Muroran Japan Iburi
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Cruises availables
At departure or passage at this port
Lindblad Expeditions (2 Cruises)
Oceania Cruises (10 Cruises)
Princess Cruises (13 Cruises)
Diamond Princess
8 Cruises
Royal Caribbean Cruises (4 Cruises)
Seabourn Cruise Line (4 Cruises)
Frequently Asked Questions
In the industrial port, at the foot of the blast furnaces that made the fortune of this steel town. Depending on the ship, shuttles link the quay to the centre and the viewpoints; taxis fill in easily, since distances are short.
The cape of the Earth, south of the city: cliffs of about a hundred metres carry a white lighthouse and an observation deck where the Pacific horizon stretches unobstructed through 180 degrees. On a clear day the line of water looks slightly curved, hence the name.
Cape Chikyu and Mount Sokuryo, a few minutes' drive apart. That pair is plenty to fill the call, and it avoids the long roads to Noboribetsu or Lake Toya.
The swan bridge, one of the largest suspension structures in eastern Japan, strung above the harbour entrance. The ship passes beneath its deck on departure, and Mount Sokuryo offers the best overall view of it.
A height above the centre giving a full circular panorama: Uchiura bay on one side, the ocean on the other, and the Hakucho bridge below. The green space at the summit holds abundant flora and a bird population.
From spring through summer, yes: boat trips leave the port to find them and, with luck, meet the minke whales that frequent the bay. As with all wildlife watching, nothing is guaranteed.
Curry ramen, noodles in a thick curry broth invented here, and the local yakitori which, despite the name, is made with pork and dipped in mustard. Counters downtown serve both at all hours.
Yes, each is under an hour by road, but organized excursions generally devote the whole day to them. Independent travellers do better to stick with Cape Chikyu and Mount Sokuryo.
The illuminated steelworks reflected in the bay. It is a night-time spectacle the Japanese come from a distance to photograph, and it captures the city's identity better than any museum.
The Japanese yen and Japanese. Muroran is an industrial town in southern Hokkaido, not a tourist destination: English is limited. Bring cash for the downtown counters.
