ARTICLES
An exhilarating feeling as you ride through it like the wind! Have you heard of the Esanuka Line, a single road surrounded by pastures?
Hokkaido is known as a "holy land for motorbike enthusiasts" because of the many touring spots it offers. Riding through the great outdoors on roads without traffic lights is a pleasure that can only be found in Hokkaido.
One of the most recommended routes is the line known as the Esanuka Line (hereinafter referred to as the Esanuka Line), which runs along the Sea of Okhotsk.
What kind of scenery awaits us?
In northern Hokkaido, along the Sea of Okhotsk, the Esanuka Line is a paved road that runs through the pastures.
When you actually stand there, not only are there no traffic lights to be seen, but there is also a single road that stretches out in a straight line, continuing on into the horizon, with no end in sight.
The Esanuka Line runs approximately 4.2 km south from Hama-Sarufpu, then turns inland for approximately 8.4 km.
Agricultural land development work began in the mid-1970s, and it was built with the aim of connecting several farm roads stretching from the inland area toward the Sea of Okhotsk.
For those who would really like to try it, here is a route that goes from north to south.
If you drive south on National Route 238, which runs from Wakkanai to Abashiri, you will come across a sign near Hamasarufutsu that says, "Turn left 500m ahead, also known as the Esanuka Line." If you drive about 500m from there, you will come across a sign indicating the entrance to the Esanuka Line.
If you turn left after the sign, you will come to a T-junction, and if you turn right there, you will enter the Esanuka Line. There is a point along the way where you will have to turn inland, but other than that, just go straight ahead. By the way, please note that snow is not removed in winter, so there may be snow remaining until around Golden Week.
Only in Hokkaido can such a long straight road exist. Experience the sheer scale of it all with your whole body.
Reporting cooperation
Sarufutsu Village Office, Planning and Policy Division, Tourism Section
Address: 172 Onishibetsu Nishimachi, Sarufutsu Village, Soya District, Hokkaido
Phone: 01635-2-3132
Official website: https://www.vill.sarufutsu.hokkaido.jp
Photo credit
Tomoya Kasugai
In northern Hokkaido, along the Sea of Okhotsk, the Esanuka Line is a paved road that runs through the pastures.
When you actually stand there, not only are there no traffic lights to be seen, but there is also a single road that stretches out in a straight line, continuing on into the horizon, with no end in sight.
The Esanuka Line runs approximately 4.2 km south from Hama-Sarufpu, then turns inland for approximately 8.4 km.
Agricultural land development work began in the mid-1970s, and it was built with the aim of connecting several farm roads stretching from the inland area toward the Sea of Okhotsk.
For those who would really like to try it, here is a route that goes from north to south.
If you drive south on National Route 238, which runs from Wakkanai to Abashiri, you will come across a sign near Hamasarufutsu that says, "Turn left 500m ahead, also known as the Esanuka Line." If you drive about 500m from there, you will come across a sign indicating the entrance to the Esanuka Line.
If you turn left after the sign, you will come to a T-junction, and if you turn right there, you will enter the Esanuka Line. There is a point along the way where you will have to turn inland, but other than that, just go straight ahead. By the way, please note that snow is not removed in winter, so there may be snow remaining until around Golden Week.
Only in Hokkaido can such a long straight road exist. Experience the sheer scale of it all with your whole body.
Reporting cooperation
Sarufutsu Village Office, Planning and Policy Division, Tourism Section
Address: 172 Onishibetsu Nishimachi, Sarufutsu Village, Soya District, Hokkaido
Phone: 01635-2-3132
Official website: https://www.vill.sarufutsu.hokkaido.jp
Photo credit
Tomoya Kasugai
Writer Profile
Hokkaido Tourism Camera Writer
Team BuchiNeko
Team Buchi Neko has many connections to Hokkaido's tourist spots and facilities. There are many wonderful resources in Hokkaido that we take for granted when we live there. We will spread the word about the charms of this wonderful place.
