Cape Chikiu
{{Short description|Cape in Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan}}
{{Infobox landform
| name = Cape Chikiu
| other_name = チキウ岬
| type =Cape
| photo = File:地球岬 - panoramio (3).jpg
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| photo_caption = Cape Chikiu Lighthouse
| map = Japan Hokkaido#Japan
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| map_caption = Location of Cape Chikiu in Hokkaido
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| location = Muroran, Japan
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| coordinates = {{Coord|42|18|06|N|141|00|07|E|display=inline,title}}
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{{nihongo|Cape Chikiu|チキウ岬|Chikiumisaki}} is a cape facing the Pacific Ocean in Muroran City, Hokkaido, Japan. It is derived from "ci-ke-p" in Ainu language, which means "cliff" is accented and commonly referred to as {{nihongo|Cape Chikiyu|地球岬|Chikiyumisaki}}, meaning "Earth cape" in Japanese.{{Cite web |script-title=ja:アイヌ語地名リスト P71-80 |url=http://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/ks/ass/grp/7180P.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111062550/http://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/ks/ass/grp/7180P.pdf |archive-date=2014-01-11 |access-date=2020-08-24 |script-website=ja:アイヌ語地名リスト |language=ja}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.city.muroran.lg.jp/main/org1400/documents/06_03-01keisyouti.pdf |script-title=ja:景勝地|format=PDF |script-website=ja:室蘭市 |access-date=August 3, 2015 |language=ja}}
Overview
The Pacific side of the Etomo Peninsula is a scenic spot with cliffs rising {{convert|100|m|ft|sp=us}} above sea level extending for about {{convert|14|km|mi|sp=us}}. Many people come to the cape to see the first sunrise on the new year to see the curvature of the horizon.
Cape Chikiu was placed first in the "100 best natural spots of Hokkaido" list published by the Asahi Shimbun in 1985. It was also included in the list of "Favorite Hokkaido scenic spots" by the Hokkaido Post Office in 1986 and the "100 new Japan sightseeing spots" by the Yomiuri Shimbun in 1987. Cape Chikiu named "The Etomo peninsula outer Coast" with "Harkaramoi, Masuich beach, Tokkarisho" and designated as a national scenic spot "Pirikanoka" (it means "Beautiful shape" in Ainu people Language) in 2012.{{Cite web |url=http://www.city.muroran.lg.jp/main/org9420/20120124.html|script-title=ja:名勝ピリカノカ 絵鞆半島外海岸|trans-title=Place of scenic beauty Pirikanoka, Etomo peninsula outer coast|website=City of Muroran|language=ja|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
Chikiu Lighthouse was first turned on in 1920, and was selected as one of the "50 lighthouses of Japan". It was also dubbed by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers as part of the country's "civil engineering heritage".{{Cite web|url=http://www.tokokai.org/archive/index02.html|script-title=ja:日本の灯台50選|trans-title=50 lighthouses of Japan|website=Tokokai|language=ja|access-date=August 3, 2015}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.jsce.or.jp/contents/isan/blanch/1_11.shtml|script-title=ja:チキウ岬灯台|trans-title=Chikiu Lighthouse|website=Japan Society of Civil Engineers|language=ja|access-date=August 3, 2015}}
Fauna and flora
West from Cape Chikiu is green area of about fifty hectares based on urban planning.{{Cite web|url=http://www.city.muroran.lg.jp/main/org1400/documents/09_03-04sansakuro.pdf|script-title=ja:むろらんの森と散策路|trans-title=Muroran no Mori and walking paths|language=ja|format=PDF|website=City of Muroran|access-date=August 3, 2015}} Along the walking path there are flowers such as Japanese fawn lilies, the Ezokawara nadeshiko, and the Ōbaki violet in the spring. The surrounding area is on a migratory birds route and is also known as Peregrine falcon nesting site for aim migratory birds. In addition, woodpeckers and other wild birds can be observed. The waterway which is located almost in the center of the green space is a valuable place for breeding of Hokkaido salamanders.
Facilities
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2020}}
- Observatory
- Restrooms
- Stands{{vague|date=October 2020}}
- Parking lot
Access
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2020}}
From Bokoi Station on the JR Hokkaido Muroran Main Line take the Donan Bus bound for Cape Chikiu housing complex and get off there. At a distance of {{convert|1.1|km|mi|sp=us}} away, it takes about 14 minutes on foot to reach Cape Chikiu Observatory from there.