Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Located between the Shiretoko Peninsula and the Nemuro Peninsula, the Notsuke Peninsula stretches out like an arm into the Sea of Okhotsk. It is the largest sand spit in Japan, with a total length of approximately 26 km.　*A sand spit is a landform created by sand carried by ocean currents and deposited over many years. The intricate coastline created by the erosion of ocean currents is one of the reasons why the Notsuke Peninsula is home to a diverse array of life.

In summer, seals can be seen resting and wildflowers bloom in the Notsuke Peninsula Wild Flower Garden. Generally, alpine plants can be seen on the plains, making this a favorite place for people of all ages.

Around GW, sightseeing boats and tidal fishing experiences begin. There are many riders, and at the Nature Center in the middle of Notsuke Peninsula, you can heal the fatigue of your trip with soft ice cream and fresh milk from Betsukai Town.

In spring and fall, fishing for the rare Hokkai striped shrimp, considered the red ruby of the sea, begins. This fishing is conducted using a traditional fishing method that has been in use since the Edo period (1603-1868). In order not to damage the algae that is the shrimp's home, the nets are towed by the force of the wind in the fishing grounds, so the fishing cannot be done even when there is no wind. Shrimp caught by this fishing method are very tasty and free of any off-flavor.

In autumn, silver grass blooms in profusion, and the salmon set-net fishing begins in the nearby fishing grounds.

In winter, the inland sea is frozen over and drift ice drifts onto the open sea. Notsuke's waters are shaped by the ocean currents, which carry a large amount of plankton with them. In addition, the drift ice also brings in a lot of nutrients.

From November to May, scallops, a local specialty, are fished in the surrounding waters. Because of the high nutritional content of the waters, scallops grow in shells as large as the palm of an adult male's hand.