Kikonai, known for its sacred “Midwinter Misogi” ritual where participants plunge into the Tsugaru Strait, serves as a key transportation hub and crossroads for Southern Hokkaido tourism. It connects to popular destinations such as Hakodate City, Esashi Town (a designated Japan Heritage site), and Matsumae Town, famous for its cherry blossoms and castle.
Southern Hokkaido was the first region where Japanese settlers established permanent residence and engaged in trade with the indigenous Ainu people, marking the beginnings of Hokkaido. It is also a historically significant area, as it was the site of the final battle of the samurai—the Battle of Hakodate.
Kikonai Station, the first stop on the Hokkaido Shinkansen, will soon be directly connected to Sapporo Station. Historically, the people of Kikonai rescued the stranded crew of the Kanrin Maru, who were retainers of Shiroishi Castle under the Sendai Domain. These survivors later contributed to the development of Shiroishi Village, which is now the Shiroishi Ward of Sapporo.
Exploring these historical connections on foot is a fascinating experience. We will introduce key areas such as Kikonai’s downtown, the Satsukari and Saraki areas, and Tsuruoka Park.