Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park

Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park stretches across six towns and features coastal cliffs, stepped marine terraces, and rock formations shaped by the Sea of Japan. The park provides hiking trails, camping grounds, and observation decks at multiple entry points throughout the region.

The park was established in 1960 and preserves medieval temples, castle ruins, and burial sites from Hokkaido's earliest settlement areas. These sites document the region's early development and religious traditions.

Stone monuments at Sai no Kawara on Okushiri Island serve as memorials for those lost at sea and children from the community. Visitors walking through notice how locals tend these sites with care and respect for the deceased.

The park can be reached from multiple towns, so visitors have flexibility in choosing where to enter and explore different sections. Spread-out access points mean planning ahead helps get the most from a visit.

Okushiri Island contains eleven distinct marine terraces formed by underwater erosion and tectonic shifts over time. These visible layers tell the story of how the ocean and earth movements have reshaped the landscape gradually.

Location: Kaminokuni

Location: Esashi

Location: Otobe

Location: Yakumo

Location: Setana

Location: Okushiri

Inception: April 20, 1960

Website: https://pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/ks/skn/environ/parks/hiyama-prefecturali-nationalpark.html

GPS coordinates: 41.86889,140.11444

Latest update: December 15, 2025 13:30