Kiritappu

Set on Hokkaido’s wild eastern coast, Kiritappu is a land of dramatic coastline and rich wetlands. It offers a variety of biodiverse habitats that create a wildlife hotspot bursting with life.

On Kiritappu’s coast, Cape Kiritappu juts dramatically out to sea, with towering cliffs plunging down into the Pacific Ocean 60 metres below. The productive waters here support an abundance of life, and it is a fantastic place to find sea otters hunting in the waves and seabirds soaring overhead. The cape is known locally as Tokkari Cape, meaning Seal Cape in Ainu, a nickname lovingly inspired by the seals that are often hauled out on the surrounding rocks. 

Just inland lies the Kiritappu Wetland, a mosaic of reedbeds, pools, rivers and grassland. This array of habitat attracts a remarkable abundance of birdlife; around 280 species have been recorded here, making it a true haven for bird enthusiasts. The wetland also boasts an impressive diversity of flora, and from May to September its flowers burst into bloom. This has earned Kiritappu its affectionate nickname: the “Wetland of Flowers”.

The region is often wrapped in ethereal mists that roll in off the sea, and with its highly varied landscape, Kiritappu offers some of Hokkaido’s most rewarding wildlife encounters.

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