Legend of Benkei and Beautiful View Make Idea for Benkei -Cape Benkei in Suttsu-

Cape Benkei (弁慶岬) is a scenic spot at about 50 m above sea level in Suttsu and is known for a good view. Visitors can see complex rocky shore and Shakotan Peninsula (積丹半島). There are walking paths and Benkei-misaki Lighthouse (弁慶岬灯台) on the site, and a combination of of the red and white two tone lighthouse and the sea is so beautiful. There is the rocky shore like Senjojiki Rocks (千畳敷) in Esashi around Masadomari Fishing Port (政泊漁港), and many anglers come. There is Benkei-misaki Parking Lot (弁慶岬駐車場) on Cape Benkei, too, and a restroom and a rest station is provided. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge.

Name of Cape Benkei come from the legends of Yoshitune Minamoto (源義経) party that ran away to Hokkaido around 1190. Musashibo Benkei (武蔵坊弁慶), Yoshitune Minamoto's family and followers, saw the sea to wait for the arival of Hitachibo Kaison (常陸坊海尊) with reinforcements on this cape every day, so Ainu people seemed to name Cape Benkei. By the way, the Hitachibo Kaison did not appear, and the Yoshitune Minamoto with his family and followers seem to go away here. Western Hokkaido has some legends of the Yoshitune Minamoto. On the other hand, there is the legend that the Ainu people living around here called rocky opening on the tip of the cape "Berukei (ベルケイ)", too, so it was named Benkei. The legend of the Yoshitune Minamoto is just legend, and I guess that the latter is true.

When I bought Wakasayaimo (わやさやいも) and Benkei (弁慶) at Wakasayashinise (若狭屋老舗), a wife of an owner told me that Benkei was designed in the motif of here. There was a stall at the rest station in the old days, and sweets of the Wakasayashinise were sold. Since I was here in the Suttsu, I planated to eat the Benkei on the Cape Benkei. The Benkei was tasty, too!