[Cape Chikyu in Muroran] Globe Looks Round from Chikyu-misaki Observation Deck

Cape Chikyu

Cape Chikyu (地球岬) is a scenic spot in the southernmost tip of Etomo Peninsula (絵鞆半島) in Muroran city, and is one of 3 major tourist attractions that the globe looks round in Hokkaido together with Cape Soya (宗谷岬) and Kaiyoudai (開陽台), and is one of 3 major secret capes in Hokkaido together with Cape Ofuyu (雄冬岬) and Cape Ochiishi (落石岬), too. It got the first place in "100 Nature Selections in Hokkaido (北海道の自然100選 * Asahi Shimbun, 1985)" and "You Chose Hokkaido Beauty Spots (あなたが選ぶ北海道景勝地 * Hokkaido Postal Service, 1986)". The first place attest the popular spot. More than 100,000 tourists come at present. Admmission free. A parking lot is free of charge.

The origin of the name is Chikepu (チケプ) that means "A sheer cliff" in Ainu language, and the Cape Chikyu was named after the similar pronunciation. * Chikyu means "The globe" in Japanese. But it was not named after the globe that looks round. A part of the sheer cliffs is the Cape Chikyu, and the Chikyu-misaki Lighthouse (チキウ岬灯台) is built on its tip. Chikyu-misaki Observation Deck (地球岬展望台) is built at about 120 m above sea level, and there are a public parking lot, a public restroom, food stalls and a globe-shaped telephone booth on the site, too. Poison Bun (毒まんじゅう) that is famous for Russian roulette-like bun, a grilled whelk skewer (ツブ焼き) and souvenirs are sold at the food stalls. But they close a business in a winter.

The site of 50 ha is conserved as Chikyu-misaki Park (地球岬緑地) around here, and a walk path with 2.1 km in total length is built near the Chikyu-misaki Observation Deck. Visitors can watch flowers such as Dianthus superbus and wild birds such as Falcon or Woodpecker while forest bathing through woods. It is a place of recreation and relaxation for Muroran citizen. Tokkarisho Lookout (トッカリショ), Kinbyobu (金屏風) and Charatsunai Observation Deck (チャラツナイ展望台) with a good view are relatively near here, too. By the way, Speaking of the Muroran, Muroran Yakitori (室蘭焼き鳥) and Curry Ramen (カレーラーメン) are famous. As for tasty restaurants in the Muroran, Yakitori-no-Ippei (やきとりの一平), Aji-no-Daio Muroran Head Office (味の大王 室蘭本店) Buroton (ブロートン), Handmade Sobadokoro En (手打ちそば処 縁) and Sobakiri Chiso (そば切り 馳走) are popular in particular. I ate the Muroran Yakitori and the Curry Ramen at Yakitori-no-Ippei and Aji-no-Daio Muroran Head Office, and those were tasty.

Tokkarisho Lookout

Tokkarisho is a beauty spot on the outer beach of Etomo Peninsula (絵鞆半島) in the south part of Muroran city, and the beautiful coastline and the blue sea can be viwed. Originally Ainu people called Txukarisho (トゥカリショ), and it means Earless Seal Rocks (アザラシ岩). A lot of earless seals used to live around here at that day. The Tokkarisho seems to be a corrupted form of the Txukarisho, and is located between Cape Chikyu (地球岬) and Itanki Beach (イタンキ浜), and cliffs, colors of grass and color of sea are great! I have never seen such a senery in Hokkaido. Visitors can walk a little to the Tokkarisho Beach (トッカリショ浜). In addition, sea bathing can be enjoyed in a summer. By the way, Kinbyobu (金屏風), one of 8 beauty spots in the Muroran, is close to here, too. Article is here

Charatsunai Observation Deck

Charatsunai Observation Deck (チャラツナイ展望台) is a beauty spot at about 80 m above sea level on the outer beach of Etomo Peninsula (絵鞆半島) in the south part of Muroran city, and is located between Cape Chikyu (地球岬) and Muroran City Office (室蘭市役所). The Charatsunai named after Chararuse-Nai (チャラルセ・ナイ) in Ainu language, and means "A stream flow like falls". There is still the stream actually. A monument for this place naming after is built on the site, too. The Charatsunai Observation Deck is not famous, so few people come. But a view with strange shaped rocks and blue sea is very good. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

MURORAN

Muroran (室蘭) that about 90,000 people live along Pacific Ocean is the 11th largest industrial city in Hokkaido, and is located in the central part of the Hokkaido. The city has a relatively calm climate, and it is cold with temperatures 20 degrees in a summer, and it is warm with temperatures -2 degrees in a winter. The Muroran mean "A place with a small downward slope" in Ainu language. Muroran Port (Another name: Hkucho Gulf) surrounded by Etomo Peninsula (絵鞆半島) is famous for forming a good natural harbor, and has been called "Iron Town" since a long time, and developed as a port town of heavy and chemical industries. There are factories of Nippon Steel Sumikin (新日鉄住金) and Japan Steel Works (日本製鋼所). As for Kanamoto (カナモト * the TSE First Section presentation) and Narasaki Industry (ナラサキ産業 * the TSE Second Section presentation), here is a establishment of their business place. Therefore the city is a few town that vistors can unusually enjoy a scenery of the factories in Hokkaido, and night views are popular, too. Article is here