FoxyStranger Kawasaki / CC BY-SA 3.0

Japan's longest sandspit curls 26-28km into the Nemuro Strait off eastern Hokkaido, enclosing Notsuke Bay. At its Todowara section, a forest of Sakhalin fir killed by seawater intrusion and land subsidence has become a stark 'ghost forest' of bleached, skeletal trunks against the wetland grasses.

Best season

June-august for wildflowers (flower road); september-october for stark autumn light on the driftwood

Crowd level

Hidden gem

Rating

4.2· 414 reviews

Opening hours

Daily Open 24 hours

Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.

Nearest station

No train access; nearest hub is Nakashibetsu (bus/taxi ~40km)

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