ARTICLES
Feel the Exhilaration of Riding Like the Wind! Discover the Esanuka Line, a Straight Road Through Hokkaido's Pastures
When you think of Hokkaido, numerous touring spots come to mind, so much so that it's hailed as a "biker's paradise." Cruising endlessly through vast nature on roads with no traffic lights... this is an experience unique to Hokkaido.
Among the many options, we highly recommend the Esanuka Line (a nickname), which stretches along the Sea of Okhotsk coast. What kind of scenery awaits?
In northern Hokkaido, along the Sea of Okhotsk, lies the Esanuka Line, a paved road that cuts through pastures.
When you actually stand there, you'll notice not only the absence of traffic lights, but also that the single straight road stretches to the horizon, its end seeming impossibly far away.
The Esanuka Line runs south from Hama-Sarufutsu for about 4.2 km, then veers slightly inland for another 8.4 km. It was reportedly created in the mid-1970s as part of an agricultural land development project to connect several farm roads extending from the inland area toward the Sea of Okhotsk.
For those who want to experience this drive, here's the route from north to south.
As you drive south on National Route 238, which runs from Wakkanai to Abashiri, you'll see a sign near Hama-Sarufutsu that reads, "Esanuka Line (nickname) 500m ahead, turn left." About 500 meters from there, you should encounter another sign marking the entrance to the Esanuka Line.
Turn left after the sign, and you'll come to a T-junction. Turn right there, and you'll be on the Esanuka Line. There's one point where the road curves inland, but other than that, you just keep going straight. Please note that the road is not cleared of snow in winter, so snow may remain until around Golden Week (early May).
A straight road of this length is truly something you can only find in Hokkaido. Come and experience its immense scale with all your senses.
Interview Cooperation
Sarufutsu Village Office, Planning and Policy Division, Tourism Section
Address: 172 Onishibetsu-Nishimachi, Sarufutsu, Soya-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 01635-2-3132
Official Website: https://www.vill.sarufutsu.hokkaido.jp
Photo Courtesy of
Tomoya Kasugai
Among the many options, we highly recommend the Esanuka Line (a nickname), which stretches along the Sea of Okhotsk coast. What kind of scenery awaits?
In northern Hokkaido, along the Sea of Okhotsk, lies the Esanuka Line, a paved road that cuts through pastures.
When you actually stand there, you'll notice not only the absence of traffic lights, but also that the single straight road stretches to the horizon, its end seeming impossibly far away.
The Esanuka Line runs south from Hama-Sarufutsu for about 4.2 km, then veers slightly inland for another 8.4 km. It was reportedly created in the mid-1970s as part of an agricultural land development project to connect several farm roads extending from the inland area toward the Sea of Okhotsk.
For those who want to experience this drive, here's the route from north to south.
As you drive south on National Route 238, which runs from Wakkanai to Abashiri, you'll see a sign near Hama-Sarufutsu that reads, "Esanuka Line (nickname) 500m ahead, turn left." About 500 meters from there, you should encounter another sign marking the entrance to the Esanuka Line.
Turn left after the sign, and you'll come to a T-junction. Turn right there, and you'll be on the Esanuka Line. There's one point where the road curves inland, but other than that, you just keep going straight. Please note that the road is not cleared of snow in winter, so snow may remain until around Golden Week (early May).
A straight road of this length is truly something you can only find in Hokkaido. Come and experience its immense scale with all your senses.
Interview Cooperation
Sarufutsu Village Office, Planning and Policy Division, Tourism Section
Address: 172 Onishibetsu-Nishimachi, Sarufutsu, Soya-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 01635-2-3132
Official Website: https://www.vill.sarufutsu.hokkaido.jp
Photo Courtesy of
Tomoya Kasugai
Writer Profile
Hokkaido Tourism Camera-WriterTeam Buchineko
We are "Team Buchineko," with many connections to tourist spots and facilities in Hokkaido. Even things that seem ordinary to us living in Hokkaido are wonderful resources. We'll be sharing the charms of this amazing prefecture.
