Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Bihoro Pass, standing at an elevation of 525 meters and connecting Bihoro Town and Teshikaga Town, is known for its "world's most beautiful scenery," attracting numerous tourists each year. From the observation deck, you can overlook Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake, and the still-active volcano, Mount Iou. In the distance, you can also see the snow-capped Shiretoko mountain range.

The scenery at Bihoro Pass changes with the seasons. Even in spring and autumn, under the right conditions, you can see a sea of clouds from before dawn until morning. Many tourists visit early in the morning to witness this mystical phenomenon. Nowadays, it is also a must-see spot for bikers and cyclists.

Note: During winter, access to the observation deck may be closed due to blizzards or other severe weather conditions.

Shiretoko Five Lakes are five mystical lakes nestled in the primeval forest with the Shiretoko mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as their backdrop. The area is home to many wild animals, and you can often see bear tracks and woodpecker marks, allowing you to feel the rich nature of the Shiretoko region.

There are two ways to visit Shiretoko Five Lakes. One is the elevated wooden path, which is about 800 meters long and takes 40 minutes to an hour round trip. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the Shiretoko Five Lakes and the Shiretoko mountain range. The other way is to visit the ground-level walking paths, which are divided into two routes: 3 km and 1.6 km. You can stroll through the primeval forest and experience the lakes' natural ecosystem up close. If you're lucky, you might encounter Hokkaido squirrels or deer.

Shiretoko Five Lakes is also known as a sacred place for autumn foliage. The leaves start to change color in late September, with the peak viewing period from early to mid-October. In November, the larch trees by the lakeside turn golden, reflecting the snow-capped Shiretoko mountain range in a scene that truly feels like a miracle created by the hand of God.

The park is open from late April to early November each year, and you can participate in winter tours during the off-season.

Visiting the ground-level walking paths: From May 10 to July 31, you need to join a guided tour (paid and reservation required) to visit the ground-level walking paths. On the park's closed days, May 9 and August 1, you must attend a lecture on how to avoid and deal with bear encounters.

Märchen Hill is a beautiful landscape located along National Route 39 in Memanbetsu, Ozora Town. On a hill with an elevation of 35 meters, 7-8 larch trees are planted, surrounded by vast farmland, creating a serene rural scene. The scenery is so picturesque that it looks like something out of a fairy tale, hence the name "Märchen Hill." It is also a popular spot because the late director Akira Kurosawa filmed his movie "Dreams" here!

Märchen Hill offers different views with each season. In summer, the wheat fields and white potato flowers are in full bloom, while in winter, the white snow and larch trees create a stunning contrast.

"Road to the Sky" is a 28.1 km long road located in Minehama, Shari Town. This straight road seems to stretch endlessly, giving the impression that it leads all the way to the heavens, hence the name "Road to the Sky." Originally known only to locals, this spot gained nationwide fame after being featured as a scenic view in an airline's in-flight magazine in 2016.

While the daytime scenery is undoubtedly beautiful, the sight of the sky turning red as the sun sets is even more breathtaking. From late September to early October, you can witness the once-in-a-lifetime view of the sunset right in the middle of the road.