Kai-Saki is One of the Best
Tired of typical Japanese campgrounds with cars and tents
packed in like sardines in a can? Well this is the place to escape all of
that. There are no roads anywhere near the campground here, the only way
in is on foot, bicycle, or by boat. The campground is located in a small
valley surrounded by lush forested hills on three sides, and a spectacular
view of Mutsu Bay through the trees. Since there are no cars here the only
noises you'll hear are people, occassional boats passing by, or fireworks.
Activities for Non-Divers
Kai-Saki point offers some great scenery and a few places to take a quiet
hike in the woods. If you follow the cement walkway along the west side of
the cove you'll come to some steep steps with a wooden handrail leading up
to the top of the point. Located at the top is an observation platform with
an incredible view of Mutsu Bay, across to the Tsugaru Peninsula, and the
southern shores of Hokkaido. For swimmers the beach in the cove is a
shollow spot for getting in, but wear shoes because there is some broken
glass mixed in with the gravel. The area around the boat dock is a great
swimming and snorkeling spot but watch for boat traffic. The water around
the dock is deep enough to allow diving from the dock. If you enjoy
snorkeling this place is perfect. The clear water provides you a good
view of the bottom even when it drops to 35 feet. You can lazily swim
along and watch the divers below.
Camping - This is Roughing It !!!
The best advice for campers going to Kai-Saki Point is "Go Light" Since
you can't get in by car you'll have to pack everything in on you back. A
large backpack and a bicycle make things easy if you don't mind making a
few trips. By bicycle it's about 5 minutes one way. On foot it'll take
you about 15 minutes from the start of the trail to the campground.
Remember you'll have to make several trips either way since you have to
take your diving gear and camping gear. When you get there drive through
the fishing village and follow the road as far as it goes along the point.
You'll come to a small loop area with a gazebo. This is as far as you can
drive and you'll see the trail along the seawall. Unload all of your stuff
here and take your car back to the parking area by the sign and public
restrooms (it's a short five minute walk back). If you want to get there
quick and easy you can hire one of the fishing boats to take you and your
gear to the campground. The boats leave from the fishing port and will
take you to the dock. From the dock you'll still have to carry your
camping gear a few hundred meters to the campground. You can leave your
diving gear right by the dock along the seawall. The campground has about
four cabins with bunkbeds, and plenty of grassey areas for pitching a tent.
There are also bathrooms, showers (cold), and rinsing sinks for cleaning
dishes and diving gear. There is some driftwood along the beach but you
can buy firewood from the old man who runs the campground. Fires are
allowed only in the fire circles, but there are plenty of them.
Diving at Kai-Saki Point
Once you get all of your gear to the campground getting to the water is
easy. You can enter right from the small beach in the cove but the best
entry point is right next to the boat dock along the west side. Just next
to the beach on the west side there is a cement sea wall that follows the
base of the mountain to the point. About 200 meters towards the point is
a cement boat dock that rises about 5 feet out of the water. On either
side of this dock are easy slip-in points and the depth drops to 10 to 15
feet right away. If you want you can even do a giant stride entry from the
top of the dock. The best diving is just off the point. From the dock
head southwest either on the surface or underwater. The depth slopes
gently from a bottom of 15 feet to a gravel and mud bottom at 80 feet at
the point. The sides of the mountain are volcanic and sedimentary rock
mixed. Large sloping rocks an steppes descend to the bottom on Kai-saki
point. You'll see numerous anchors on the bottom, used to secure floats
for the nets. Most of the marine life in this area consists of rock bass,
urchins, anemones, and crabs. There isn't alot of seaweed in the water
but the bottom stirs up easy into muddy clouds. What makes diving at this
location great is the clear water. The visibility averages over 20 feet,
with 35 feet not being uncommon in good weather. This location is ideal
for night diving also. The easy entry and exit points are convenient, but
be careful not to go around the point and get lost. Put a lantern on the
dock and one on the point to keep you bearings.
How to Get to Kai-Saki from Misawa
Warning: Be aware there is no vehicle access to the campground at
Wakinosawa. The only way to get there is by boat or by way of a 1
kilometer trail along the rocks. The trail is suitable for a mountain
bike. From the Misawa AB Main Gate go straight to the 2nd traffic light,
turn right After turning right proceed to the 3rd light and turn right
(before the turn the is a sign for Noheji, Route 8.) Go straight ahead
until you come to a sign for Aomori/Kamikita, follow the sign diagonally
left. Shortly after turning left you'll come to a stop sign, turn right
across the railroad tracks. You're now on Route 8 to Noheji, stay on this
road and follow the signs for Noheji. After 32 kilometers you'll see a
sign on your left in English that says "Welcome to Noheji", keep going and
1 kilometer later you'll come to a "Y" in the road. Route 8 turns into
Route 4 and Route 279 at this point. Get in the right turn lane and turn
right towards Noheji. You'll wind left over a bridge and into Noheji's
main street. Follow this street until it curves right at a flashing
yellow light. Make the right turn and follow the sign for "Mutsu". The
road will bend left and north along the coast. Follow the road north
towards "Mutsu", you'll go through several small fishing villages and as
you approach Mustu you'll come to a "Y" intersection. Stay in the left
lane and continue on, from this point the road straightens out as it enters
the city. You'll pass the "Mutsu Plaza Hotel" on your left and then come
to a stoplight with a "Sundays" on the right. Turn left at this light,
you'll pass a "Kentucky Fried Chicken" on your left to let you know you're
on the right road. From here the road winds through the western parts of
the city towards a Japanese Naval Self Defense Force Base. Follow the road
signs for Kawauchi . When you reach Kawauchi keep watching for the signs
for Wakinosawa, follow them and you're on the right track. When you reach
Wakinosawa village look for signs to a campground, the sign is white and on
the left side of the road. You'll be on a road that follows the shoreline
on a seawall. The road winds around the points towards the tip of the
peninsula. When you arrive in the last fishing village you'll see a public
restroom and a large animated sign depicting the area. This is the parking
area for campers. There are only two ways to reach the campground from
here, by boat, or foot/bicycle. If you have alot of gear and are walking
or riding a bicycle to the campground, drive as far as you can along the
cliffs. You can drive almost to the western point of the rocks. There is
a small building and a circular paved area with a small gazebo where you
can unload your gear. After unloading park your car in the lot by the
restrooms and walk back to your gear. If you've hired a boat just find it
an load up, they'll get you there. If you have your own boat find an eay
place to put in and head out of the harbor. Once clear of the harbor
walls turn right, keep the rocks at least 25 meters to the right and watch
out for all the net floats in the water. You'll soon see the cove the
campground is in. On the west side of the cove is a cement wall that the
boats use as a dock. Head for this, the water is deep right up to the
side. If you go for the beach be careful about rocks in the shallow water
as you approach. From the harbor to the campground in a sea kayak takes
about 20-30 minutes at an easy pace.
Whats Available at Kai-Saki and Vicinity
Distance (Km): 154 Kilometers
Driving Time: 3 Hours by way of Noheji and Mutsu City
Day/Overnight: Overnight is best but you can do this on a long day trip.
Campground: Yes, Hike or boat-in only. Beautiful location in a valley at the end of a cove. Steep mountains on two sides, heavily wooded with some grassey areas for tents. Campfires are permitted in designated circles.
Cabin Rental: Yes, The cabins are really nice. Bunkbeds in all.
Electricity: Yes, in cabins only
Firewood: Yes, Some driftwood on the beach to collect, but you can buy some from the caretaker.
Showers: Yes, Cold only, Bring your own toilet paper!
Hot Bath: No, There are some elsewhere on the peninsula but not close to the campground.
Fresh Water: Yes, Rinsing basins in the center of the campground.
Costs: 1000 yen for camping/4000 yen for cabins (daily).
Swimming: Yes, From small beach or around the boat dock. The Beach is gravel and rock, and shoes are recommended since there is some broken glass laying around.
Shopping: No, The closest shops are in Wakinosawa. Gift shops are available in Wakinosawa near the port. Look for the boat tour signs to lead you there.
Restaurants: No, None near the campground. The closest are in Wakinosawa Village. Japanese only and Lots-o-Fish!
Attractions: The rocky coastline of the western Shimokita Pen. as well as the incredible view of Mutsu Bay make this a really scenic spot. Snow Monkeys can be seen.
Reservations: 0000-00-0000 Japanese Only. Reservations are recommended for the cabins.
Divers Information
Skill Level: Novice and up, this site is great for everybody. Even Snorkeling is great here.
Equipment: Wet Suit recommended, 3mm is comfortable unless
you really spend alot of time past 60 feet.
Night Diving: Yes, this is a great location for beginners as well as the
experienced night diver. Place lanterns on the cement
boat dock to light the exit point. Be careful of the
bouy anchor lines in the center of the cove.
From Campground: Just a short walk along the cliff, concrete walkway, 200 meters at the most.
Vehicle Access: Forget it! The closest you can get to the campground
is about 1 kilometer. This is a hump-it-in or boat-in
only campground. Backpacks with bicycles are a great
way to get in. Kayaks are also an option if you go light.
Best Entry Point: Right off the cement boat dock on the west end of the
cove. The water is deep and you can giant stride right
into the water - no obstructions!
Best Exit Point: The north side of the boat dock is the easiest.
Visibility: Excellent! This site has some of the best in the area.
On a clear day it's 20 to 35 feet with good light
penetration to depth.
Temperature: Recorded at 78 degrees in July.
Depths: 15 to 20 feet at the dock. Drops from the rocks on the
west side of the cove average 45 to 75 feet with some
steppe ledges on the way down.
Current: None noticed.
Bottom Contours: Limestone and volcanic rock mixed. Fingers of rock
and cliffs arc down to a sand and shell bottom at 80 feet
Marine Life: Octopus, Jellyfish, Shrimp, Squid, Rock Bass, Flounder
Dive Profile: Sea level, little or no surface swim needed.
Safety Information: Boat traffic is a consideration. Watch for the
fisherman who come into the cove to tend nets and
scallop baskets Also watch for the boat who brings
campers from the harbor to the dock. If he's at the
dock when you return stay clear, stay visible in front of
him (he backs out), or stay on the bottom until he
leaves the area.
Site Highlights: The seclusion and quiet make this place perfect. The
water is calm in nice weather, and the visibility is
the best you'll find in northern Japan. A trail from
the base of the point leads up to a lookout with a great
view of Mutsu Bay, the Tsugaru Peninsula, and the
southern shores of Hokkaido. At night you can see the
lights of Aomori, and millions of stars in the sky.
Nearby Diving: Oma, on the northern tip of the Shimokita Peninsula.
Return to Dive Guide
Get your own Free Home page