Station Shikabe Geyser Park

Where Nature’s Power Meets Coastal Comfort

Shikabe Geyser Park, nestled along the rugged coast of Hokkaido’s Dōnan region, is a roadside station where geothermal wonder meets the bounty of the sea. At its heart lies a rare, century-old geyser that erupts with stunning regularity, its steaming plume rising over 15 meters into the sky. Visitors can soak their feet in a foot bath fed directly by the same hot spring, offering natural relief for colds and fatigue while marveling at this living geological spectacle.

Beyond the geyser, the station thrives as a culinary and cultural gateway to the fishing town of Shikabe. Local women known as "Hamakaasan" serve hearty, freshly caught seafood dishes at their beloved cafeteria, while the food hall showcases regional specialties like Shikabe tarama (salted cod roe) and white-mouth bay kelp. With a steam oven powered by geothermal water, a bustling fish market, and hands-on cooking experiences, this roadside station delivers an authentic taste of Hokkaido’s maritime heritage.

Visit Shikabe Geyser Park roadside station to experience Japan’s only active geyser flowing continuously for over a century, where you can soak your feet in hot spring water directly fed by the same erupting geothermal source. The station’s highlight is the unique "Hama no Kaa-san Dining Hall," where local women from the fishing cooperative serve freshly caught seafood in authentic, homestyle dishes. For a truly one-of-a-kind experience, try the geothermal steam cooker, where you grill your own ingredients using naturally heated steam from the same underground source.

• Best Arrival Time: Arrive by 10:00 AM on weekdays to access the こいたのおかず屋 before it closes at 3:00 PM, as it sells out of daily homemade side dishes by early afternoon.

• Hidden Gems: Visit the 温泉蒸し釜 (hot spring steamer) between 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM to use it with fresh fish purchased from the 道の駅のさかな屋—the steamer operates only until 3:00 PM and is most active during this window.

• Weekend Special: On weekends, visit 湯けむり処 しかべ焼き before 1:00 PM to enjoy their limited-time grilled fish skewers, which are only available during the 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM window and often sell out by early afternoon.

• Must-Try Dish: Order the すけそバーガー at the 浜のかあさん食堂 during its lunch service (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM), as it is made exclusively with fish caught from the local waters and is only served during the cafeteria’s operating hours.

• Best Time to Use the 24-Hour Stamp: Use the 24-hour stamp located in the toilet entrance corridor before 9:00 AM on weekdays to avoid the queue that forms during peak hours, especially when the main entrance is busy.

• Insider Access to Fresh Seafood: Purchase fresh fish from the 道の駅のさかな屋 between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, as this is when the daily catch is most recently arrived and displayed, offering the freshest selection of the day.

• Avoid the Lunchtime Crowd at the Food Hall: Skip the 物産館「鹿部・食とうまいもの館」 during the 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM rush; instead, visit between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM to browse the 鹿部たらこ and 白口浜真昆布 displays without waiting in line.

Spring (March-May): Visit in late March to April for peak canola flower blooms near the roadside station; enjoy fresh local seafood at the market.

Summer (June-August): Experience the hot spring foot bath with views of the erupting geyser; attend the annual 1-year celebration at汤けむり処 しかべ焼き in May.

Autumn (September-November): Savor seasonal seafood like sea urchin and scallops at the roadside station; enjoy the scenic views of the surrounding coastal landscape.

Winter (December-February): Experience the geothermal foot bath with snowscapes; visit during the winter season when the roadside station operates with limited hours.