Shakotan Onsen Hokkaido

Shakotan, on the Shakotan Peninsula jutting into the Sea of Japan from northwestern Hokkaido, is famous for its extraordinarily clear cobalt blue waters — the deepest azure shade in Japanese coastal waters, known as Shakotan Blue — whose exceptional clarity results from the absence of river sediment and the pristine ocean conditions of the outer Hokkaido Sea of Japan coast, drawing snorkelers and divers to sea caves and kelp forests. Shakotan Onsen Hokkaido draws on chloride-rich coastal thermal waters from the marine geological formations of the Shakotan Peninsula coast, offering warming maritime baths in one of Hokkaido's most scenically dramatic cape communities where the cobalt blue sea, the dramatic rock formations of Cape Kamui, and the fresh Shakotan sea urchin (uni) — considered the finest in Japan — create an outstandingly beautiful and gastronomically distinguished spa setting. The Cape Kamui dramatic rock scenery and Shakotan Blue sea colour, the Shakotan sea urchin (uni) fishing season from June through August producing Japan's most prized fresh uni, and the rugged sea cave snorkeling and diving culture of the Shakotan coastline make this one of Hokkaido's most spectacular and seasonally vibrant thermal destinations on the Sea of Japan.