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Winter Leisure Season is Here! Enjoy the Ice and Snow of Sounkyo & Okhotsk [Scenic Byway Hokkaido (17)]
This Drive Route
Sounkyo-Okhotsk Scenic Byway
This area is located from the northeastern part of central Kamikawa to the northwestern part of the Okhotsk Subprefecture. It is an area rich in diverse regional resources, from tourism assets centered around Mount Kurodake of the Daisetsuzan mountain range in the west, Sounkyo Onsen, one of the leading hot spring resorts in Hokkaido, and Saroma Lake in Abashiri Quasi-National Park in the east, to flower tourism in the inland areas, waterfalls, mountain streams, and dam lakes in the mountainous regions, as well as Hokkaido's representative seafood, fresh agricultural products, and processed foods made from them.
With the extension of the Asahikawa-Monbetsu Expressway, access between major tourist spots has improved, and an enhancement in tour-around potential is expected. The area boasts a wealth of tourism resources that offer economies of scale, and diverse combinations and collaborations among them are anticipated.
Recommended Spots to Stop by During Your Drive!
1. Michi-no-Eki Mori no Okhotsk & Engaru Rock Valley Ski Area
2. Garinko-go III IMERU
3. Okhotsk Sea Ice Park
4. Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival
1
Michi-no-Eki Mori no Okhotsk & Engaru Rock Valley Ski Area
This is the first roadside station (Michi-no-Eki) in Hokkaido to be attached to a ski resort. It features a total of 6 courses for everyone from beginners to advanced skiers, as well as a bobsledding area. You can directly access the slopes from the "Rock Valley Lodge" on the second floor of the roadside station.
The roadside station offers a food menu using local ingredients, regional specialty products, and a high-concentration carbonated spring footbath that is highly effective for fatigue recovery.
Michi-no-Eki Engaru Mori no Okhotsk
■Location
150-1 Nogami, Engaru-cho
■Contact
0158-42-4536
■Business Hours
・1st Floor Toilet/Rest Area: 24 hours
・Footbath: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
・Shop: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
・Food Court: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Last Order/5:00 PM)
・Ski Resort:
[December-February] Tue-Sat 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Sun/Mon/Holidays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
[March] Tue-Fri 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Sat/Sun/Mon/Holidays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
*Subject to change depending on slope conditions, etc.
・Stamp Collection Time: Available 24 hours
■Closed
Open year-round *May have temporary closures for maintenance, etc.
■MAPCODE
617 389 299*41
■Map
2
Garinko-go III IMERU
The smell of the sea, the flow of the wind, the colors woven by the drift ice and seawater, the sound of the ice breaking, and savoring dishes made with local products at the food court. You can enjoy this mysterious and fascinating world that only those who have been on board can understand with all five senses. The new ship "Garinko-go III IMERU" was launched on January 9, 2021. Its capacity and speed are significantly increased compared to its predecessor, the Garinko-go II, which is a designated Hokkaido Heritage site! It operates with a two-ship system.
Okhotsk Garinko Tower Co., Ltd.
■Location
1 Kaiyokoen, Monbetsu-shi
■Contact
0158-24-8000
■Business Hours
Varies depending on the season, day of the week, and ship type, so please refer to the website.
・Okhotsk Garinko Tower Co., Ltd. 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
・Kaiyo Koryukan Food Court (Representative menus in parentheses)
Kaisen Rin Shokudo (Seafood bowls) 11:00 AM -
quattro Garinko-ten (Pasta) 11:00 AM -
Takoyaki Boss (Takoyaki) 11:00 AM -
Kita Bokujo (Hamburgers) 10:00 AM -
Rurukoshimpu (Curry) 11:00 AM -
Garinko-ya (Baked sweet potatoes) 11:00 AM -
Nishiya (Ramen) 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
For details, click here.
■Closed
[Period from January to March 2022]
Garinko-go II: Closed every Wednesday (Operating period Jan 20 - Mar 4)
Food Court restaurants: Scheduled to be open every day (Individual stores may have temporary closures)
*Nishiya: Closed on Tuesdays in January and March (Open every day in February)
*(Garinko-go III IMERU: Suspended for maintenance for the time being)
■MAPCODE
801 585 792*30
■Map
3
Okhotsk Sea Ice Park
We are planning to hold the Sea Ice Park Winterland 2022, a winter activity event that utilizes the space and facilities of the Okhotsk Sea Ice Park. We are preparing various events to fully enjoy winter, including activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow rafting, as well as nature experience sessions and a snow play area.
Okhotsk Sea Ice Park
■Location
101 Motomonbetsu, Monbetsu-shi
■Contact
0158-27-4560
■Business Hours
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
■Closed
◆Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing experience: Open daily (Experience period: Mid-January to early March 2021)
◆Snow rafting & banana boat experience: Closed Monday-Friday (Experience period: Late January to early March 2021)
■MAPCODE
801 527 539*51
■Map
4
Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival
A major event that represents winter in Sounkyo. Ice sculptures created by making the most of nature line the Ishikari River, creating a magical scene when lit up. The theme of the ice sculptures and event details change every year. In the past, unique events such as the Extreme Cold Certificate, Ice Fall Shrine, and ice climbing have been held. Look forward to it!
The 47th Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival
■Location
Sounkyo Onsen, Kamikawa-cho (Special venue)
■Contact
01658-2-1811 (Sounkyo Tourist Association)
01658-5-3350 (Sounkyo Tourist Information Center)
■Business Hours
5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
■Closed
Open daily during the event period from late January to March.
■MAPCODE
623 232 018*64
■Map
How did you like it?
This route was all about fully experiencing winter's snow, ice, and cold. Be sure to enjoy the magical scenery and fun winter activities that can only be found this time of year.
Please take all necessary precautions against COVID-19 and drive carefully on winter roads to enjoy your trip.
Scenic Byway Hokkaido
Started in 2005, there are currently 13 designated routes and 3 candidate routes, with about 460 organizations participating.
Scenic Byway Hokkaido
Read More!
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