Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

The three travelers on this trip, Aiden from the U.K., Glenn from Australia, and Jeremy from the U.S., gathered at JR Obihiro Station and drove to the Higashidaisetsu area, where Lake Shikaribetsu and Lake Nukabira are located.

First, gather information at the Higashitaisetsu Nature center,  located at the entrance to Higashi-Daisetsu. We confirmed the nature and size of the Daisetsuzan National Park and Higashi-Daisetsu area through dioramas and videos, and learned a lot about the animals and plants that live there.

On the first and second nights, you will stay at Nakamuraya in Nukabira Onsen, a hot spring resort located in the Nukabira fountainhead area, surrounded by the natural beauty of Eastern Daisetsu. The inn is located in the Nukabira fountainhead area, surrounded by the nature of Eastern Daisetsu. In the mixed bathing open-air bath, turn off the lights and enjoy the countless stars that fill the night sky. The inn has a comfortable nostalgic space in a renovated old ryokan established in 1931, and is also known for its meals featuring wild vegetables and wildflowers from the surrounding area.

Leave the inn and drive to the Sanosawa Bridge. There you will meet your guide from “Cycling Frontier Hokkaido” and head out on a 50 km bicycle ride to the Mikuni Pass Observation Deck. After a brief lecture, we will check our equipment and set off!

Our first destination was the Tausubetsu River Bridge Observation Deck. This is a railroad heritage site that tells the history of the former Japan National Railways' Shihoro Line, which once connected Obihiro and Tokachimikata. According to the guide, the bridge is likely to collapse in a few years due to severe erosion after the line was closed, and the three were glad to have seen it before that happens. The platform and tracks remained at the site of the old Horoka Station, and everyone enjoyed walking on the tracks and moving points (turnouts) together. Everyone enjoyed walking on the tracks and moving the points (turnouts), which brought them back to their childhood memories.

From here, the 30 km hill climb finally heads toward the Mikuni Pass Observation Deck. As expected, there are differences among individuals, and the distance between each car is getting wider than when they were running on the flat road. However, everyone was pedaling hard and climbing the hill. The last rest stop was at the “Matsumi Ohashi Bridge” before the observatory. The view from here was closer to the sea of trees than the observatory, and the scenery was so spectacular that it seemed to suck us in. Then, with the last of our strength, we took a commemorative photo at the “Mikuni Pass Observation Deck” at the goal. The weather was fine and we were able to enjoy the best panorama of the day.

The cycling experience ended at the Mikuni Pass Observatory. After parting with our guide, we drove back to Nukabira Fountainhead and enjoyed lunch at “Bistro Fuuka”. It was late when we entered the restaurant, so we could only choose curry, but the warm curry soaked into our tired bodies after the hill climb. The three of us, who had been too cold and tired to say much, were all cheerful. After lunch, we went to “Naitai Terrace. It is a popular spot famous for its magnificent view of the ranch, but unfortunately we could not see it due to fog. Nevertheless, the sweetness of the soft-serve ice cream soothed our hearts and bodies.

On the third day, we will head to Shikaribetsu Nature Center, about an hour's drive from Nukabira Gensen-go. After receiving a lecture from the guide on how to ride and maneuver a kayak, we will board the kayak in pairs. We will go out on the lake and head for the opposite shore where Lake Shinonome is located. Lake Shikaribetsu is the highest of all the lakes in Hokkaido, which means that the autumn leaves come early. When we visited, the leaves had just passed their peak, and the sound of the oars hitting the water was the only sound in the beautifully tranquil nature, creating an elegant moment.

Once we reached the other side of the river, we left our kayaks behind and went for a walk in the forest at the foot of Mt. We walked to a spot overlooking Lake Shinonome. The area is a windhole zone, and there are several places where cold wind blows out from the gaps in the rocks. The three of us were intrigued by our guide's description of the permafrost underground in this area, where temperatures are cooler. Jeremy, who loves plants, actively asked questions to the guide about the variety of mosses that grow here and the alpine plants that can be seen even though the altitude is low.

After returning to “Shikaribetsu Nature Center” by kayak again, we will break up with our guide. At “Café mubanchi” on the second floor of the center, we enjoyed a lunch of beef stew, pizza, French toast, etc. while looking at the lake where we enjoyed kayaking.

Before leaving Lake Shikaribetsu for Obihiro, we decided to stop by “Shika-no-yu,” which Jeremy recommended as a good place to visit. There are several natural hot springs in Shikaribetsu Gorge, but Shika-no-yu is by far the most popular of them all. Located on the campground grounds, this natural open-air bath is right next to the river. While Glenn and Aidan enjoyed the footbath, Jeremy couldn't resist and took a full-body bath. The water was a little lukewarm, but he seemed to be enjoying it.

Our last night's stay will be at Hotel Nupuka Hanare, located 3 minutes from JR Obihiro Station. It is a popular hotel with guest rooms spacious enough to accommodate a family, and the warmth of the wood also adds to the feeling of comfort. After checking in, go to “Yakiniku Restaurant Heiwaen” for dinner. We were treated to a taste of the famous yakiniku restaurant in Tokachi, which has nine branches in Hokkaido and is loved by the citizens of the city.