Recommended sightseeing
spots in North Hokkaido area

It is a very famous spot representing Asahikawa City. I tried to post some photos, but I was so engrossed in the animals that I forgot to take any, so unfortunately none of them remained in my folder (I'm sorry) . As it is the northernmost zoo in Japan, I was impressed by the abundance of northern animals such as penguins, polar bears and seals. The flock of penguins in particular is very cute and a must-see.

→　Asahiyama Zoo official website

This scenic spot is quietly located along the national route leading from Sapporo to Asahikawa and was considered sacred by the Ainu people. The Ishikari River flows through a land rich in nature and the view from the bridge is absolutely beautiful. Across the bridge is the old Kamuy-kotan station and the steam locomotive that was used in the past.

This Western-style garden is landscaped with colourful flowers and plants rooted in the Asahikawa climate. The interior design in places gives the garden a somewhat English flavour. A café in the garden offers a relaxing tea break while enjoying the view of the garden. It is a wonderful place where you can feel at ease just by being there.

→　Ueno Farm official website

This is a mysterious pond where the surface of the water is the colour of the blue sky. Aluminium dissolved in the water reflects sunlight, making it appear blue, so it is best to visit on a clear day if possible. Blue pond ice cream, which turns your tongue blue, is sold at the shop. It is also a good place to visit in winter, as the view changes dramatically when snow covers the area.

This is a petting farm where you can be healed by lovely animals. You can interact with ponies, llamas and other rather unusual animals. Small children can even ride a pony. The ranch also seems to put a lot of effort into its gourmet food, and I had beef stew made from Biei Wagyu beef at the restaurant, which was very tasty.

→　Farms Chiyoda official website

The tree have appeared in a Nissan Skyline commercial in 1972, and stands alone in the middle of a large area of land, making it a view spot. I was born in the Heisei era so of course don't know about the commercial, but the view is very good as there is nothing to block the view around it.

This colourful flower garden is located on a hilly terrain. The carefully laid out flowers in many colours look like a rainbow carpet, creating a spectacular view. The field of sunflowers at the far end is also very beautiful. The best time to visit is from mid-July to mid-August, but Hokkaido is usually hot at this time of year, so you need to watch out for heat stroke.

→　Panoramic Flower Gardens Shikisai-no-oka official website

This waterfall is located a little further to the mountain from the Blue Pond. The water is flowing out of a crack in the rock, and its shape looks like Santa's white beard. A closer look at the surface of the water shows that it has the same colour as Blue Pond, perhaps because the water has the same composition.

Ningle Terrace is quietly located on the premises of the Shin Furano Prince Hotel. The forest is lined with stylish log cabins, creating a pleasant space that is a little removed from reality. Inside each log house is a small shop, where many lovely handicrafts are displayed and sold.

　Furano Cheese Factory is located a little further east from Ningle Terrace. Visitors are able to see how cheese is actually produced and enjoy oven-baked pizza made with plenty of cheese from the factory.

→　Ningle Terrace official website

→　Furano Cheese Factory official website

The lake is located north-west of Hamatombetsu town. The lake is famous for the migratory birds that come to the lake in spring and autumn, numbering some 300 species. As it was summer when I visited, there were hardly any waterbirds, but some swan-like birds could be seen flying over the lake. This is a particularly good spot for birdwatching enthusiasts.

At 2291m above sea level, it is the highest mountain in Hokkaido. You can use a ropeway from the foot of the mountain to the halfway point at Sugatami station (altitude is about 1600m) . The area around the Sugatami station is a trekking course, with abundant alpine plants and ponds to be seen. The views from the lookout and ropeway are also very spectacular.

→　Taisetsuzan Asahidake Ropeway official website

It is a hot spring resort located very close to Taisetsuzan Asahidake. The photo above shows the La Vista Daisetsuzan, where I was staying, from a lookout I found while hiking. This inn is great, with a European-style exterior and guest rooms, but also a hot spring with an open-air bath where you can spend a healing moment in the great nature of the Taisetsuzan Mountains.

→　Hotel La Vista Daisetsuzan official website

Both spots are located further into the mountains from the Sounkyo hot spring resort.

　The first photo, O-bako, is a canyon with a series of columnar joints along the river, formed by volcanic eruptions. The endless precipitous landscape is extremely powerful. Ginga Falls and Ryusei Falls are huge waterfalls that have been selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan. From "Sobakudai" at the top of the steep mountain slopes, the two waterfalls can be viewed at the same time (second photo) , making it a spectacular spot.

A number of hot spring inns are clustered along the Ishikari River, which flows through the gorge. I visited Hotel Taisetsu, where I was able to enjoy three different types of hot spring at once, even on a day trip. In particular, "Taisetsunoyu", where the beautiful scenery of Sounkyo can be viewed, and "Tenganoyu", which blends into the peaceful forests, both have the best open-air baths where you can enjoy the great outdoors and everything is purified.

→　Hotel Taisetsu ONSEN & CANYON RESORT official website

Cape Ofuyu is a cape where you can see the sunset over the Sea of Japan. It is located southwards along the Sea of Japan Ororon Line from the Mashike Town. At sunset, the sea surface glistens with a bright orange colour and the view is unbelievable. It is good to watch from the lookout, but personally I recommend watching the sunset from the rocks by the side of the road, just above the surface of the sea.

　Kunimare Sake Brewery is the northernmost sake brewery in Japan, where you can obtain traditional sake that has been handed down over the years. It is recommended for those wishing to buy Japanese sake as a souvenir to take home.

→　Kunimare Sake Brewery official website

This is one of Furano's most famous lavender fields. The best time to visit is from mid to late July, when you can enjoy the beautiful lavender fields that cover the vast site. In addition to lavender, there are many other types of flowers planted here, so you will never get bored. The lavender ice cream sold at the shop is also delicious.

→　Farm Tomita official website

Otoineppu Village is the smallest village in Hokkaido, on the way from Asahikawa to Wakkanai. The first photo shows the JR station building, which has a nostalgic atmosphere. I also took a quick peek at the platform and found a bench imitating a cute steam locomotive on it.

This cape is located at the north-western tip of Rebun Island and is the northernmost point of the town. The island in the photo is an uninhabited island called "Steller's Sea Lions Island", named after the waters where they live in abundance, but no Steller's sea lions were seen on this day. If the view is clear, you can even see Karafuto in the distance. At a shop on the cape, you can taste the broth made from natural Rishiri kelp, which is so good you that could drink it endlessly.

I located it on the way from the Kafuka Port ferry terminal to Cape Sukoton, cycling along the Rebun Atsumori Road. The eastern side of the lake is elevated, so it was quite difficult to cycle up, but the view of the lake from there was beautiful. Camping is available on the north-western shore of the lake, here is also a popular spot for many bird species.

It is located on high ground on the west side of Rishiri Island, close to the Kutsugata Port ferry terminal. The sea breeze at the gazebo in the centre of the park is quite pleasant, and from there you can enjoy a panoramic view of Rebun Island. As the park juts out towards the west, it may be a good place to visit to watch the sunset.

The park is located in the southern part of Rishiri Island. The seawater in the area is extremely clear and is home to large quantities of natural Rishiri kelp and sea urchins. Also, in the fish tank, there was a seal on a business trip from the Wakkanai Aquarium, swimming gracefully. And there were black-tailed gulls flying around the area, relentlessly trying to get a fish that the seal keeper was holding, luckily I was able to take a photo of them quite closely, perhaps because they were preoccupied with the fish.

Cape Peshi is a cape on a precipitous cliff that can be seen from the Oshidomari Port ferry terminal. You have to walk hard up the steep 93m-high path, but from the lookout you can get a good view of Oshidomari Port and Rebun Island.

　Sato Restaurant is a restaurant located right in front of the ferry terminal and is also a Michelin-plated restaurant. It is a recommended place for numerous seafood-based ramen dishes, including Rishiri seaweed ramen, scallop ramen and seafood ramen.

The swamp is located a short distance from the seaside road towards the mountain, and the clear reflection of upside-down Rishirifuji on the tranquil surface of the water is very beautiful. This swamp is a man-made swamp, but it is surrounded by virgin forest and is a rich natural spot where many wild birds live.

Although named "swamp", the water is quite clear. From the front of the swamp, the towering Rishirifuji can be seen, and the view of Rishirifuji from here (more precisely, from the nearby hill) is featured on the packaging of the famous confectionery "Shiroi Koibito". The swamp is surrounded by a promenade where you can observe the creatures living in the swamp from various angles.

Inside the Western-style building, specimens of Rishiri Island creatures and alpine plants, tools used in the herring fishery and documents on the wild brown bears that once swam to Rishiri Island are on display. A huge stuffed Steller's sea lion is placed near the entrance to the museum and is quite powerful. And for some reason, you can also play park golf in the backyard.

Located on the north side of the island, this is a spectacular spot on Rishiri Island where you can see the ocean, Rebun Island and the sun setting behind it. I visited just at dusk, and the sea lit up by the setting sun was sparkling orange and very beautiful. Also, as the lookout is located on a hill, the town of Rishiri and Rishirifuji can be seen clearly.

This viewpoint is located towards the seaside from the city centre of Rumoi. Like Cape Ofuyu introduced above, this is also a spectacular spot where you can watch the beautiful sunset over the Sea of Japan. There is also a campsite near the cape, so if you have enough time, it would be nice to have a barbecue while watching the sunset.

The resort offers a wide range of activities throughout the year. In summer, you can experience horse riding, and if you are lucky, you can see the sea of clouds from the lookout on Mt. Tomamu. There is also an indoor swimming pool facility "Mina-Mina Beach", which is rare in Hokkaido. And in winter, of course, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding to the fullest. Incidentally, I am fond of the open-air bath next to the swimming pool, called "Kirin-no Yu", which is the best place to warm the body and soul while viewing the snowy winter landscape.

→　Hoshino Resorts Tomamu official website

This cape is located north of Wakkanai city centre. The cape has a very good view because of its protruding tip, and Rishirifuji is also clearly visible (first photo) . Near the cape there is a seafood restaurant called "Karafuto Restaurant", and the second photo shows the breakfast I had there. The fresh and hearty seafood rice bowl made me feel full and satisfied from the morning.

→　Karafuto Restaurant official website

The cape overlooks both the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, and is also the northernmost point in Japan. The southern tip of Karafuto is faintly visible in the second photo, more clearly than expected. You can get a northernmost T-shirt at the cape's shop. If you visit Wakkanai, this is a spot you should definitely stop by at least once for memorial purposes.

At night, you may want to take a stroll through Wakkanai city centre.

　First, JR Wakkanai station is the most northerly station in Japan. The northernmost sign and the train stop at the end of the line give travellers who have come all the way here a sense of achievement. The second photo shows the night view of the city from the high ground of Wakkanai Park. It is quite a distance to the high ground, but the view is so much better.

This domed breakwater was built in 1936. It is reminiscent of ancient Greek structures, with its distinctive pillar construction and arched ceilings. The top of the dome can be walked on normally and is within walking distance from Wakkanai city centre at all, so it is recommended to go for a walk in the morning to soak up the sea breeze.

This is a pure white road stretching near Cape Soya. The entire road is covered with scallop shells, which is said to be the reason for its whiteness. The road is located on high ground and offers a 360° view, making it one of the most photogenic spots in Wakkanai. The road is quite narrow, so both pedestrians and cars should be careful mutually.