Esan and Todohokke are located about an hour's drive from downtown Hakodate. This area became part of Hakodate City after the 2004 merger, and is home to many of Hakodate's most famous scenic spots, including the active volcano Mount Esan and Cape Esan, the easternmost point of the Oshima Peninsula.

During the drive to Esan, you can enjoy the spectacular views of the Tsugaru Strait and the traditional fishing villages, offering a different kind of Hakodate sightseeing experience compared to walking around the city.

So, this time, we'll introduce some must-see spots around Hakodate, Esan, and Todohokke, as well as some gourmet information to stop by during your drive!

<Table of Contents>
1. A coastal drive from Hakodate city center to the Esan/Todohokke area.
2. Scenic spots you can encounter while driving
3. See with your eyes! Walk around! Tourist spots in the Esan and Todohokke area
4. Take a break at "Michi-no-Eki Natowa Esan"
5. Let's enjoy seafood at "Nanoka Noodle Restaurant"!
Summary

To get from Hakodate city center to the Esan and Todohokke area, the most common route is to drive east along National Route 278, which runs along the coast. It's a straight road with the Tsugaru Strait on your right, so on a clear day you can even see as far as the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture.

Former Toi Line concrete arch bridge

After driving along National Route 278 for a while, you'll come across Shiozaki Cape, the closest point between Hokkaido and Honshu. The distance to Oma in Aomori Prefecture is about 17.5 kilometers, and on a clear day, you can clearly see the townscape of Oma.

Looking to the left and slightly ahead from Shiozaki Cape, you'll see the "Former Toi Line Concrete Arch Bridge." It's a concrete viaduct built on the mountainside below Shiozaki Lighthouse.

Built in 1937 as a 29.2km railway line connecting Goryokaku Station to Toi Station, construction was halted during the war due to the worsening war situation in Japan and a shortage of materials. It is said to be a phantom railway line that never saw a train run on it.

The concrete arch bridge, with its unique European-style atmosphere, is well worth seeing.

Hiura Cave

You could just keep driving along the national highway, but why not take a little detour? Once you enter the Esan area, leave the national highway and head towards Prefectural Road 41, which runs along the coast. On Prefectural Road 41, the old road, is the "Hiura Tunnel." This road is lined with seven hand-dug tunnels carved out of the bedrock jutting out into the Hiura coast.

This road, which opened in 1929 and was used as National Route 278 until a large tunnel was built on it in 1985, still serves as an important local road for residents today, even though it is now Prefectural Route 41.

The Hiura Cave offers a thrilling and scenic drive through towering cliffs, allowing you to feel the Tsugaru Strait up close.

Mount Esan, an active volcano

Returning to National Route 278 from Prefectural Road 41, you'll see Mount Esan, an active volcano, right before your eyes. It's designated as a prefectural natural park, and it's possible to drive up to the vicinity of the crater.

White smoke billows from the crater floor, creating a rugged atmosphere. There are hiking trails, and many people visit for trekking.

At the foot of the mountain, Esan Azalea Park boasts a cluster of approximately 600,000 Ezo azaleas, which paint Esan pink every year from late May to early June. Esan is also known as a famous spot for autumn foliage. You can enjoy beautiful scenery regardless of the season.

Cape Esan

As you drive your car into the mountainous area with Mount Esan on your right, you will enter the Todohokke district. Turn right onto Prefectural Road 231 and then head south on Prefectural Road 635, and you will see "Cape Esan".

A landscape like a painting unfolds before you: a white lighthouse on a green lawn, and the vast blue sea stretching out before you!

Minamihama Onsen

Further south from Cape Esan lies "Minami Kaigan Onsen," an open-air hot spring bath located in the sea. This natural hot spring is formed when seawater mixes with hot spring water that has sprung up due to the geothermal heat of the volcano Mount Esan. Because it is located on the coast, you can only bathe there at low tide. At other times, it is a phantom hot spring that is submerged in the sea.

Besides bathing, many people enjoy swimming in the sea during the summer. After playing in the ocean, you can wait for the tide to go out and relax in the hot springs—a unique experience only available at this onsen.

★Let's go on a long-distance trip to Hakodate with JAL!★

If you're driving towards Mount Esan and Todohokke, you should definitely stop by "Michi-no-Eki Natowa Esan." Located along National Route 278, this facility boasts a superb location with the Tsugaru Strait stretching out before you and Mount Esan visible in the distance.

This tourist spot offers a variety of attractions, from local products like kelp and processed seafood to a variety of other Hakodate specialties, including a souvenir shop, restaurant, playground for toddlers, and an outdoor campsite and fountain area. It's a place that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

"Men Oshokujidokoro Nanohana" is located next to the roadside station Natowa Esan. As the name suggests, it is a Chinese restaurant that mainly serves ramen, but their popular lunch menu is the "Shun no Hama Teishoku" (Seasonal Beach Set Meal), which is limited to 20 servings. The restaurant is run by a fishing business in addition to the restaurant, so the menu features fresh and hearty dishes made with locally sourced seafood.

The rich ramen broth also uses kelp from Mount Esan, allowing you to enjoy the local flavor at a reasonable price.

Above, we introduced the sights and cuisine of the Esan and Todohokke area. With its spectacular views of the Tsugaru Strait and the active volcano Esan, a drive from Hakodate is sure to offer a different kind of Hakodate sightseeing experience.

Enjoying fresh seafood caught near Hakodate is one of the pleasures of a road trip. Why not extend your trip to the Esan and Todohokke areas and discover a new charm of Hakodate?

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