Get to know Shikabe through several distinct themes: the history of a hot spring, seasonal seafood cuisine, and guided insights into the harbor and forest. When planning your trip, it helps to consider whether you want to visit a particular place, discover local products, or plan around a program scheduled for a specific time.
A hot spring with a history
The しかべ間歇泉 was accidentally discovered in 1924 during drilling for a hot spring. On November 1, 2018, it was selected as a Hokkaido Heritage Site. You can visit the spring at しかべ間歇泉公園; there is also a footbath fed by the spring’s spurting hot water. The discovery’s history, a visit to the spring, and the footbath all offer concrete reasons to stop by.
The two dates mark different chapters: 1924 was the year of the accidental discovery during drilling, while November 1, 2018, marks its later selection as a Hokkaido Heritage Site. If you are interested in the area’s history, this provides historical context for your visit; at the same time, the park, spring, and footbath may also appeal to travelers who are primarily interested in experiencing the hot spring itself.
Seafood and seasonal cuisine
Processed seafood and souvenirs are sold at 鹿部・食とうまいもの館. Products include 鹿部たらこ, 白口浜昆布, and 噴火湾湾口ホタテ. The availability of individual products may vary by season or operating conditions. If you are planning to stop by for a particular product, check its availability before your visit.
For a meal rather than a product to take away, visit 浜のかあさん食堂. There, women from the women’s division of the Shikabe Fisheries Cooperative—the “浜のかあさん”—serve home-style dishes made with seasonal seafood landed in Shikabe. The two offerings have different culinary focuses: one features processed products and souvenirs, while the other serves prepared dishes made with the seasonal catch.
Guided insights into the harbor and forest
Among the species landed at 鹿部漁港 are Alaska pollock, scallops, shrimp, and octopus. You can visit the harbor with explanations from a guide. A visit like this focuses on the fishing industry and the seafood landed there.
The guided walks in the 鹿部リゾートの森 forest focus on different topics. Walks are offered on horticulture, birds, and plants, and the program runs year-round. The two guided offerings therefore differ in focus: the harbor visit covers fishing and the seafood catch, while the forest walks explore the listed topics in horticulture and nature.
Events and trip planning
Monthly events in Shikabe showcase local specialties alongside live music or dance, hands-on activities, and tastings. Event dates may change. If an event is a deciding factor in your trip, check the specific dates and program before making plans.
When choosing when to travel, it therefore makes a difference whether you want to plan around an event or include one of the guided walks. Event dates may change, while the forest program is offered year-round.
For the broader travel overview: Kayabe District.
