Ororon Line Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: Rumoi, Mashike and a Sea of Japan Sunset

The Ororon Line is the coast road up the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido, and its southern third, from Rumoi down through Mashike to Ishikari, makes an easy day trip from Sapporo. You drive up on the expressway, then come back down the coast with the sea on your right: a seaside cape, an old herring town with Japan's northernmost sake brewery and sweet shrimp on rice, a hot spring looking over the water, a waterfall that runs into the sea, and a sunset at the end. I drove this from Sapporo in a day, and this is the route.

The name comes from the "ororon" call of the common murre, a seabird that breeds on Teuri Island off this coast.

1What is the Ororon Line?

The Ororon Line is the nickname for the roads, mostly Routes 231 and 232, that run along the Sea of Japan coast from Otaru to Wakkanai. It is not an official name, and sometimes it means the stretch starting from Ishikari. The whole way, you have the open sea beside you, coastal views that change with the season, and plenty of places to eat seafood.

This page covers the southern third, between Rumoi and Ishikari. For the rest of the way north to Rishiri views and Cape Soya, see my Wakkanai guide.

Sapporo to Wakkanai by Car: The Ororon Line Coast Road to Cape SoyaDriving from Sapporo to Wakkanai up the Ororon Line, the Sea of Japan coast road, from a Sapporo local who did it: the stops, the closest view of Rishiri Island, sunset at Cape Noshappu, and Cape Soya and the White Road the next morning.

Still deciding where to go? I compare all the day trips I recommend from Sapporo in this guide.

Day Trips from Sapporo: A Local's Guide to Where to GoThe best day trips from Sapporo, chosen by a local who drives them: Otaru, Jozankei, Noboribetsu, Shakotan, Lake Toya and Biei, with drive times, train options and the best season for each.

2Driving from Sapporo to Rumoi

Rumoi is about two and a half hours from Sapporo including breaks. Take the Do-o Expressway toward Asahikawa; at Fukagawa JCT, keep left for Rumoi, and leave at Rumoi IC. Iwamizawa SA and Sunagawa SA, the northernmost service area in Japan, are good places to stop on the way; at Sunagawa, try the gelato from Iwase Farm.

In late October, when I drove it, this put me in Ishikari at sunset. In summer the sun sets around 19:00, so start later or linger on the coast. Rumoi's Cape Ogon is also known for its sunsets, so you could also drive the coast north first and time your arrival in Rumoi for the evening.

3A local's one-day route on the Ororon Line

This is the order I drove, leaving Shin-Sapporo at 8:00.

The times above are for autumn. In July the sun sets around 19:15, so to see it from Atsuta, leave Sapporo about two hours later or take longer in Mashike.

Roadside Station Rumoi

Rumoi is known for herring and herring roe, and the roadside station sells them as souvenirs; herring simmered in sweet soy sauce is good as it is or on soba. It is also known for its "too firm pudding", sold from a vending machine for 500 yen.

The building is open from 9:00 to 17:00, and the free car parks hold over 200 cars. From Rumoi IC, go straight and turn left across the bridge.

Cape Ogon, Rumoi

Cape Ogon is five minutes away around the harbor. Not to be confused with the cape of the same name in Shakotan, it is a rocky shore looking out over the Sea of Japan, one of the most popular viewpoints on the Ororon Line. Steps lead up to a peace monument on the hill above, with an even wider view. The free car park, right in front, holds 20 to 30 cars.

Cape Ogon in Rumoi: Sunset over the Sea of JapanA local's guide to Cape Ogon in Rumoi on the Ororon Line, one of Japan's 100 best sunset spots: the rocky shore, the view from the peace monument above, parking and how to get there from Sapporo.

Mashike: herring town, sweet shrimp and sake

Mashike is about 30 minutes down the coast; at the T-junction, turn right off Route 231 toward the town hall. It grew rich on herring fishing in the late 1800s, and its old buildings still line the streets. Park at the old station and walk.

Mashike Station: the end of the JR Rumoi Line, closed in 2016, has been restored to look as it did when it opened.

Fukuyoshi: Mashike is famous for its shrimp, sweet shrimp and botan shrimp, and its scallops. I had the two-topping bowl of sweet shrimp and scallops: both were soft and sweet, and the miso soup was full of shrimp flavor. Its own car park is small, so park at the old station.

Fukuyoshi in Mashike: Sweet Shrimp and Scallops on RiceA local's guide to Fukuyoshi in Mashike on the Ororon Line: sweet shrimp and scallop bowls, the menu, where to park and how to get there from Sapporo.

Kunimare Sake Brewery: Japan's northernmost sake brewery, in a Hokkaido Heritage building. Besides sake it sells Mashike souvenirs, and you can fill a bottle with spring water outside. The shop is open from 9:00 to 17:00, with free tastings until 16:30, and has a free car park for 30 cars.

Iwao Onsen Attamaru

About 20 minutes down Route 231, turn left (inland) and climb a short hill. This small hot spring has just one indoor and one outdoor bath and no sauna, but it sits on a rise, so you look out over the Sea of Japan. The baths are separate for men and women, and there are no towels to rent, so bring your own. Its restaurant is closed for now, so eat in Mashike.

• 500 yen adults
• 11:00–21:00 (last entry 20:15); closed on the third Thursday of the month, and for winter from December to March
• Free parking for 42 cars

Iwao Onsen Attamaru: A Small Hot Spring Above the Sea of JapanA local's guide to Iwao Onsen Attamaru in Mashike on the Ororon Line: a small hot spring on a rise looking over the Sea of Japan, price (500 yen), hours, winter closure and what to bring.

Shirogane Falls

Ten minutes on, this waterfall about 25 meters high runs straight down the rock into the Sea of Japan, where it meets the waves. It is quiet, and the sound of the water is relaxing; in winter the whole fall freezes into a giant icicle. There is a car park with toilets.

Just before the falls, the Cape Ofuyu observatory has a fine view; its road is open from late April to mid-October.

Roadside Station Ishikari Airodo Atsuta

About an hour down the coast (Hamamasu Central Park, on the way, is a good break with toilets), this roadside station has a third-floor lounge and terrace looking out over the Sea of Japan. When I was there it was just about sunset, and the sun going down into the sea was beautiful.

The building is open 9:30–19:00 from June to August (9:30–18:00 in spring and autumn, 10:00–16:00 from November to March); the toilets and car park are open 24 hours. The second-floor food stalls open only from April to October, and the outdoor balcony on the third floor closes in winter. In July the sun sets after the building closes, so watch from the car park, the Atsuta lookout (7 minutes' walk) or Cassiopeia Hill.

Roadside Station Ishikari Airodo Atsuta: Sea of Japan SunsetsA local's guide to Roadside Station Ishikari Airodo Atsuta on the Ororon Line: the third-floor lounge and terrace over the Sea of Japan, sunset with Cassiopeia Hill nearby, hours, winter closures and parking.

Cassiopeia Hill

Fifteen minutes south, turn right off the coast road and climb a side road to this hill above the sea. Away from the main road, it is a quiet place for the sunset. There is a car park for about 15 cars and nothing else, not even toilets.

On the way back into Sapporo, Banya no Yu in Ishikari is a hot spring whose capybara soaks in its own bath.

Banya no Yu: A Brown Hot Spring and a Bathing Capybara in IshikariA local's guide to Banya no Yu on the Ishikari coast: the brown, source-flowing water, the capybara that soaks in a hot spring, the sauna and sea-view lounge, price, hours and parking.

4Ororon Line in winter

From November to April the Sea of Japan coast gets heavy snow and strong wind, and Route 231 should be treated as a winter road. The Iwao hot spring closes for the winter, and the food stalls at Airodo Atsuta close from November to March. I would plan this trip for April to October.

5FAQ about an Ororon Line day trip from Sapporo

Q1. What is the Ororon Line?

The nickname for the coast roads, mostly Routes 231 and 232, along the Sea of Japan from Otaru to Wakkanai.

Q2. Can you do the Ororon Line as a day trip from Sapporo?

The southern part, from Rumoi to Ishikari, yes: about ten and a half hours, as above. All the way to Wakkanai needs at least a night.

Q3. How far is Rumoi from Sapporo?

About two and a half hours by car, on the Do-o Expressway and the Fukagawa-Rumoi Expressway.

Q4. Where can I see the sunset on the Ororon Line?

Roadside Station Ishikari Airodo Atsuta, Cassiopeia Hill, and Cape Ogon in Rumoi.

Q5. What should I eat in Mashike?

Sweet shrimp and scallops, for example on rice at Fukuyoshi, and sake from the Kunimare brewery.