Look at this beautiful panoramic view!

The spectacular view here is from Funka Bay Panorama Park, a park adjacent to the Yakumo Parking Area on the Hokkaido Expressway in southern Hokkaido.
It's a well-known stop on road trips, perfect for unwinding after a long journey.

It would be a shame to just stop by to use the restroom at Funka Bay Panorama Park. We'll tell you all about its charms, including the views, the delicious food, and the many things that kids will love.

Table of contents
1. Confirm the location of Yakumo Town.
2. The appeal of Funka Bay Panorama Park
3. A "hillside station" where local products are sold.
4. Panorama Hall (Visitor Center)
5. Sometimes we have events like this too!
6. Conclusion

Yakumo Town is located in southern Hokkaido, on the Oshima Peninsula.
It is the only town in Japan that faces both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of ​​Japan.

Yakumo Town is a town located near Hakodate, and with the recent opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, the number of tourists arriving from Honshu by rental car is increasing.
It's about 70 km from Hakodate, and about 1 hour and 30 minutes away by expressway.

It's about 200km from Sapporo, a 3-hour and 30-minute drive.
When enjoying a long-distance drive, having a place to take a break and relax is extremely important.

These parking areas with facilities offer more than just a place to rest and recover from physical fatigue; they also allow you to experience the unique characteristics of the area, making them an enjoyable part of your travel experience.

The Funka Bay Panorama Park, directly connected to the rest area, is an excellent spot to stop by.
Drivers traveling between Sapporo and Hakodate should definitely consider stopping by instead of just passing through.

There is one thing I would like you to be especially careful about.
Funka Bay Panorama Park has separate parking areas for the general public and for those using the expressway.

You cannot access the expressway directly from this park, so please use the Yakumo Interchange!

The main attraction of Funka Bay Panorama Park? Without a doubt, it's the panoramic view that lives up to its name!

It opened in 18 as "a hill for interaction where you can encounter beautiful scenery."
And that round area that the land of Hokkaido seems to be embracing with its right hand is Funka Bay (Uchiura Bay).

Because it offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, it has become a popular spot for tourists.
This park, built on gently rolling hills, covers a vast area of ​​7 hectares and includes a park golf course and facilities for camping.

This is "Hill Station," located on a hilltop. Here you can get tourist information about Hakodate, Suttsu, and Rankoshi in the surrounding Yakumo area, and purchase about 500 local specialty products.

This is an antenna shop that disseminates information for urban development in southern Hokkaido.

The park was bustling with many visitors that day, as an event was being held there.

Among the items that attracted particular attention were the sweets displayed in the refrigerated cases and the hot snacks that could be eaten with one hand even while driving.
Here are some of the products sold at "Hillside Station".

From the back left
▽Yakumo Cheese Factory "Drinking Yogurt" 150ml 194 yen (excluding tax)
It has a rich, creamy texture, allowing you to enjoy the true taste of milk.

▽Kuraya Confectionery Salted Caramel Pudding 278 yen (excluding tax)
The mild salt from Kumaishi deep-sea water enhances the sweetness.

From the front left
▽Yakumo Healthy Pork Skewer Cutlet 185 yen (excluding tax)
Lightly flavored kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) made with firm, finely textured pork.

▽Yakumo Beef and Yakumo Pork Menchi Katsu (minced meat cutlet) 150 yen (excluding tax)
A luxurious minced meat cutlet packed with the rich flavor of meat.

I saw many customers filling their shopping baskets to the brim. I want to try them all!
There were plenty of local specialties that I would love for that person to try, so I'm very happy with this!

The sweetness of the desserts enjoyed amidst the breathtaking view overlooking Funka Bay will make you forget all the fatigue from a long drive!

Furthermore, the hot snacks were just the right size to satisfy a light craving, and they were packed with an addictive deliciousness that made me want to eat them again.

This modern and sophisticated building is the "Panorama Hall (Visitor Center)."

The long, horizontally oriented facility, perfectly suited to its panoramic location, featured an indoor play space called "Kids Arena" where children could play regardless of the weather, such as rain.

When the children see this, they shake off their fathers' hands and all start running!

A ball pit that's a big hit with toddlers, and rock climbing that will satisfy even the most energetic kids—it's the perfect oasis for children!
It's the moment when your body, which had been bored and cramped during a long drive, bursts with energy.

Right next door is "Panorama Cafe Harvester," where you can relax and enjoy a cup of coffee while taking in the sight of energetic children and the stunning view outside.

The facility also includes a restaurant and a souvenir shop.
If it's lunchtime, it would be nice to have a meal together as a family.

■ Panorama Hall (Visitor Center)
Opening period: Open all year round (except for the New Year holidays)
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed on: Every Monday (If Monday is a public holiday, the library will be closed the following day)
Entrance fee: free
Nursing room, coin lockers, and FREESPOT facilities are available.
TEL: 0137-65-6030

■ Panorama Cafe Harvester (Cafeteria inside the Panorama Building)
Operating period: Open all year round (some changes to the menu and operating hours from December 12st)
Hours: 11: 00 ~ 16: 00
Closed: Every Monday, New Year holidays
TEL: 0137-65-3003

An event was taking place that day.
A huge array of agricultural machinery that you don't normally get to see was on display.

The massive tires, almost as tall as a child, and the powerful form create a truly impressive presence!
And do you know what this vehicle is used for? It's a tractor that transports hay bales, which are used as food for cows.

It firmly grips and grabs with the arm at the tip!

And here's a jungle gym made of hay bales!
A massive, large-scale playground, typical of Hokkaido, had appeared.

The cakes are piled up so lightly, it's almost as if they're just regular roll cakes stacked on top of each other.

It's a tunnel carved out of a giant tree trunk. A luxurious amusement space has been set up, transforming the great outdoors into a playground.

And here's the ultimate attraction! A Tarzan rope swing utilizing the hills of the surrounding area.

This is a dynamic and unusual game, created by stretching a rope between a large tractor and a transport truck.
The adults seemed very excited as well.

These events can be found on the Funka Bay Panorama Park official website under "Event Information." It seems the facility staff have carefully planned and are holding fun events throughout the seasons.

■ Funka Bay Panorama Park Official Website

How was it?

Funka Bay Panorama Park is far too impressive to be simply called a stopover spot, boasting excellent facilities, delicious food, and breathtaking scenery. It truly is an oasis on the highway.

Because Hokkaido is such a vast landmass, its expressways tend to be monotonous and long in length.
Take a good rest at these rest areas and make your Hokkaido trip the best it can be!

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