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Edited by: Declan Murphy Recommended: Suggested Itineraries Favorite Hokkaido moments... Best ways to get there Hokkaido Photogallery Newsgroups: fj.rec.travel.japan, Alt-FAQ Bulletin Boards: Fun/Clubs/Nightlife Accommodation/Discounts Practise your Kanji?

Shikabe Geyser

This small geyser is just a few dozen meters from the shore line in the fishing village of Shikabe. It is only about 10 kilometers from Onuma Quasi-National Park and easy to reach by rental car or bike. This particular geyser blows for about 40-45 seconds every 10-12 minutes.

Between gushes of hot water and steam, there isn't much else to do in the park other than to enjoy the Ashiyu. The water is hot, fed directly from the geyser. The bottom of the Ashiyu is thick with large pebbles you can massage the soles of your feet with while you wait for the pressure below ground to build up to the next eruption. Even on a snowy day, with jeans rolled up to just below the knee, the Ashiyu is hot enough to warm the whole body. Definitely worth a soak.

Usually the height of the spout is around 15 meters. Water temperature is about 100 degrees celsius (212 Fahrenheit) heated from vents from the volcano Mount Komagatake in nearby Onuma Koen. This is the only known geyser in Hokkaido.

As it is right next to the coastal road, it has caused quite a few accidents over the years due to rubber necking tourists, to the point where a wall has been built to screen the geyser from the view of passing drivers. Inside the wall there is a small but well presented (Japanese only) display explaining how geysers work, a good test of your kanji.

Entry to the small park from which you can watch the geyser is only 300 yen, which pays for the cost of providing parking etc. Apart from the lovely Ashiyu there are some refreshments available. If you are driving to Onuma Koen or to Hakodate this is a good place to take a break.

Ashiyu

Shikabe is a small fishing village. When Mount Komagatake erupted in late 2000 it covered the town with volcanic ash but has been cleaned up. The harbor is interesting to have a stroll around and the fishermen don't mind as long as you don't touch anything or get in people's way.

External Link: Wikipedia Geyser

Study in Hokkaido - It is now possible to study Japanese in Sapporo either during the Sapporo Summer Japanese Course or the winter, including Study Tours.
Click here for more information regarding studying Japanese in Sapporo.

Tours - The Japan Discovery Tours visit Shikabe Geyser.
Click here for more information regarding when Discovery visits this destination.

Photographs and contributions

Shikabe Fishing Port

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Disclaimer and Request:

Opening hours, prices, booking procedures, schedules etc are subject to changes beyond our control. This site is just a guide, and we advise that you always check and confirm in advance. Suggestions, additions and correction of errors are always welcome. Please contact us.