Kiritappu Wetland Floral Bog & Cape Kiritappu Wild Sea Otters

Category: Ramsar Wetland & Marine Wildlife | Location: Hokkaido

Blanketing 3,168 hectares along the misty Pacific coastline in Hamanaka Town, the Kiritappu Wetland (Kiritappu Shitsugen) is Japan's third-largest peat wetland, protected under the international Ramsar Convention. Cherished across the nation as the 'Wetland of Flowers' (Hana no Shitsugen), this untamed peat bog stages an astonishing floral extravaganza from spring through late summer. When native Ezo-kanzo daylilies burst into full bloom from late June through mid-July, an endless golden-yellow ocean carpets the marshland, accented by billowing tufts of snowy white Watasuge cotton grass swaying gently in the cool ocean breezes. Extending boldly into the crashing Pacific swells at the eastern edge lies Cape Kiritappu (Kiritappu Misaki / Cape Tofutsu), bordered by sheer sea cliffs. The protected kelp-rich coves beneath the historic white lighthouse have become the stage for one of Japan's most celebrated wildlife conservation miracles: a thriving resident colony of wild sea otters (Rakko). Year-round, visitors equipped with binoculars can gaze directly down from the cliffs to watch these endearing marine creatures floating peacefully on their backs in coastal kelp beds, nursing pups on their bellies and cracking open sea urchins using small flat stones. In addition to its pristine natural wonders, Hamanaka Town is internationally celebrated as the birthplace of legendary manga artist Monkey Punch, the creator of the iconic world-famous franchise Lupin the Third. Throughout the municipality—from JR Choboshi Station to buses, public signboards, and wrapped trains operating on the picturesque JR Hanasaki coastal line—vibrant illustrations of Lupin, Daisuke Jigen, and Fujiko Mine greet travelers. Visiting Kiritappu seamlessly weaves together the sublime beauty of northern coastal ecology with heartwarming Japanese pop-culture heritage.