Just down the road from Koshimizu Genseikaen lies the Furetoi Observation Deck. As the name suggests, here you are able to observe something: Japan’s Okhotsk Coast and the nearby Shiretoko peninsula.

Without further ado, please feast your eyes on these sights:

Side note, the mascot for this area is a seal because this is where seals that reside in the Okhotsk Sea area winter. They come onto shore and can be found on the sea itself, which turns to ice in the winter. Here is an example of a sign:

How to Furetoi Observation Deck

Furetoi Observation Deck is located next to the Hama-Koshimizu train station, so you can take the Semmo line from Abashiri. It takes approximately 45 minutes and costs ¥540 as of summer 2024. Alternatively you can take a bus from the Abashiri Bus Terminal for ¥890, which takes approximately 30 minutes.

The deck itself is free to enter and is open from 9 to 5. This means the doors that allow you to enter the structure. You can still stand on the outer portion, which is open to the elements and not controlled in any way.

Once you reach the station, leave the front door and head west. As you go past the parking lot, there will be a turn to the right that crosses over the tracks. You will see a sign marking the camping area. Here there is a staircase up the hill marked with a “Furetoi Observation Deck” sign that will take you to this white, pyramid-light structure. Once you see it, you have made it!

Thanks for reading! Want to do some more exploring? Have a look at the travel map:

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