Ocean Days is a tour company that offers diving tours and other water activities. It is the only company in Hokkaido that offers clear kayak tours, where you get to ride on a kayak that has a transparent bottom. One of their most popular tours is the Clear Kayak Blue Grotto Tour, where you get to visit a cave located in the ocean of Shakotan Town. This town in Western Hokkaido is famous for its beautiful blue ocean waters known as "Shakotan Blue". Paddling the clear kayak across the blue waters lets you see the sea creatures swimming underneath, and gives you the sensation that you are floating with them in the famous Shakotan Blue. You can also enjoy a rare view of the precipitous cliffs and rock formations from the sea. The most impressive part of the tour is when you enter the cave. You will be amazed at the sight of surface of the water sparkling with a brilliant turquoise blue, a truly unique and mystical scene.
The tour includes a lecture and paddling practice at the start, so even beginners can join and enjoy it easily. You can also get photos of your tour taken by the staff for free. It is available for both individuals and large groups (up to 40 people).
Ocean Days Clear Kayak Blue Grotto Tour
Address: Funama 50, Bikuni-cho, Shakotan Town, Hokkaido
Website: https://oceandays-4510.com/activity/skayak/ (Automatic translation available)
Phone: +81-90-8272-3722 (Japanese language only)
*For reservations in English, you can use the contact form at https://oceandays-4510.com/contact/. Please give the age, sex, height, weight, and shoe size of all tour participants.
Season: Early April to late October
Cost: Adults (age 13 and up) 6,500 yen / Children (age 4 to 12) 3,000 yen / Facility fee 500 yen
Conditions: Minimum age 4 years. Small children must be accompanied by an adult. Persons with height of 140 cm or less can only join tours from July to September. Pregnant women cannot join the tour.
Tour times: ①9:00-11:00, ②12:00-14:00 ③15:00-17:00 (Apr 1 to Oct 15 only)
Time required: About 2 hours
Items to bring: Comfortable clothes or swimsuit, flip-flops
Information about transport passes:
JR Hokkaido Rail Pass
https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ticket/railpass/index.html
Travelling within Hokkaido
https://japanbyjapan.com/blog/travelling-within-hokkaido
*Information is correct as of January 2019.
