Found along this tour is the famous Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa city. Follow this long distance, 2 days 3 nights ambitious itinerary from the villages along Sea of Okhotsk to northern Hokkaido and further along the coast of Japan Sea. Spend the first half of your day strolling leisurely through Asahiyama Zoo and enjoy observing the animals from a variety of angles that can only be found in this unique facility. Don’t forget to drop by the zoo shop that sells an array of plush toys and other cute and interesting souvenirs.
Next day, after relaxing in Sounkyo’s hot springs, drive through dairies and farmlands on your way towards Japan’s northernmost tip, Wakkanai. On the third day, be enchanted by the beautiful expanse of nature in Sarobetsu. Head down the coastal Ororon Line, passing by Teshio, Haboro and Rumoi, and enjoy the breath-taking scenery as it unravels along the Japan Sea. This is the best place for a cool and refreshing summer drive in Hokkaido.
As for the culinary offerings, check out ‘North Plain Farm’ in Okoppe-cho facing Sea of Okhotsk. Enjoy a glass of Okoppe milk and yoghurt while gazing at the farm before you. The farm is also well-known for their cakes, cream puffs, and freshly baked bread made from their milk and cheese. Northern Hokkaido’s towns like Wakkanai and Enbetsu have an abundance of fresh seafood, especially octopus. Wakkanai is known for their tako-shabu (octopus shabu-shabu) while the tako-okowa (octopus red bean rice) is popular in Enbetsu. As the fugu fish can usually be caught in the open seas of Shosanbetsu, do check out the menu there too.
Asahiyama Zoo, Asahikawa City
The northernmost zoo that garners the highest popularity even today
A zoo of nation-wide fame, Asahiyama Zoo endeavors to present animals in their most natural state through its innovative ‘ethological exhibits’. One reason for Asahiyama Zoo’s popularity is the amount of effort that went into creating a facility allowing visitors to observe the expressions and movements of animals from a close distance. For example, visitors can observe the antics of the lively penguins underwater through an underwater tunnel in the ‘Penguin Aquarium’, be awed by the majestic polar bears diving into the water through a halved dome, and be enchanted by the graceful seals swimming through a cylindrical tube that is linked to the ‘Seal Aquarium’. In addition, ‘Ezo Deer Forest’, a new facility next to ‘Forest of Wolves’, was just opened in 29th April 2009. The ‘Gibbon Enclosure’ is also slated to re-open in autumn. The zoo is also well-known for its ‘Mogu Mogu Time’, where the schedule of animals’ feeding time is announced for visitors to observe their eating habits. When the zoo is blanketed by snow in the winter, visitors get to admire the penguins strolling leisurely through the zoo grounds, another famed attraction that the zoo boasts of.
Asahiyama Zoo has an excellent track record for breeding animals from the northern hemisphere, and is the first facility in Japan to naturally breed polar bears, amur leopards and Japanese scops owls successfully. A restaurant, ‘Mogu mogu Terrace’ is situated near the southern gates and its menu is filled with ingredients fresh from local farms. Visitors young and old will definitely be enchanted by this unique zoo.
Sounkyo Onsen
A large onsen (hot spring) town found at base of Daisetsuzan’s Kurodake (Mt Kuro)
One of the symbolic hot springs of Hokkaido, Sounkyo Onsen is found at the food of Daisetsuzan’s Kurodake. The hot spring here was discovered in 1900 (Meiji 33) and it started as a simple little cabin called ‘Shio-tani’. Thereafter, various large hotels were built and the area was renamed as Sounkyo Onsen. Currently, there are a total of 18 accommodations, including several hotels, and a day tour facility. A commercial district can be found in this town too.
Kurodake Ropeway, Sounkyo
A wide expanse of majestic Daisetsuzan mountain range spread before your eyes
Make a move towards the peak of Daisetsuzan’s Kurodake from Sounkyo’s hot spring town using a ropeway and transfer to a lift. Although Kurodake stands at an altitude of 1984 meters, the lift goes all the way to the 7th station and there is no need to climb up the mountain to enjoy the incredible view from the top. With a 30 minutes ride on the ropeway, visitors can arrive at an altitude of 1300 meters and admire the panorama before them. As the ropeway opens as early as 6am from June to October, visitors can also enjoy the early morning mist if they wish too.
North Plain farm
將新鮮牛乳的美味發揮到極致的極品霜淇淋
North Plain Farm位在酪農業興盛的興部町，致力於牛隻的健康，這裡生產的霜淇淋不添加雞蛋和香草，充分展現興部牛乳最原始的美味。除了牛乳和起士之外，還有生牛奶糖等甜點，以及香腸和漢堡排等肉類製品。自製的漢堡排，使用健康牛隻的瘦肉部位，油脂較少，美味又健康。
Soya Misaki (Soya Cape)
The monument that marks the northernmost point of Japan
The tip of Cape Soya is a monument that marks the northernmost point of Japan at the latitude of 45 degrees, 31 minutes and 22 seconds. A point of the Polaris star stands as a motive on the circular pedestal and the ‘N’ in the center represents north. From here, the wide expanse of sea spreads out from the east, west and north and visitors can see Sakhalin Islands 43 meters away. With a parking space conveniently located nearby and surrounded by beds of ‘Hamanasu’ (Rugosa rose), this is the perfect spot for snapping some photos for memories’ sake.
Wakkanai Park
Encounter a monument upon which history was written
A park upon a hillock that offers an unbroken view of Wakkanai’s streets. Surrounded by nature, the forest park blossoms into pink cherry blossoms in mid-May and visitors can check out an observatory tower built to commemorate a hundred years of history here. Another unique aspect of the park is the variety of monuments spread over its grounds. One famous monument is the ‘Gate to Ice and Snow’, constructed by Hokkaido-born sculptor, Shin Hongo. Built to commemorate the people who died in Karafuto and standing at a majestic height of 8m, one can see the silhouette of Sakhalin island through it. Camp ground facilities are available too.
Sarobetsu Genya
The wetlands of Sarobetsu, surrounded by mountains and nature
A large wetland which stretches 8km from east to west, and 27km from north to south. Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park is a high latitude wetland that leaves visitors astounded by the scale of its size over Hokkaido. While considered a sea-level flatland, due to its high latitude, many alpine plants can be seen here. Situated almost in the center of the wetland is Sarobetsu Gensei Kaen (Sarobetsu Natural Wildflower Garden), where visitors can conveniently stroll along a walkway to further enjoy the beauty of nature. Don’t forget to drop by the Sarobetsu Gensei Kaen Visitor Center for detailed information on the wildlife of this wetland before setting off towards the walkway.
Michi no Eki (Roadside Station) Fujimi
Gaze upon the broad expanse of Japan Sea from a seaside restaurant atop a hill
Fujimi is roadside station found in the center of Route 232 (Nihonkai Ororon Line), a road that connects Wakkanai city to Rumoi city. The main facility on the hill, Restaurant Tongarikan, is the perfect location to catch the sight of Rishiri Fuji across the Japan Sea on a clear day. Found behind this roadside station is Fujimigaoka Park, where a variety of facilities including park golf, a farming garden, and a loghouse are available for the family to enjoy.
Michi no Eki (Roadside Station), Roman-Kaido Shosanbetsu
Luxuriate in a relaxing hot spring and the romance of a star-filled sky
Situated along Route 232, Shosanbetsu village’s main sightseeing spot, ‘Misakidai Park’ also doubles as a roadside station. Misakidai Park contains a dazzling array of entertainment suitable for the family, including an astronomical observatory, hot spring, restaurant, camp grounds, park golf and go-cart tracks. What’s more, Shosanbetsu contains a number of hidden activities, including a particular vantage point that can’t be found anywhere else.
Michi no Eki (Roadside Station), Hotto Haboro
A roadside station complete with hot spring, rose garden and a marine bird center
Hotto Haboro is found along Route 232. The main facility, Haboro Onsen Sunset Plaza, is renovated in the image of a luxurious cabin in a cruise ship. Get to relax both your mind and body at a variety of facilities including hot springs, outdoor hot spring, bathhouse, outdoor pool, and admire the view of Teuri Island and Yagishiri Island across Japan Sea from the 7th floor observatory. The nearby Haboro Rose Garden boasts of rare roses from the northern hemisphere while Hokkaido Marine Bird Center contains a wealth of information on the marine birds of Teuri Island.
