Bihoro Pass, which connects Bihoro Town and Teshikaga Town, is a mountain pass on National Route 243 that offers spectacular views from an altitude of 525 meters.
It is also the boundary between the Okhotsk region and the Kushiro region.

On clear days, Bihoro Pass offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, attracting many visitors every year who come to enjoy the magnificent natural scenery.

This place, a popular spot for motorcycle and bicycle tours, displays a rich array of colors throughout the four seasons.

This time, we'll introduce you to the many charms of Bihoro Pass!
Why not enjoy a magnificent view that you'll want to gaze at forever?

<Table of Contents>
1: What is Bihoro Pass?
2: Experience the four seasons of Bihoro Pass!
3: This is what Bihoro Pass is like.
4: Bihoro Pass Gourmet
5. Access to Bihoro Pass
6. Conclusion

Opened in 1920, the Bihoro Pass is located along National Route 243, on the border between Bihoro Town in Abashiri District and Teshikaga Town in Kawakami District, Hokkaido.
Located within Akan National Park (scheduled to be renamed Akan-Mashu National Park in the near future), the site offers views of Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake, from an altitude of 525 meters.

This is one of the leading tourist destinations in eastern Hokkaido, bustling with over 70 tourists annually who come from all over Japan to catch a glimpse of its spectacular scenery.

Bihoro Pass offers a magnificent panoramic view where you can experience the grand scale of nature and its changing seasons.

The sky was a brilliant blue today, as I visited for the interview!
The greenery was dazzling, and many motorcyclists were visiting.

Beyond the lake, you can see the Shiretoko mountain range and Atosanupuri (also known as Iwoyama), offering a view that seems to encapsulate the best of eastern Hokkaido.

Bihoro Pass is a well-known spot among sea of ​​clouds enthusiasts. When the weather conditions are right, you can see a sea of ​​clouds there!
Many people visit early in the morning, drawn by the mystical scenery.

It is also a popular spot for watching the first sunrise of the New Year, and an event called the "First Sunrise Festival" is held there every year.
It looks like you'll be able to do your best to get a good shot despite the cold weather.

Please note that during winter, road conditions may impose restrictions, resulting in fewer tourists.
The tranquil atmosphere of Lake Kussharo, frozen over, evokes the harsh cold of Hokkaido's winter.

The roadside station "Gurutto Panorama Bihoro Pass" located at Bihoro Pass has been selected as one of the top 16 roadside stations in TripAdvisor's annual "Best Roadside Stations to Visit" ranking, and its charm is known not only in Hokkaido but throughout Japan.

It's a very popular spot, having been selected for numerous roadside station rankings.

Also, on the way to the observation deck, there is a monument inscribed with a song, and the song "Bihoro Pass" plays.
This monument was established in memory of the great singer Hibari Misora ​​of the Showa era, and it is still cherished today as a song that expresses the travel experience of the Bihoro Pass.

The rest house's second floor displays handwritten letters from Hibari Misora, making it a must-visit spot for fans.

If you descend towards the foot of the mountain on the Bihoro side, you will find "Toge no Yu Bihoro" hot spring.

This facility features a spacious dome-shaped structure with beams made of logs, and is characterized by its open and airy indoor bath.
There are also log cabins and tent spaces where motorcyclists can stay, making it a recommended place to relax and recover from the fatigue of travel.

You can only get this here! "Bamboo Grass Soft Serve"

This bamboo grass soft serve ice cream is especially recommended for those who are health-conscious.

This product incorporates powdered bamboo grass tea, which has excellent benefits for beauty and health, including blood purification, into a cream.
This soft-serve ice cream has a light, refreshing matcha-like flavor, making it easy for everyone from children to the elderly to enjoy.

One is enough to fill you up! "Original Fried Potatoes"

Deep-fried potatoes are a familiar staple of Hokkaido's takeout menu, but "Ganso Ageimo" in Bihoro Pass is a popular menu item that uses locally grown Kitakari potatoes coated in a special batter and deep-fried.

The batter is slightly sweet, and the Kita Akari potatoes inside are fluffy and delicious, making it very satisfying to eat.
During the summer tourist season, hundreds of fried potatoes are sold every day, but just one is enough to fill you up.

Akan Bus:
Memanbetsu-Bihoro Bus (Memanbetsu Airport ⇔ Bihoro Station ⇔ Bihoro Pass) No reservation required
Two buses run per day. Adults: 500 yen, Children: 250 yen.
*Limited to mid-July to early October

Other limited-time offers: (Available from July 16th to October 4th)
Akan National Park & ​​Abashiri 4-Day Free Passport: Adults ¥4,000, Children ¥2,000
Akan-Shiretoko National Park 7-Day Free Passport: Adults ¥11,000, Children ¥5,500

Taxi/car:
Approximately 26 minutes by car from Bihoro Town (approximately 26 km)
Approximately 34 minutes by car from Teshikaga Town (approximately 32 km)
Approximately 35 minutes by car from Memanbetsu Airport (approximately 34 km)
Approximately 80 minutes by car from Nakashibetsu Airport (approximately 82 km)

During the peak summer season, many people come from all over the country on motorcycle and bike tours.
I realized once again that it's because I want to fully immerse myself in this magnificent scenery.

The climb from the parking lot to the top of the observation deck is quite steep, so it's a good idea for women to wear comfortable shoes like sneakers.

Why not come and experience the magnificent panoramic view of Lake Kussharo stretching out below, surrounded by breathtaking scenery?
You're sure to be captivated by the magnificent natural beauty!

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