi town center. A full loop around the island takes only about an hour on foot, making it the perfect distance for sightseeing.
(Photo courtesy of: Oiwake Tourism Division, Esashi Town Office)
Kamome Island is one of the cultural assets included in the Esashi Town story, "Esashi in May is more vibrant than Edo - A town breathing the prosperity of the herring fishery," which was designated as a Japan Heritage site in 2017. The island is dotted with several cultural properties. For example, as soon as you step onto the island, you'll see a large rock and a red torii gate sitting in the sea.
This is the giant rock known as "Heishi-iwa," which appears in the "Orii Legend" of Esashi. The 30-meter-long shimenawa (sacred rope) is said to be re-tied by young local fishermen during the "Kamome Island Festival" held every July.
As you venture further into the island, a small shrine will catch your eye. This is "Itsukushima Shrine," founded in 1615. The chozuishi (water basin stone) and stone torii gate within its precincts are also cultural properties.
You can also find other cultural properties scattered around, such as the "Staircase Ruins" and the "Site of Esashi Merchants' Banquets." They blend so naturally into the landscape that many people might not even notice them. If you're interested in history, we recommend doing some research beforehand.
At the open area on the summit of Kamome Island, you'll find the "Kamome Island Lighthouse." While not a cultural property, it's a popular spot for taking commemorative photos.
And now, a new initiative is taking place here: "Kamome Island Marineping." You can enjoy glamping and marine experiences in a 6-meter-diameter dome tent set up next to the lighthouse.
(Photo courtesy of: Oiwake Tourism Division, Esashi Town Office)
This event first launched in 2021 and ran until October 24. It is scheduled to be held regularly every year from spring to autumn from 2022 onwards, so if you're interested, please check the website below.
With new ways to have fun, Kamome Island is set to become an even more popular spot.
▼For more details, please see the Domingo spot page
Kamome Island
＜Kamome Island Marineping＞
Official Website: https://marineping.esashi.town
＜Interview Cooperation & Thumbnail Photo Provided by＞
Oiwake Tourism Division, Esashi Town Office
Location: 193-1 Nakauta-cho, Esashi-cho, Hiyama-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0139-52-1020 (Main)
Official Website: https://www.hokkaido-esashi.jp
Writer Profile
Hokkaido Tourism Camera-Writer
Team Buchineko
We are 'Team Buchineko,' a group with many connections to tourist spots and facilities in Hokkaido. Even things that seem ordinary to us living in Hokkaido are wonderful resources. We will continue to share the charm of this amazing prefecture.
