Seeking Moving Experiences Woven by Nature and Mystery with RV
With vast lands and crystal-clear skies, Hokkaido, the northern land, is an ideal place for watching sunrises. Visiting by RV allows comfortable movement with possible overnight stays in vehicles, enabling you to welcome emotional morning moments from the best seats anywhere. The dramatic landscapes created by great nature and mystical atmospheres like power spots will cleanse your heart and help you forget daily hustle and bustle. This time, we introduce 5 wonderful sunrise spots to visit by RV in Hokkaido. We’ll explain in detail each spot’s charm, places to visit, parking information, congestion conditions, and precautions.
1. Cape Erimo
“Where wind and light intersect at the remotest land, a moment of purification”
Cape Erimo is located at Hokkaido’s southernmost tip, a spot where you can witness sunrises from the vast Pacific horizon right before your eyes. Particularly in winter, the air is crystal clear, and when the sun rises, light makes the sea surface shine golden. Strong winds blow against the cape, but even that wind feels like purifying energy.
Nearby Attractions
- Erimo Cape Wind Museum
Museum introducing local nature and wildlife. Features exhibits where you can experience wind speed. - Erimo Town Local Market
Where local kelp and seafood can be purchased, perfect for souvenir shopping.
Parking Information
Parking lots around Cape Erimo are free. RVs can also park, but pay attention to parking positions due to strong winds.
Congestion Status and Precautions
Even during year-end and New Year, it’s relatively uncrowded, allowing quiet enjoyment of the first sunrise. However, prepare thoroughly for cold weather. Due to high wind speeds, bring thick gloves and windproof jackets.
2. Cape Notoro
“Wrapped in Okhotsk silence, earth’s blessing”
Cape Notoro, located in Abashiri City, is a spot overlooking spectacular views woven by the Sea of Okhotsk and vast lands. During sunrise hours, red-tinted skies and silvery snow landscapes harmonize in silence, creating mystical scenery.
Nearby Attractions
- Abashiri Prison Museum
Tourist attraction where you can learn Hokkaido history. Valuable architecture is also a highlight. - Michi-no-Eki Drift Ice Highway Abashiri
Tourism hub abundantly stocked with local gourmet and specialties. - Abashiri Lake Onsen
Warming your body at hot springs after the first sunrise is also recommended.
Parking Information
There are free parking lots near Cape Notoro, but snow accumulation requires attention in winter. For RVs, checking snow removal information in advance provides peace of mind.
Congestion Status and Precautions
Early morning on New Year’s Day has fewer tourists with a hidden gem feel, but pay attention to road freezing and blizzards. Don’t forget chain equipment.
3. Cape Soya
“Welcomed at Japan’s northernmost point, new hope’s light”
Cape Soya, located at Japan’s northernmost point, has exceptional specialness as a sunrise spot. The clear air unique to this frigid land and the sunrise from beyond the horizon provide powerful energy.
Nearby Attractions
- Soya Cape Park
Features monuments commemorating Japan’s northernmost land, perfect for commemorative photography. - Michi-no-Eki Sarufutsu Park
Gourmet spot where dishes using local specialty scallops can be enjoyed. - Sarufutsu Village Scallop Market
Often operates during year-end and New Year, where fresh seafood can be purchased.
Parking Information
Cape Soya has a large parking lot where RVs can also park. Early morning hours avoid congestion.
Congestion Status and Precautions
From New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day, tourists increase, so securing parking lots from the previous night is recommended. Prepare thoroughly for severe cold and bring disposable hand warmers for hands and feet.
4. Mount Hakodate
“Beautiful scenery where sky and sea meet, moment wrapped in hope’s light”
Mount Hakodate is a popular spot overlooking Hakodate city and Tsugaru Strait. While wonderful scenery can be enjoyed day and night, particularly during first sunrise hours, you can witness mystical scenes where cityscapes shine golden. The sunrise ascending the mountain will provide emotion as if celebrating the New Year’s opening. Easy accessibility and safe visits by RV are also attractions.
Nearby Attractions
- Hakodate Hachiman Shrine
Historic shrine at Mount Hakodate’s foot, perfect for New Year visits. Many locals visit for New Year fortune prayers. - Hakodate Morning Market
After watching the first sunrise, enjoy local fresh seafood bowls and grilled foods. The lively market atmosphere also becomes travel memories. - Goryokaku Park
Beautiful star-shaped historic park where you can enjoy historical walks. The refreshing morning air after watching sunrise feels pleasant.
Parking Information
Mount Hakodate’s summit has free parking lots, but during first sunrise season, congestion occurs, so early arrival before dawn is recommended. Alternatively, using parking lots at the foot and taking the ropeway to the summit is possible. Check ropeway operation status in advance.
Congestion Status and Precautions
Mount Hakodate is famous as a first sunrise spot, so New Year’s Day is particularly crowded with many tourists. For RVs, summit parking lots likely become full, so planning to wait at the foot from the previous day and use the ropeway first thing in the morning provides peace of mind. Also, prepare thoroughly for cold weather and prepare hand warmers and warm drinks for early morning chills. Since cold is extremely severe, prepare thick socks and warm drinks.
5. Cape Nosappu
“To endless continuing seas, offering prayers at sunrise”
Cape Nosappu, located in Nemuro City, is Hokkaido’s easternmost sunrise spot. It’s a special place where you can worship morning sun earliest in Japan. Welcoming the day’s beginning with vast seas is an exceptional experience.
Nearby Attractions
- Four Islands Bridge
Museum for considering Northern Territories issues. Historical learning too. - Hanasaki Crab Market
Local market where Nemuro’s specialty Hanasaki crab can be purchased.
Parking Information
Cape Nosappu has free parking lots where RVs can also be used. However, pay attention to snow accumulation conditions.
Congestion Status and Precautions
Many tourists visit aiming for the first sunrise, so arrive at night to secure locations. Engine starters are convenient for freeze prevention.
Conclusion – Fully Enjoy Hokkaido Sunrises with RV!
RV travel in Hokkaido attracts with comfort and high freedom. At any spot, you’ll undoubtedly be moved by great nature’s powerfulness and mystical landscapes.
Don’t neglect advance knowledge for fully enjoying sunrises. Since Hokkaido summers have early sunrises, waking early to see sunrises allows more fulfilling day starts. First sunrises welcomed in vast skies, endless horizons, and severe cold provide special emotions unavailable elsewhere. Also, utilizing RV flexibility, staying overnight in vehicles near destinations while enjoying quiet pre-sunrise times is recommended.
At each spot, not only watching first sunrises but touring local specialties, hot springs, and historical sites further expands travel enjoyment. Fresh seafood tasted at markets and moments offering New Year prayers at shrines become experiences that heal mind and body.
However, since winter Hokkaido expects severe cold and road freezing, thorough cold weather preparation and vehicle preparation are important. Particularly, preparing for year-end and New Year holidays, operating hours, congestion, and tourist increases, ensure parking lot securing and planned movement.
