The End of the World? Find it on Notsuke Peninsula’s Todowara in Eastern Hokkaido

Registered in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The wetlands of Notsuke Peninsula are registered in the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty on the preservation of wetland habitats for waterfowl. “Flower Road” connects the base of the peninsula with the Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center. Traveling on this road, you’re likely to encounter many types of waterfowl as you drive along the shore, close to the water’s surface. Astonishingly, 235 different types of wild birds have been recorded seen on Notsuke Peninsula and in Notsuke Bay. There is no doubt that the Ramsar Convention plays a huge role in protecting the habitat of these birds. It’s a great place for birdwatching, so be sure to bring your binoculars!

Plenty to Learn at the Nature Center

If you plan to hike around the Notsuke Peninsula, a good way to start is by gathering information at the Nature Center. On the way there, there are plenty of fascinating things to see as you drive along the Flower Road. You might even see some wild animals, and you’ll likely want to take a bunch of pictures, but be careful – if you step into the marsh, your foot could sink down and it might be really tough to get back out!

Staff at the Nature Center have plenty of information on seasonal flowers and birds, and in July and August they can tell you if there are spotted seals in the area. The Nature Center is a beautiful wooden building befitting the environment of Notsuke Peninsula. The first floor has tourism information and a small store with local products, and the second floor is a nature and history exhibit. There are pictures of plants and birds that can be seen on the peninsula, and a detailed display showcasing the changes that it has undergone through history. The exhibit helps visitors understand the reality and seriousness of the damage done to Notsuke Peninsula and encourages us to consider our coexistence with nature.

Todowara -- the End of the World

Todowara, commonly called the end of the world, is a 30 minute stroll away from the Nature Center. On the way you’ll be able to view a variety of wild plants and birds. The “todo” part of the name “Todowara” comes from the Japanese todomatsu, an indigenous type of vegetation that existed alongside Ezo spruce trees in the Notsuke Peninsula during the Edo Period (1608-1863). However, these trees and plants have since been destroyed after having been submerged in sea water. The resulting blight is the scene in the picture above. The Nature Center has research from the past few decades showing further tree loss caused by seawater and wind erosion. Nobody is really sure how much longer we’ll be able to enjoy Todowara’s precious remaining scenery.

Todowara can be reached by foot from the Nature Center or you can take a boat from nearby Odaito (a 30 minute drive). The boat is operated by Betsukai Town Kanko. If you opt to take it you can save yourself some walking and enjoy the cruise. In July and August you’re pretty likely to see seals, making this a great activity to enjoy with the family.

Narawara

Todowara is famous as the place where todomatsu were blighted. Likewise, nearby Narawara is where mizunara (Mongolian Oak trees) have withered. Getting to Narawara is even easier than Todowara, as it lies along Flower Road. There’s even a sign for it, so it’s hard to miss. Like the vegetation at Todowara, salt water and wind damage have blighted the trees of Narawara. There are far more trees remaining in Narawara, but the white color gives away the damaged state of the forest, which appears like a bunch of skeletons.