[Kamuito Swamp in Sarufutsu] Swamp That Gods Live in

Kamuito Swamp

Kamuito Swamp (カムイト沼) is a freshwater lake in Sarufutsu village located in the southeastern part of Wakkanai city, and is a part of Asajino Wetland (浅茅野湿原) in North Okhotsk Prefectural Natural Park (北オホーツク道立自然公園), and is contained in 500 Important Wetlands in Japan (日本の重要湿地500). The Kamuito means "A swamp that gods live in" in Ainu language, that is to say, the gods live in the swamp. The perimeter of the swamp is 2.3 km. The maximum water depth is 5.2 m. Tateyama Marimo Moss Balls (タテヤママリモ) and Itou fish (イトウ) seem to inhabit the swamp. A wooden path is built on the lakeside, and the swamp can be seen closely there. Unfortunately, the entering wooden path has been prohibited since 2017 because of the breaking wooden path. A parking lot and a restroom are built at the site. But there is not sightseeing facility around here. By the way, In a winter, snow is not removed away on the road, so watch the road. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge.

Speaking of the Sarufutsu, Scallop is famous. It is the most scallops landed town in Japan. The noted food can be eaten at Yumekukan shop (夢喰間) and Restraunt "Fusetsu" (レストラン風雪) of Sarufutsu Park (猿払公園). The Yumekukan shop serves Scallop Rice (ホタテめし), Grilled Scallops on a Skewer (ホタテ串) and Cowberry Flavored Soft Serve Ice Cream (コケモモソフトクリーム), and those are popular. Fresh large scallops are reasonable price. The Restraunt "Fusetsu" serves Scallop Rice and Curry, and it has a good reputation. As for onsen, unfortunately, hot springs do not gush out in the Sarufutsu.

Yumekukan

Yumekukan (夢喰間) is a shop at roadside station "Sarufutsu Park (さるふつ公園)" in Sarufutsu village, and is next to very large ranch facing the Sea of Okhotsk. Visitors can view magnificent nature. A building is built near Indigirka memorial monument (インディギルカ号遭難者慰霊碑) and Sarufutsu Ikoi-no-Yu (さるふつ憩いの湯). The Sarufutsu village is the most scallops landed town in Japan, so it is famous for the scallops. Fishermen discharge the scallops into the sea, and they raise those up in the sea for 5 years. Natural scallops that are not cultured scallops become sweet thick flesh with high quality. Article is here

North Okhotsk Prefectural Natural Park

North Okhotsk Prefectural Natural Park (北オホーツク自然公園) is a natural park among Sarufustu village, Hamatonbetsu town and Esashi town in the northern part of Hokkaido, and has been designated as the prefectural natural park since 1968. The area is 3,927 ha. Groups of lakes and swamps such as Lake Kutcharo (クッチャロ湖), wild flowers in Beniya Primitive Flower Garden (ベニヤ原生花園), and wild birds such as Motacilla Flava and Swan can be observed in this area. A lot of tourists do not come. The natural park has been chosen as one of 100 Unexplored Regions in Japan (日本の秘境100選), and is contained in 500 Important Wetlands in Japan (日本の重要湿地500). A straight road without signals is one of worth seeing places, too. Tourists can enjoy the nature of the typical Hokkaido without being crowded. I think that here is a little-known tourist attractions in the northern Hokkaido. Article is here