Called the ‘City of Steel’ since the late 19th century, this industrial town on the eastern tip of Hokkaido’s Uchiura Bay also boasts nine miles of sheer, picturesque cliffs and a nearby UNESCO Global Geopark. At Chikyu Misaki (Cape Earth), ring the Bell of Happiness as you take in sweeping views beside a shimmering white lighthouse. Ride a ropeway to the summit of Mount Usu, a unique showcase of active volcanism on the Pacific Rim, before delving into local indigenous culture at the National Ainu Museum. Afterwards, try some savory Muroran yakitori (grilled skewers), a Hokkaido specialty favored by the city’s generations of steel workers.