The Hidaka region is one of the earliest areas in Hokkaido to be mentioned in Japanese history.

Compared to other areas, there are fewer impactful tourist attractions, but the vast landscape created by the Pacific Ocean and the wilderness will surprise and impress visitors.

And speaking of Hidaka, it's the number one breeding ground for racehorses in Japan.
Nearly 7% of racehorse farms are located in Hidaka. A major attraction here is the chance to see cute foals and legendary racehorses of yesteryear!

This time, we'll introduce some recommended tourist spots for those visiting Hidaka for the first time!

<Table of Contents>
1. Monbetsu Racecourse (Hidaka Town)
2. Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum (Biratori Town)
3. Niikappu Onsen "Record no Yu" (Niikappu Town)
4. Thoroughbred Ginza (Niikappu Town)
5. Nijukken Road Cherry Blossom Avenue (Shinhidaka Town)
6. Urakawa Thoroughbred Road (Urakawa Town)
7. Cape Enrum (Samani Town)
8. Mt. Apoi Geopark (Samani Town)
9. Lake Samani (Erimo Town)
10. Cape Erimo (Erimo Town)
Afterword

Completed in 1997, Monbetsu Racecourse is the newest racecourse in Japan.

Photo by Wikipedia/Horse-faced Nagaina

The glass-enclosed venue allows you to enjoy the races without worrying about the cold or rain, even in bad weather!
The races held here are local Hokkaido horse races, but as you might expect from a racecourse located in a horse breeding region, it has a large course.

The outer course is 1,600m long, with a 330m straight stretch before the finish line, roughly the same size as the course at Ohi Racecourse (Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo), the largest regional racecourse.
Hokkaido, a major horse breeding region, is a racecourse that is highly regarded by those involved in horse racing, as many horses that perform well here go on to compete in the Japan Racing Association (JRA).

All races here are held at night. The sight of thoroughbreds galloping across the illuminated racecourse at dusk is truly magical!

Photo by Wikipedia/Goki

[Spot Information]
Address: 76-1 Komagaoka, Tomikawa, Hidaka-cho, Saru-gun
Phone: 01456-2-4110
Access by car:
Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes by car from Sapporo
Approximately 50 minutes by car from Chitose
(Both routes involve taking the Hokkaido Expressway to the Hidaka Expressway and exiting at either the Mukawa IC or Hidaka Tomikawa IC.)
Access by JR train: Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes from Sapporo Station to Tomikawa Station via Tomakomai.
(Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from Bucheon Station)
Access by express bus: From Sapporo Station Terminal to Monbetsu Racecourse (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes)
Free shuttle bus available

<PR>
Win 10 yen in cash? ? An exciting event is currently underway!
Niikappu Heartwarming Stamp Rally 2017
The "Niikappu Heartwarming Stamp Rally 2017" is being held in Niikappu Town, the hometown of horses, from April 22nd to September 30th, 2017.
Visit three or more tourist spots in town, up to a maximum of seven, collect stamps at each location, and enter the contest for a chance to win prizes (275 winners in total).
Participants have commented, "What a wonderful view!", "The horses are so cute!", and "I rediscovered the charm of Niikappu," making it increasingly popular! Why not take this opportunity to enjoy Niikappu town and its sprawling horse ranch scenery?
[Niikappu Town Tourism Association Official Website]For more information, click here

The Nibutani district in the Hidaka region is known as an Ainu village.
You can experience that culture at the Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum.

The exhibits mainly consist of everyday household items. Clothing, tableware, toys, and ritual objects used during ceremonies are all preserved and displayed.
The Ainu people, who have lived in harmony with nature, create uniquely designed folk tools that are like works of art and truly worth seeing!

[Access information]
Address: 55 Nibutani, Biratori-cho, Saru-gun
Access: Driving is the most convenient option. (There are also JR train and bus/express bus options, but these take longer.)
[From Sapporo] Take the Hokkaido Expressway, then the Hidaka Expressway, exit at Hidaka-Tomikawa IC, and proceed via National Route 237 for approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes.
[From New Chitose Airport] Take National Route 36, exit at Hidaka-Tomikawa IC on the Hidaka Expressway, then take National Route 237 for approximately 1 hour.
Opening hours: 9:00-16:30
休館日：4月16日～11月15日は無休、11月16日～4月15日は毎週月曜日、12月16日～1月15日は1か月休館
Admission fee: Adults 400 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 150 yen
(A joint ticket is available for the Kayano Shigeji Futani Ainu Museum and Biratori Onsen Yukara.)
Phone number: 01457-2-2892
home page:http://www.town.biratori.hokkaido.jp/biratori/nibutani/

Next up is Niikappu Onsen "Record no Yu".
Those are some unique names, aren't they?

Niikappu Town is known as the "town of records," and it is said to possess a collection of over 60 records.
Therefore, the name of the hot spring is also related to records.

The hot spring water is of excellent quality, making it a popular destination not only for local residents but also for visitors from the neighboring Iburi region and Sapporo. Overnight stays are also available.

The view from the open-air bath is especially spectacular, with a vast grassland stretching out before you. It's a sight you won't easily experience at other open-air baths!
In the evening, you can also watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean!

[Access information]
Address: 16-3 Nishitomatsu, Niikappu-cho, Niikappu-gun
Access by car:
Approximately 135 kilometers from Sapporo (2 hours by car)
Approximately 85 kilometers from New Chitose Airport (1 hour 20 minutes by car)
Day trip bathing
Opening hours: 5:00 AM - 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM - 22:00 PM
Admission fee: Adults 500 yen, Elementary school students 300 yen
Telephone number: 0146-47-2100
home page:http://hotelhills.jp/

One of the must-see attractions when visiting Hidaka is, of course, seeing the thoroughbred horses.
If you're driving along National Route 235, you'll come across the entrance to Thoroughbred Ginza.

If you follow the signs towards the mountains, you'll find a row of horse pastures along the road, and you can see horses grazing everywhere!

The horses are so adorable that you might find yourself captivated by their charm, but for those who want to stop their car and admire the horses at their leisure, there's the "Thoroughbred Ginza Parking Park."

Because this park is located on a hill, you can see the entire Thoroughbred Ginza area.
The neighborhood is dotted with places that commemorate famous racehorses that captivated horse racing fans of yesteryear, such as the "Narita Brian Memorial Museum" and the "High Seiko Gravestone."

Even if you're not familiar with famous racehorses, this is a healing spot where simply being in the vast pasture will soothe your soul.

[Spot Information]
Thoroughbred Ginza Parking Park
Address: Takae, Niikappu-cho, Niikappu-gun, Hokkaido
For inquiries, please call 0146-45-7300 (Niikappu Town Tourism Association).

Next, we'd like to introduce the "Shizunai Nijukken Road Cherry Blossom Avenue," one of Hokkaido's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots.

Photo by Flickr: Nijukken-dori Cherry Blossom Avenue / Hales Suen

It is said that this row of trees was originally created to welcome members of the imperial family who were inspecting the Imperial Household Ministry's Imperial Ranch.

It has now become a spot that has been selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots," and is said to be the best cherry blossom avenue in Japan.
Currently, in addition to being listed among Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots, it is also registered as one of Japan's Top 100 Roads and a Hokkaido Heritage Site.

The cherry tree-lined street is mainly composed of Ezo cherry trees, and in early May, when they bloom, as many as 200,000 people visit from all over the country, making the area extremely crowded.

However, this beautiful row of cherry trees is still well worth seeing.

[Access information]
Address: Shizunai Tahara and Shizunai Misono, Shinhidaka-cho, Hidaka-gun, Hokkaido
Access by car: Approximately 1 hour from Hidaka-Monbetsu Interchange on the Hidaka Expressway, following National Route 235.
For inquiries: 0146-42-1000 (Shinhidaka Tourism Association)
home page(On the Shinhidaka Tourism Association website）

Alongside Niikappu's Thoroughbred Ginza, another famous spot is "Urakawa Thoroughbred Road."

Urakawa is known as the "hometown of champion horses" because it has a long history of raising racehorses.
The area where these historic ranches are located is called Thoroughbred Road. This is another spot that is frequently visited by avid horse racing fans.

Nearby is the resort facility "Urakawa Yushun Village AERU," where you can enjoy various activities such as horseback riding and fishing, and also stay overnight.
Additionally, the attached large public bath, "Aeru no Yu," is a popular spa among locals.

[Access information]
Urakawa Thoroughbred Road
Address: Kamikineusu, Urakawa-cho, Urakawa-gun and Ogifushi, Urakawa-cho, Urakawa-gun
Access by car:
[Nishihorobetsu district]
From Sapporo, take National Route 36 or the Hokkaido Expressway/Hidaka Expressway and exit at "Hidaka-Monbetsu IC," then take National Routes 235, 236, or Tenma Kaido.
[Ogifuse district]
From Sapporo, take National Route 36 or the Hokkaido Expressway/Hidaka Expressway and exit at "Hidaka-Monbetsu IC," then take National Route 235, and head towards Nobuka from Ogifushi town.
*There is no parking available.
For inquiries, please contact: 0146-26-9014 (Urakawa Town Hall, Fisheries, Commerce and Tourism Division)

[Spot Information]
Urakawa Yushun Village AERU
Address: 141-40 Nishisha, Urakawa-cho, Urakawa-gun
Access by car: 3 hours from Sapporo via the Hokkaido Expressway.
Telephone number: 0146-28-2111
home page: http://aeru-urakawa.co.jp/

Enrum Cape is a small cape located in Samani Town. It is situated within the "Mount Apoi Geopark" area.

Originally, it was a small island, but sand accumulated between it and the coast, connecting it to the mainland.
It is now a small hill standing on the coast.

From the top of the cape, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, the town of Samani, and Mount Apoi.

Samani Beach is dotted with numerous strangely shaped rocks, including one named "Oyako-iwa" (Parent and Child Rocks), creating a fantastical atmosphere along the coastline.

The beauty of the sunset, in particular, is exceptional.

Strangely enough, alpine plants grow naturally on this cape, mixed in with coastal plants.
This is said to be because this cape was once part of Mount Apoi.

[Spot Information]
Address: Kaisho-cho, Samani-machi, Samani-gun
Access by car:
From Sapporo, take National Route 36 or the Hokkaido Expressway/Hidaka Expressway and exit at "Hidaka-Monbetsu IC". Proceed along National Routes 235, 236, and 336, then turn right at the traffic light in Samani-cho Honcho 3-chome (signposted).
Telephone number: 0146-36-2119 (Samani Town Hall, Commerce and Tourism Division)

A "geopark" is a park where you can learn about the workings of the Earth.
This term has gradually become more widely known along with the rise of the outdoor activity boom.

Currently, there are two geoparks in Hokkaido.
There is the "Lake Toya-Usu Geopark," and then there is the "Mount Apoi Geopark," which we will introduce to you today.

Mount Apoi is well known for its alpine plants, and every year many hikers head to Mount Apoi to enjoy the alpine flower fields.

Climbing a mountain can be tough, but if you'd like to get a taste of mountaineering, you can experience the atmosphere of the mountains at the exhibits located at the "Apoi-dake Visitor Center" at the foot of the mountain!

In particular, the Mt. Apoi Geopark was recognized as a "Global Geopark" in September 2015, so it is sure to become an even more popular spot in the future!

[Spot Information]
Mount Apoi Visitor Center
Address: 479-7 Hirau, Samani-cho, Samani-gun
access:
Opening hours: (April to November) 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
closing day:
Admission: Free
Telephone number: 0146-36-3601

Next, I'll introduce Lake Samani.
This lake is famous for its appearance in the commercial for "Shiroi Koibito," a well-known Hokkaido confection.

If you've been to Hokkaido many times, you've probably seen "Heartlake" in local TV commercials!

In fact, getting to this lake is quite difficult.
The only means of transportation is by car.
What's more, you can't see the heart shape at all from the ground! That's a bit of a shame.

However, last fall, a limited-time helicopter tour was offered that allowed visitors to view Heartlake from the air.

The tour costs around 1 yen and lasts about 10 minutes, but it's a great experience to see the heart shape from the sky, just like in that commercial!
They also mentioned that they are planning to operate flights in the fall this year.

[Spot Information]
Address: 54 Meguro, Erimo-machi, Horozumi-gun (Hokkaido Prefectural Forest, Block 135)
Access by car: From Sapporo, take the Hokkaido Expressway to Tomakomai East IC, then the Hidaka Expressway to Hidaka Monbetsu IC, then head south on National Route 235 and National Route 336 to the town of Honmachi in Erimo (4 hours). From the town of Honmachi in Erimo, it's a 1-hour drive.
*Parking available
For inquiries: 01466-2-2241 (Erimo Tourism Association)

Lastly, we'll introduce Cape Erimo, famous for its hit song.
It's one of Hidaka's most representative tourist spots and appears very frequently on television broadcasts!

When you actually witness the dynamic landscape where the Hidaka Mountains seem to extend straight into the Pacific Ocean, you will experience the tremendous power of nature!

Cape Erimo is famous for its unique scenery, but locally in Hokkaido, it's well known as a region with strong winds!
With winds usually blowing at 10-30 m/s, it's difficult to enjoy the view from the cape, and sometimes it can even be dangerous!

But don't worry! "Erimo Cape Wind Museum" has a glass-enclosed observation room.
Here, you can enjoy the scenery of the cape and leisurely observe the harbor seals that inhabit the cape without worrying about strong winds!

[Spot Information]
Address: Cape Erimo, Erimo-cho, Horozumi-gun
Access: From Sapporo, take the Hokkaido Expressway to Tomakomai East IC, then the Hidaka Expressway to Hidaka Monbetsu IC, then head south on National Route 235 and National Route 336 to the town of Honmachi in Erimo (4 hours). From the town of Honmachi in Erimo, take Prefectural Road 34 (Erimo Park Line) for 15 minutes.
*Parking available
For inquiries, please call 01466-3-1133 (Erimo Cape "Kaze no Yakata").

Afterword

That concludes our introduction to recommended tourist spots for first-time visitors to Hidaka. What did you think?

Although we couldn't introduce them this time, in addition to these tourist spots, Hidaka is blessed with a wide variety of abundant seafood and mountain produce, including domestically produced shishamo fish, wagyu beef, tomatoes, and bell peppers!

Also, there are hot springs scattered around, so you can enjoy stopping by them while driving!

It may be overshadowed by other tourist destinations, but Hidaka is an area that becomes more fascinating the more you get to know it!
We especially recommend this to repeat visitors to Hokkaido. Please come and visit us!

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