[Saromako Observation Deck in Saroma] 360 Degrees View and Narrow Raod

Saromako Observation Deck

Saromako Observation Deck (サロマ湖展望台) is built at the top of Mt. Horoiwa (幌岩山) of 376 m height in Saroma town located in the southern part of the Lake Saroma, and is the only tourist attraction to view whole Lake Saroma. A parking lot and a public restroom are at the site. A trail is built from the bottom of the mountain to the mountaintop, and it takes about 60 minutes on foot. The observation deck is famous for a good view and dangerous roads to the mounatintop. 2 roads are built from Toppushi Fishing Port (富武士の港) and Kitakatsu Fishery (北勝水産) to the observation deck. But gravel roads of about 5 km length are rough, and those have just width that one car can go ahead along the road. So attention is necessary for driving. It is difficult to pass large cars. The roads are closed in a winter.

Movie of Road to Saromako Observation Deck

Hokusho Suisan

Hokusho Suisan corp. (株式会社 北勝水産) is a fish processing company with the head office facing National Route 239 in Saronma town adjacent to the northern part of Kitami city, and has been established since 1979, and is near Lake Saroma (サロマ湖) and Saromako Observation Deck (サロマ湖展望台). The Hokusho Suisan is known for processing and selling marine products such as scallop, crab and salmon roe. The head office has a direct sales store, and tourists also come. At the building, live marine products and processing marine products can be bought, and light meals such as scallop hamburger, salmon hamburger, scallop curry and rice, coffee and ice cream are also served. Read More

Lake Saroma

Lake Saroma (サロマ湖) is a brackish water lake among Kitami city, Saroma town and Yubetsu town, and is the 3rd largest lake after Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) and Lake Kasumigaura (霞ヶ浦) in Japan. A sandbar of 200 to 700 m width separates the lake from the Sea of Okhotsk (オホーツク海), and the lake links the sea with only 2 points. In old days, the sandbar separeted the lake from the sea depending on seasons perfectly. The perimeter of the lake is about 87 km, and the maximum depth is 19.6 m. The lake has no name in Ainu language, and they called it just lake. It is well-known for tasty seafood such as Oyster and Scallop, and fishing Japanese pond smelt is popular in a winter. Read More

An express bus "Dreamint Okhotsk-go (ドリーミントオホーツク号)" runs between the Sapporo and the Kitami, and Limited Express Sekihoku-go (特急石北号), an express bus, runs between the Kitami and Asahikawa, and Senpoku-go (釧北号), an express bus, runs between the Kitami and Kushiro, and an express bus "Engaru-go (えんがる号)" runs between the Sapporo and Engaru. Besides, Rent-a-car can be rented around Kitami Station.

List of Means of Transportation

Highway buses run between the Kitami and the Sapporo, the Asahikawa and the Kushiro, and an express bus "Engaru-go (えんがる号)" runs between the Sapporo and Engaru. Refer to following the means of the transportation. As for car rental comparison websites, you can compare vehicle rental prices on Tabi-Plaza Rental Car Reservation (旅ぷらざレンタカー予約), Jalan Rental Car (じゃらんレンタカー) and Rakutem Travel Rental Car (楽天トラベルレンタカー).

Chuo Bus(中央バス)	From Sapporo to Kitami	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Chuo Bus(中央バス)	From Kitami to Sapporo	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Hokkaido Kitami Bus(北海道北見バス)	From Asahikawa to Kitami	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Hokkaido Kitami Bus(北海道北見バス)	From Kitami to Asahikawa	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Akan Bus(阿寒バス)	From Kushiro to Kitami	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Akan Bus(阿寒バス)	From Kitami to Kushiro	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Chuo Bus(中央バス)	From Sapporo to Engaru	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Chuo Bus(中央バス)	From Engaru to Sapporo	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Nippon Rent-a-car(ニッポンレンタカー)	Their office is near the Kitami Station.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Times Car Rental(タイムズカーレンタル)	Their office is near the Kitami Station.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Toyota Rental Lease(トヨタレンタリース)	Their office is near the Kitami Station.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Nissan Rent-a-car(日産レンタカー)	Their office is in Koueinishi-machi.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Orix Rent-a-car(オリックスレンタカー)	Their office is in Tondennishi-machi.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Station Rent-a-car(駅レンタカー)	Their office is near the Kitami Station.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Nico Nico Rent-a-car(ニコニコレンタカー)	Their office is near the Kitami Station.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten
Carsta Rent-a-car(カースタレンタカー)	Their office is near the Kitami Station.	HP	Jalan	Rakuten

Look of Saromako Observation Deck

The Saromako Observation Deck declares that 360 degrees view can be enjoyed, and it is a fact. It has a splendid view. Visitors can view Shiretoko Mountain Range and the whole Lake Saroma, and it is famous for seeing beautiful sunset. Sightseeing telescopes are provided, too. It has sometimes foggy days, so the visitors can enter the observation deck inside to ward off cold. It takes about 5 minutes from the parking lot to here on foot. Steps are steep, so you had better wear comfortable shoes. In a summer, you had better bring an insect repellent because a lot of gnats or horseflies try to bite your skin, too. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge.

Atmosphere of Saromako Observation Deck Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Saromako Observation Deck

List of Accommodations

Refer to following websites for the accommodations around the Lake Saroma. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.

Saroma

Saromakohan Youth Hostel(サロマ湖畔ユースホステル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Saromako Yurinkan(サロマ湖悠林館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Tabibito-yado Saromanian(旅人宿 さろまにあん)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minshuku Watanabe(民宿わたなべ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Ryokan Piraoroso(旅館 ピラオロ荘)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Morita Ryokan(もりた旅館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Ryokan Oshiro(旅館 大城)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Kimuaneppu-Misaki Campsite(キムアネップ岬キャンプ場)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten

Tokoro

Lake Saroma Tsuruga Resort(サロマ湖鶴雅リゾート)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Sencho-no-Ie(船長の家)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Matsunoya Sato Ryokan(松乃屋/佐藤旅館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten