Koshimizu Gensei-kaen

Hokkaidō


This is a spectacular 20km stretch of wildflowers along the coast between Abashiri and Shari. Visit in early summer and catch it at its peak, when more than 40 species of flowers bloom.

Gensei-kaen has its own tiny JR station with an information centre plus short walks through the flora and dunes out to the sea. There are also rental bicycles (¥300) for getting around to other viewing points along the road.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Hokkaidō attractions

1. Hokkaidō Museum of Northern Peoples

9.63 MILES

The examples here of traditional dress, tools and musical instruments from the indigenous cultures of the northern latitudes demonstrate the…

2. Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum

9.76 MILES

Come here to see videos of the drift ice in winter and small tanks of the fascinating creatures that live beneath it, such as the tiny kurione (sea angel)…

3. Abashiri Prison Museum

10.04 MILES

Some of the original Meiji-era prison buildings were restored and relocated to this oddly pleasant museum park. The Kangoku Hakubutsukan (penal museum)…

4. Sango-sō Gunraku

15.73 MILES

Known as salt pickle or grasswort in other parts of the world, coral grass, an otherwise humble marsh plant, gets its moment of fame in September when it…

5. Kussharo-ko

19.74 MILES

Japan's largest caldera lake is a rich blue on sunny days. A small volcano peeks out from the centre, creating the island Naka-jima – best viewed from the…

6. Kawayu Eco-Museum Centre

20.84 MILES

Stop by this museum and visitor centre in Kawayu Onsen to see how the surrounding volcanic landscape got its shape and to pick up hiking maps. There's a…

7. Taihō Sumo Museum

20.94 MILES

This museum is full of photos, both official and candid, of legendary hometown hero, the sumo wrestler Taihō (大鵬; 1940–2013). He was born on Karafuto …

8. Bihoro Pass

21.69 MILES

This lookout point on Rte 243, which runs between Abashiri and Mashū, has a fantastic panoramic view over Kussharo-ko, with Naka-jima in the middle.