EDITORIALS
Hokkaido's 15 Most Scenic Roads for Touring - Hokkaido, Japan 15 Spectacular Roads to Ride on Your Hokkaido Touring Trip
1. the "Sea of Japan Oloron Line" leading to the northernmost point, Cape Soya
2 . the "White Road" in the Soya Hills, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the contrast of nature
3. the "Esanuka Line," a straight line of pastureland toward the horizon
4 . the Trans-Shiretoko Highway, a World Heritage Site
5 . the Notsuke Peninsula, the largest sand spit in Japan
6 . the Milk Road, a straight road through a peaceful dairy farming area
7 . the "North Pacific Seaside Line" leading to Cape Nosappu from the powerful coastline
8 . " Roller Coaster Road," a straight road with severe ups and downs
9 . the Mikunitoge Matsumi Bridge, a sky bridge in the sea of trees past rows of white birch trees
10 . " Naitai Kogen Ranch," which commands a panoramic view of the Tokachi Plain
11 . "Bihoro Pass" with its spectacular view
12 . the road leading to the faraway land is impressive! The Road to Heaven
13 . the Niseko Panorama Line, where you can enjoy the seasonal views of the great outdoors
14 . "Aikawa View Point Parking", a "mountain road" with a view of Mt.
15 . " Lake Shikotsu Sky Road" spreads out in the blue after passing through deep green
1. "Sea of Japan Oloron Line" leading to the northernmost point, Cape Soya
The name of the route running north-south along the coast from Otaru City to Wakkanai along the Sea of Japan. In particular, Hokkaido Route 106 stretches north from Teshio Town, passing the Ottonlui Wind Power Station with its impressive array of windmills, and continues in a straight line through the Sarobetsu Plains, where there are no man-made structures. On a clear day, Rishiri Fuji can be seen across the sea, and a popular route for driving and touring is through here to the northernmost point, Cape Soya. Wakkanai, where Cape Soya is located, also has other scenic roads such as "Soya Hills" and "White Road.
Sea of Japan Oloron Line
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai East Port - Teshio Town About 285 km
Teshio Town - Cape Soya (via Highway 106) Approx. 93 km
See details of the "Sea of Japan Oloron Line" on Domingo
2. "White Road" in the Soya Hills, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the contrast of great nature
The Soya Hills, which stretch behind Cape Soya, the northernmost point of Japan, are glacial terrain, a remnant of the glacial era, and are registered as a Hokkaido Heritage site. The "white road" in the Soya Hills is located on the goal side of the footpath course and is a popular photo spot. The "White Path," which is paved with crushed scallop shells, offers a spectacular view of the contrast between the sky and the sea.
White Road
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai East Port - Soya Hills "White Road" About 373 km
Wakkanai City - Soya Hills "White Path": approx. 25 km
View details of the "White Way" on Domingo
3. "Esanuka Line", a straight line of pasture toward the horizon
From Sarufutsu Park, a roadside station in Sarufutsu Village, famous for its scallops, drive south on Route 238 for about 18 km to the village road on the Sea of Okhotsk side. Except for the road on which you ride, the sky and horizon are the only other scenery for about 16 km. Please enjoy the exhilaration of riding through the open landscape.
Esanuca Line
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai Higashi Port - Esanuca Route: approx. 356 km
Cape Soya - Esanuka Route: approx. 46 km
See details of "Esanuka Line" on Domingo
4. "Shiretoko Crossing Road" to experience a World Heritage site
The Shiretoko Crossing Highway is a mountain pass connecting Shari-cho and Rausu-cho in Shiretoko, a World Heritage site. The dynamic view of nature from the Shiretoko Pass at the top is breathtaking. The Shiretoko Highway is usually closed to traffic during the winter season from November to late April, so the road can only be traveled for a short period of time, but it is one of the best places to experience Shiretoko's natural beauty at least once.
Shiretoko Pass
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai East Port - Shiretoko Pass: about 437 km
Tomakomai East Port - Shiretoko Toge (Shiretoko Pass): Approx. 341 km
View more details about "Shiretoko Pass" on Domingo
5. Japan's largest sand spit "Notsuke Peninsula
The Notsuke Peninsula is famous for being the largest sand spit in Japan. From the base of the peninsula to the tip where the Nature Center is located, there is a straight road flanked by the sea on both sides. The desolate landscape is worth seeing, including "Narawara," where dead oak trees remain standing and "Todowara," where dead Abies sachalinensis trees are standing. In recent years, environmental changes and land subsidence have washed away the sand and made the path thinner, and there are fears that the peninsula itself may disappear, so this may become a valuable path.
Notsuke Peninsula
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai Higashi Port - Notsuke Peninsula Approx. 402Km
Shiretoko Toge - Notsuke Peninsula approx. 82 km
View details of "Notsuke Peninsula" on Domingo
6. "Milk Road," a straight road through a peaceful dairy farming area
Kaiyodai, a landmark of Nakashibetsu Town in the east of Hokkaido, is popular among touring riders for its panoramic view from 270 meters above sea level. The straight road that runs through the dairy farming area from its foot is called "Milk Road. The road, named after the "straight road along which tanker trucks run to ship milk," passes through the "lattice-shaped windbreak forest," which has been recognized as a Hokkaido Heritage Site, and offers a relaxing view of the area. It is also recommended in autumn when the larch trees in the windbreak forest change color.
Milk Road
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai East Port - Kaiyodai Observation Deck About 364 km
Notsuke Peninsula - Kaiyodai Observation Deck About 47 km
See details of "Milk Road (Kaiyodai)" on Domingo
7. "North Pacific Seaside Line" from the powerful coastline to Cape Nosappu
This 321-km-long coastal road stretches from Hiroo Town in Tokachi to Cape Nosappu in Nemuro City, and is particularly attractive for its dynamic cliffs and marshland scenery. The road also has parking areas where you can relax and enjoy the scenery, and the natural scenery will never bore you as you drive along.
North Pacific Seaside Line
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai East Port - Cape Nosappu Approx. 438 km
Kushiro Town - Cape Nosappu Approx. 137 km
See details of the North Pacific Seaside Line on Domingo
8. "Roller Coaster Road," a straight road with severe ups and downs
This is the name of the town road West Route 11, which turns from Route 237 connecting Biei-cho and Kamifurano-machi. The wavy ups and downs in elevation are truly worthy of being called a roller coaster, and the magnificent mountains of the Tokachi-dake Federation can be viewed while enjoying the magnificent scenery typical of Hokkaido.
Roller Coaster Path
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai East Port - Roller coaster route: approx. 167 km
Sapporo - Roller coaster route: approx. 137 km
View more details about "Roller Coaster Road" on Domingo
9. Mikunitoge Matsumi Ohashi, a sky bridge in the sea of trees past rows of white birch trees
Following National Route 273 leading from Kamishihoro Town to Kamikawa Town, you can see a group of concrete arch bridges of the former Japan National Railways (JNR) Shihoro Line and the Tausubetsu River Bridge, which is called a "phantom bridge". After passing the remains of Mimata Station, the terminus of the Shihoro Line of the former Japanese National Railways, the road is lined with fresh white birch trees and gradually winds through virgin forest toward Mikuni Pass, the highest pass on a national highway in Hokkaido. The spectacular view of the sea of trees that stretches all around from the top of the pass and the "Matsumi Ohashi Bridge" that stands there will overwhelm visitors.
Matsumi Ohashi Bridge at Mikuni Pass
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai East Port - Mikuni Pass: about 234 km
Kamishihoro Town - Mikuni Pass: about 54 km
View details of the "Mikuni Pass Matsumi Bridge" on Domingo
10. "Naitai Kogen Ranch" overlooking the Tokachi Plain
Located about 10 km from downtown Kamishihoro on Highway 806, "Naitai Kogen Ranch" is the largest public ranch in Japan with a total area of approximately 1,700 ha (358 times the size of the Tokyo Dome). The undulating road leading from the entrance to the top of the ranch is flanked on both sides by vast pastureland, and the sight of herds of cows leisurely walking in the grass is soothing. Near the top, there is a café with a view and a "nightai terrace" where you can enjoy a light meal on the terrace, and you can look out over the pasture as well as the patchwork of fields spreading across the Tokachi Plain.
Naitai Kogen Ranch
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai East Port - Naitai Kogen Ranch About 198 km
Kamishihoro Town - Naitai Kogen Ranch approx. 10 km
See more details about "Naitai Kogen Ranch" on Domingo
11. "Bihoro Pass", the most beautiful view in the world
Located on the border of National Route 243 between Bihoro Town and Teshikaga Town, the view from the observatory is called "the best view in the world" because of its beauty. The view from the observatory is "heavenly" because of its beauty. Not only can you see Lake Kussharo, the largest caldera lake in Japan, but you can also see Mount Io-zan and the Shiretoko Federation. The roadside station "Gurutto Panorama Bihoro Toge" is also located here, making it the perfect place to rest and enjoy the scenery.
Bihoro Pass
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai East Port - Bihoro Pass approx. 338 km
Bihoro Town - Bihoro Pass Approx. 26 km
See details of "Bihoro Pass" on Domingo
12. Impressed by the road that continues far into the distance! The Road to Heaven
This is a road with a spectacular view named after the endless straight road that seems to lead up to the sky. For those who wish to enjoy this road with its sudden appearance before your eyes, we recommend that you take Route 334 from the Utoro area toward Shari, and turn left at Minehama. If the timing is right near the vernal equinox and the autumnal equinox, you may be able to see the sunset as the sun sets at the end of the road and encounter an inspiring moment that is truly a "road leading to heaven.
The Road Leading to Heaven
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai East Port - Road to Heaven: approx. 388 km
Shari-cho - Road to Heaven Approx. 11 km
See details of "The Road to Heaven" on Domingo
13. "Niseko Panorama Line" where you can enjoy seasonal views of the great outdoors
The section of Highway 66 connecting Niseko Town and Iwanai Town is called "Niseko Panorama Line" and is a popular winding road that has been selected as one of the "100 Best Roads in Japan" for its continuous dynamic scenery. The road offers magnificent views of Mt. Yotei and the Niseko mountain range, as well as the Sea of Japan, making it an exhilarating ride with magnificent scenery! You can also take a walk in the surrounding "Shinsen-numa" area while taking a break. While summer is a great time to ride in the lush greenery, autumn is the best time to ride through the golden foliage.
Niseko Panorama Line
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai East Port - Niseko Panorama Line approx. 130 km
Niseko Town - Niseko Panorama Line approx. 4 km
See more details about Niseko Panorama Line on Domingo
14. "Aikawa Viewpoint Parking", a "mountain road" with a view of Mt.
Yotei, which can be seen on Route 276 from Kimobetsu Town in Hokkaido, is the most beautiful and dynamic road in Hokkaido! The "Aikawa Viewpoint Parking" is located along this national highway, so you can take a break from driving to enjoy the scenery. Yotei, popularly known as "Ezo Fuji" because of its beautiful resemblance to Mt.
Aikawa Viewpoint Parking
Reference distance (without using toll roads)
Tomakomai Higashi Port - Aikawa Viewpoint Parking Approximately 103 km
Kimobetsu Town - Aikawa Viewpoint Parking Approximately 2.5 km
View details of "Aikawa Viewpoint Parking" on Domingo
15. Blue "Lake Shikotsu Sky Road" spreads out beyond the deep green
Road 16 leading from Chitose City to Lake Shikotsu is called "Lake Shikotsu Sky Road." It is a single road through the beautiful forest of larch and white birch. After passing through the deep green forest, you will be greeted by Lake Shikotsu, one of the clearest lakes in Japan. The mystical blue glow of "Lake Shikotsu Blue" is sure to enchant you.
Lake Shikotsu Sky Road
Reference distance (without using toll road)
Tomakomai East Port - Lake Shikotsu (via Route 16) approx. 70 km
Chitose City - Lake Shikotsu (via Route 16) approx. 36 km
View details of "Lake Shikotsu Sky Road" on Domingo
All information is current as of May 2024.
All information is subject to change. Please check the official website for details.