Day Trips from SapporoCape Ogon in Rumoi: Sunset over the Sea of Japan
By Chaporo, a Sapporo local Published 
Quick answers
- A rocky cape over the Sea of Japan, chosen as one of Japan's 100 best sunset spots
- Climb the steps to the peace monument on the hill for a wider view
- Free car park for 20 to 30 cars across the road; the seaside park is open late April to mid-October
- About 2.5 hours from Sapporo via Rumoi IC
Cape Ogon in Rumoi (not to be confused with the cape of the same name in Shakotan) is a rocky shore looking out over the Sea of Japan, just off the Ororon Line coast road. In July the sun sets around 19:15.
Its name, "golden cape", comes from the shoals of herring that used to glow gold in the evening sun, and its sunsets were chosen as one of Japan's 100 best.
The view
Rocks line the shore, and the whole of the Sea of Japan opens up in front of you. Steps lead up to a peace monument, built in memory of three ships attacked off this coast in August 1945 while evacuating people from Sakhalin, on the hill above, with an even wider view.
Parking
A free car park for 20 to 30 cars is right across the road. The seaside park is open all day from late April to mid-October.
How to get there
From Sapporo: about two and a half hours including breaks. Take the Do-o Expressway toward Asahikawa, keep left for Rumoi at Fukagawa JCT and leave at Rumoi IC. Iwamizawa SA and Sunagawa SA, Japan's northernmost service area, are good stops; at Sunagawa, try the Iwase Farm gelato.
From New Chitose Airport: a little under three hours, on the same expressways via Sapporo JCT. From Rumoi IC, go straight and turn left across the bridge into the town; the cape is around the harbor.
Near Cape Ogon
Looking for the other Cape Ogon, in Shakotan?
Cape Ogon in Shakotan: Clear Blue Water and Where to ParkA local's guide to Cape Ogon in Bikuni, Shakotan: the cliffs and clear Shakotan blue water, where to park at the Shakotan Tourist Center, the 15-minute walk to the lookout tower, and how to get there from Sapporo.
Roadside Station Rumoi, five minutes away across the harbor, sells herring products and the "too firm pudding". Down the coast, Mashike has sweet shrimp and Japan's northernmost sake brewery.
Ororon Line Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: Rumoi, Mashike and a Sea of Japan SunsetSapporo to Rumoi and back down the coast: a local's day trip on the southern Ororon Line, with Cape Ogon, Mashike's old herring town, sweet shrimp and sake, a sea-view hot spring, Shirogane Falls and a Sea of Japan sunset.
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.
FAQ about Cape Ogon in Rumoi
Q1. Is Cape Ogon in Rumoi good for sunset?
Yes. Its sunsets are among Japan's 100 best.
Q2. Is there parking?
Yes, a free car park for 20 to 30 cars across the road; the seaside park is open from late April to mid-October.
Q3. How far is it from Sapporo?
About two and a half hours by car, via Rumoi IC.