A Town Where the Individuality of the Sea and Land Shines—The Charm of Setana and Imakane!!

In the Hiyama region of Hokkaido, there are two towns that sit side-by-side yet have completely different faces:“Setana Town” and “Imakane Town”.

It is fascinating that within the same area, the power of the sea and the serenity of the land exist side-by-side, so this article aims to introduce these two towns in terms of their “regional charm.”

■ Setana Town — A town where the presence of the coastline itself is its charm

The charm of Setana Town is, above all else, the sea.

Even those who think “all seaside towns look the same” will surely have their eyes captured by the power of the formations when faced with this coastline.

◆ Oyakoguma Rock (Parent and Child Bear Rock)

This is a strange rock formation that can be called the symbol of Setana Town, and it appears in many of the photos introducing the town.

It is shaped like a parent bear and a child bear snuggling together, and the form created by nature over a long period of time has more presence than words can describe.

It is such a representative spot that one could say, “When you think of the Setana sea, you think of this place.”

◆ Ota-yama Shrine (Kami-no-miya)

A shrine built on top of a giant rock, it is an indispensable presence when talking about the history and culture of Setana Town.

Its appearance, sitting with the sea in the background, is overwhelming, and the path to the shrine grounds also has a unique atmosphere.

Rather than a tourist spot, it feels more accurate to call it “a place where you can feel the faith of this region itself.”

◆ Sanbonsugi Beach

Known for its highly transparent sea, this is a beach visited by many people in the summer.

Even outside of the season, it is highly regarded as a spot for viewing the sunset. It is a convenient beach where you can experience both the "stillness and power" of the Setana sea at the same time.

The beauty of the sea's formations, the depth of its history, and leisure activities centered around the sea. These are well-balanced, and the individuality of a seaside town is firmly established. That is the charm of Setana Town.

■ Imakane Town — The richness of the land is the town's very identity

On the other hand, Imakane Town has the calmness unique to an inland area and a pride that is characteristic of a town centered on agriculture.

In contrast to Setana, where the sea is the protagonist, the impression here is that "soil and water are the protagonists."

It may not be flashy as a tourist destination, but the atmosphere of the region itself is charming.

◆ Kamioka Shrine

As a representative shrine of Imakane Town, it is characterized by a quiet appearance that seems to be one with the surrounding nature.

Although it is not a glamorous shrine or temple, this "simple and calm atmosphere" is exactly what makes it so Imakane-like.

◆ Shiribeshi-Toshibetsu River

A clear stream known nationwide for its high water quality.

Having been rated as the "cleanest river in Japan," the riverside is suitable for photography and strolling.

It is popular with anglers and is one of the places that symbolizes the town's natural resources.

◆ The landscape where Imakane Danshaku potato fields spread out

While not tourist facilities, they are indispensable when talking about the town.

Known for its Danshaku potatoes, Imakane's farmland itself is the town's "pride."

The fields spreading across the hilly terrain change their expression significantly with the seasons, allowing you to feel the scale of the vast land.

For those interested in local food culture, this is a particularly attractive point.

Imakane is a town where you can directly feel the charms typical of Hokkaido: "tranquility," "abundance," and "simplicity."

It can be said that it is a region where you can touch the "depth of life" more than spots created for tourism.

■ A town where you can enjoy the two individualities of sea and land as a set

Because Setana and Imakane are close to each other, the "interest of contrast" is a combination that stands out.

Setana Town, with its sculptural beauty of the sea and history

Imakane Town, with its richness of the land and tranquility

By visiting these two together, you can experience the diversity of nature that the Hiyama region possesses in a short itinerary.

Neither town is a large-scale tourist destination, but that is precisely why the "true face of the region itself" is easier to see.

I think this area is particularly compatible for people whose travel purpose is "to know the atmosphere of the land rather than flashiness."

Sea and land.

Because they are two towns with contrasting charms, the depth of the region becomes visible when introduced side by side.

Finally

How did you like Setana and Imakane?
Summer in Setana and Imakane flows with a very gentle time, but winter in Setana Town is also a place that teaches you the severity of a Hokkaido winter.

Although I didn't write about it in the article, in Setana Town,
💮 exquisite sweets with a 1-day shelf life
are also sold.

Setana Town, which I missed out on buying things from when I used to go there for sales, and haven't been back to since.
Here is an article I wrote with those feelings in mind.

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I look forward to your continued support.