Yukuru Viewpoint: The Closest Look at Rishiri Island from the Coast Road

By Chaporo, a Sapporo local Published
Yukuru Viewpoint: The Closest Look at Rishiri Island from the Coast Road

Quick answers

  • The point on the Ororon Line closest to Rishiri Island
  • Rishiri and Rebun across the sea on one side, the wetland on the other, almost nothing man-made
  • Only a parking space for about five cars, easy to miss
  • About 4.5 hours from Sapporo; 40 minutes or so before Wakkanai

Yukuru, on the Ororon Line south of Wakkanai, is the point on the coast road closest to Rishiri Island. It is only a parking space for about five cars and easy to miss, but the view is one of the best on the whole road.

Rishiri and Rebun

Rishiri Island across the sea from the Yukuru viewpoint, its peak in cloud

Facing north, you have the Sea of Japan and the islands of Rishiri and Rebun on your left and a wide wetland on your right, with almost nothing man-made in sight. On a clear day the islands stand out sharply against the sea.

A quiet stop

The straight coast road and the small parking space at Yukuru

Because it is so small, few people stop, and you can take your time.

Parking

A parking space for about five cars, and no other facilities that I saw.

How to get there

From Sapporo: about four and a half hours including breaks. Take the Do-o Expressway toward Asahikawa, keep left for Rumoi at Fukagawa JCT, leave at Rumoi IC and follow the coast road north (Route 232, the Ororon Line). Just before Roadside Station Teshio, turn left onto Prefectural Road 106, the coast road to Wakkanai. Fill up first: after the Seicomart at Teshio there are no shops or gas stations for over 60 km. Yukuru is further north on the same road, in the Bakkai area of Wakkanai.

From New Chitose Airport: add about half an hour; at Sapporo JCT keep right for Asahikawa.

Near Yukuru

At the end of the Ororon Line, Cape Noshappu is the place for the sunset over Rishiri and Rebun.

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. Cape Noshappu: Sunset Over Rishiri and Rebun in WakkanaiA local's guide to Cape Noshappu in Wakkanai, where the Ororon Line ends: the view of Rishiri and Rebun islands, sunset times by month, what to wear, and how to drive there from Sapporo.

FAQ about the Yukuru viewpoint

Q1. Where is the closest view of Rishiri Island on the Ororon Line?

At the Yukuru viewpoint on the Ororon Line, the point on the coast road closest to the island.

Q2. Is there parking?

Space for about five cars, and no other facilities that I saw.

Q3. Can you see Rebun Island too?

Yes, on a clear day, to the right of (north of) Rishiri.