Discover Suttsu

A trip to Suttsu can focus on several different things: the history of fishing in Utasutsu, rest stops along the Fūta Course, views of the fishing port, and local specialties. The historic sites and attractions are spread across different areas. For example, the former fishing site is in Utasutsu, Suttsu-chō, while Mina-to-mare Suttsu is right by Suttsu Fishing Port.

Fishing History in Utasutsu

The former fishing site of the Sato family in Utasutsu, Suttsu-chō, is located on Suttsu Bay. During the Meiji era, it was the center of the family’s fishing operations. The site is permanently designated as a cultural heritage property. Its surviving features include a Fukuroma harbor built on the foreshore, a residence, a family shrine, and drying grounds behind them.

These features bring the site’s former role as a place of fishing operations to life: the harbor, residence, shrine, and drying grounds each served a different purpose and show different aspects of the historic site. Those interested in coastal history can consider both the family’s significance at the time and the layout of the site itself.

Oiwake-Sōran Route on National Route 229

The Oiwake-Sōran Route follows National Route 229. It is a coastal route between Cape Benkei and Isoya, with historic buildings along the way.

Rest Stops along the Fūta Course

In the Suttsu municipal area, the public bath Yubetsu-no-Yu is located at the start of the Fūta Course and serves as a rest stop. There are also rest pavilions in Fūta Park and at the park golf course. These places are located in different parts of the course area: Yubetsu-no-Yu is at the start, while the pavilions are in the park and at the park golf course.

There are toilets at three locations in the Fūta Course area:

• at Yubetsu-no-Yu,
• in Fūta Park,
• at the park golf course, and
• at the coastal campsite in Hamanaka, another toilet location.

If you plan to stop at a particular rest point or visit the public bath, check the latest information about operating hours and access before you go. This lets you take the listed rest and toilet locations into account when planning, without treating them as a single stop.

Harbor Views and a Festival in Suttsu-chō

Mina-to-mare Suttsu is right by Suttsu Fishing Port and is designed to offer views of the harbor. The harbor is therefore not just a point of reference; it is an explicit part of the site’s purpose. This distinguishes Mina-to-mare Suttsu from the rest stops along the Fūta Course, which are described as places to take a break.

During the two-day Suttsu Shrine Festival, a mikoshi, Matsumae Kagura performers, child performers, and floats from the town’s neighborhoods parade through the area. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the event dates before making plans.

Oysters and Other Specialties

From January through June, the Suttsu Bay Oyster House offers an all-you-can-eat meal featuring large, freshly steamed oysters. This seasonal period may be a key consideration when planning a food-focused trip. Check current opening information and offerings before making specific plans.

Other dishes on offer include rice with oysters, carrots, and bamboo shoots, as well as oyster soup. Menus may change, so check the current menu if you have a particular dish in mind.

Another specialty pairs rock seaweed harvested from Suttsu’s foreshore with namadaki shirasu tsukudani. Alongside the seasonal oyster offering, this combination offers a distinct culinary experience and broadens the picture of Suttsu’s cuisine beyond oysters.

Explore more destinations: Kamishihoro, Higashikagura, Kato District, Hamatonbetsu, Menashi District, Tomakomai, Niikappu, Nanporo

For an overview of the wider area: Hokkaido.