10 Things to Do in Saroma

10 Things to Do in Saroma
10 Things to Do in Saroma

Saroma (佐呂間町) is a town in the Okhotsk Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan. The name of the town is derived from the Ainu place name saro-oma-pet, which means “a place of many miscanthus reeds.”


For those planning to visit the town of Saroma to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Saroma:


Saroma manhole cover

1. Take a picture of the manhole cover of Saroma. So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole cover. It is commonly seen around town.


Saroma Shrine (佐呂間神社)
Saroma Shrine

2. Visit the Saroma Shrine (佐呂間神社). It’s the main shrine of the town of Saroma. You can pay your respects and offer prayers here any time of the day. Don’t forget to avail of the shrine’s goshuin if you collect them.


Buy Saroma's pumpkin

3. Buy Saroma’s famed pumpkin or any pumpkin-themed products.


Piraoro Observatory (ピラオロ展望台)
Piraoro Observatory 

4. Head up to Piraoro Observatory (ピラオロ展望台) for a nice view of Lake Saroma and the harbor below.


Former Saroma Station (佐呂間町交通公園 鉄道記念館)
Former Saroma Station

5. Visit the Former Saroma Station (佐呂間町交通公園 鉄道記念館). The preserved building is repurposed as a museum. You can see exhibits about the former railway that serves Saroma town. The preserved D51 565, Suyuni 50 517, Yo 8017, and DE10 1677 are displayed outside.


Saroma Roadside Station (道の駅 サロマ湖)
Saroma Roadside Station

6. Visit Saroma Roadside Station (道の駅 サロマ湖) and try the pumpkin soft cream. You can also buy produce and souvenirs harvested or made in Saroma. If you collect roadside station stamps then this place is a must-visit.


7. Attend the Kabocha Matsuri / Pumpkin Festival held every September. This is the best time to go if you want to hoard pumpkins as they are sold at a very affordable price. 


Ryokan Yurinkan (旅館 悠林館)
Ryokan Yurinkan

8. Stay overnight at Ryokan Yurinkan (旅館 悠林館). This ryokan is located near the roadside station near Lake Saroma. It's a great place to enjoy the delicious seafood and the relaxing sauna.


Saroma Observation Deck (サロマ湖 展望台)
Saroma Observation Deck 

9. Head up the Saroma Observation Deck (サロマ湖 展望台). It’s free parking and free entrance. However, the road going up the parking area is mostly unpaved. Regardless, the view from the observation deck is superb.


Lake Saroma (サロマ湖)
Lake Saroma

10. Enjoy the view of Lake Saroma (サロマ湖) from different areas of the town. One of the best places to go to view Lake Saroma is at Kimuaneppu Cape (キムアネップ岬). There is a camping ground here; if you visit in September, you will see the red coral grass blanketing the area.


I hope my list of the 10 Things to Do in Saroma gave you an idea and inspiration to visit this lakeside town in eastern Hokkaido.

#Saroma
#SaromaHokkaido

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Summary
Location: Saroma, Tokoro District, Hokkaido, Japan

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