Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

The Bihoro Pass, located in the middle of National Route 243, connects Bihoro and Teshikaga in Eastern Hokkaido. Visitors that stop along the route can see a marvelous panoramic view that has been dubbed the Tenka no Zekkei, or “most beautiful view under the heavens.”  Those that stop by the 525 meter-high observation deck can get a clear, aerial view of Lake Kussharo and the Shiretoko Mountains. On cloudless nights, the star-filled sky is bright all the way until dawn. Travelers that get up early (or stay out late) might be lucky enough to see the white sea of clouds that descends to completely cover Lake Kussharo at dawn.

Nonno no Mori in Tsubetsu is a healing spot named after the Ainu word for flower, Nonno. Designated as a “Forest Therapy Base” based on the Japanese principle of shinrin yoku or “forest bathing,” these woods are considered meditative and healing. Witnessing the changing scenery of the seasons, such as when the forest is painted pink from Japanese primroses in the Summer, is a truly regenerative experience. In Winter, try taking a stroll through the tranquil forest on snowshoes and feel the power of the trees. If you are eager for more, expert guides have organized tours that seek to maximize this forest’s therapeutic effects. Enjoy the ultimate forest healing experience at Nonno no Mori!

At the foot of Tsubetsu Pass, in the heart of Eastern Hokkaido, stands a secluded lamp-lit inn surrounded by deep forest. The hot spring water is alkaline simple hot spring, known as 'beautiful skin water' for its smooth texture. Enjoy this enchanting and mysterious space, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, nestled deep in the forest and enveloped by the scent of the woods.

Hikers should not miss out on a 1.5-kilometer hiking route around the Akan Lake Eco-Museum Center. The highlight of this trek is the “Bokke,” a mud volcano where underground gases and water vapor push hot mud to the surface. Walkers will be treated to the Bokke about 15 minutes from the entrance. Also noteworthy are the various plants of Akan, including the particularly beautiful skunk cabbage that blooms during Golden Week.

The observation and exhibition facility, whose building is designed in the motif of the "yachibozu" found in the marshlands, offers a panoramic view of the marshlands from the observation room on the third floor and the rooftop, and the magnificent scenery spread out before your eyes gives you a vivid impression of the vastness of Hokkaido. Inside the museum, there is a diorama reproducing the marshlands, a 65-inch LCD monitor showing images of the four seasons, and a display of wildlife found in the marshlands. A 2.5-km wooden path around the building allows visitors to enjoy a walk in the forest. A 5-km wooden path connecting to the Onnenai Visitor Center also offers a close-up look at wetland plants and many other attractions. A full-year pass for the observatory and a pass for a tour of the surrounding facilities are also available.