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Enjoy the grand panorama that is so typical of Hokkaido!! A summer drive around Eastern Hokkaido [Scenic Byway Hokkaido (1)]
This route coordinator
This drive route
Kushiro Marsh, Akan, Mashu Scenic Byway
This route includes world-famous tourist destinations such as Kushiro-shitsugen National Park and Akan National Park. It is made up of four areas: the Kushiro-shitsugen area, which is a Ramsar Convention registered wetland with untouched nature, the Akan-ko area, which is surrounded by magnificent mountain natural scenery and is centered around Lake Akan, where marimo (moss balls) sleep, the Teshikaga area, which includes the mysterious lakes Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo surrounded by primeval forests, and the Nakashibetsu area, where the rolling pastures and lattice-shaped windbreaks create a unique sense of openness.
Let's go for a drive right away!
1 Scenic Cafe: 900 Grassland
900 Grassland, located at the southern edge of Teshikaga Town, is a vast town-run ranch covering 1,440 hectares. The scenery is amazing, but the best thing to do here is play park golf. This is a full-scale course certified by the International Park Golf Association, and you can rent clubs and balls at the rest house. The rest house is also certified as a scenic cafe, where you can enjoy local delicacies such as Ezo venison burger and Mashu soba noodles.
900 Grassland (town ranch)■Location 418-66 Tobetsu, Teshikaga-cho ■ Contact Information 015-482-5009 (When closed, call 015-482-2936, Teshikaga Town Hall, Agriculture and Forestry Division) ■ Business hours Rest House Opening period: May to October Time: 10:00-16:00 ■ Map
2 Lake Mashu
One place you definitely can't miss is Lake Mashu. Mashu No. 1 Observation Deck is located about 10 km from the center of Teshikaga Town, and Mashu No. 3 Observation Deck is located a few kilometers further north. The first observation deck is crowded with tourists, but I love the blue of Lake Mashu that can be seen from the third observation deck on a clear day! I have taken many photos, but nothing compares to the true blue of the lake.
Lake Mashu■Location Teshikaga Plains, Teshikaga Town, Kawakami District, Hokkaido ■ Map
3 Mount Iwo
If you descend from the north side of Lake Mashu's observation deck, you will arrive near Kawayu Onsen. To the south of Kawayu Onsen is Mount Iou, where sulfur was once actually mined. As you walk from the rest house towards Mount Io, you will feel vibrations and sounds under your feet and the smell of sulfur will suddenly become stronger. We recommend taking a good look at the sulfur flowers, but please be careful not to get burned.
Mount Iwo■Location Kawayu, Teshikaga Town, Kawakami District, Hokkaido ■ Map
4 Bihoro Pass
Bihoro Pass offers a truly magnificent panorama. From the observation deck at an altitude of 525m, Lake Kussharo spreads out before your eyes, and across the lake you can see Mount Iou, which you visited earlier, and Mount Mashu, which embraces Lake Mashu. The route from the Kussharo area on the shores of Lake Kussharo, over the top of Bihoro Pass, to the Fukuzumi area of Bihoro town, is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Hokkaido!
Bihoro Pass■Location Kussharo, Teshikaga Town, Kawakami District, Hokkaido ■ Map
5 Kaiyodai
Kaiyodai is said to be a mecca for riders. The horizon stretches out before you, creating a truly panoramic view. The road on the east side of the Kaiyoudai entrance is called Nakashibetsu Milk Road, and is a point from which you can get a panoramic view of the straight road that goes up and down many times into the distance. If you go up to Kaiyodai, you should definitely try the honey soft serve at Cafe Kaiyodai inside the observation deck! The thick honey is cooled in the soft serve ice cream, creating an exquisite texture!
Kaiyodai■Location Matarachi, Nakashibetsu Town, Shibetsu District, Hokkaido ■ Business hours Business period: late April to late October Business hours: 9:00 to 17:30 *9:00am to 4:30pm in October ■ Map
summary
This route was packed with breathtaking views that can only be seen in Hokkaido, and it made the Domingo editorial team want to go for a drive right away. Why not enjoy Hokkaido's short summer by going for a drive? Please enjoy your drive while taking thorough measures to prevent infectious diseases.Scenic Byway Hokkaido
A scenic byway is an initiative led by local residents, working hand in hand with businesses and local governments to create unique and vibrant communities, landscapes, and attractive tourist spaces. Started in 2005, as of the end of December 2019, there are 13 designated routes and three candidate routes, with approximately 440 organizations actively involved.Scenic Byway Hokkaido
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