While exploring tourist spots on foot is great, renting a car and driving around Hokkaido is highly recommended for those who want to enjoy their trip even more.

The exhilarating feeling of driving along seemingly endless straight roads while enjoying idyllic scenery and majestic landscapes is something you can hardly experience anywhere but Hokkaido.

In particular, a drive through the mountain passes with a clear blue sky as a backdrop, traversing the vast natural landscape, is an excellent driving course that allows you to experience the true essence of a Hokkaido trip.

Hokkaido has several mountain passes known for their spectacular views, and this time we'll introduce some of our top recommendations.

<Table of Contents>
1. Nakayama Pass
2. Mikuni Pass
3. Bihoro Pass
4. Shiretoko Pass
5. Nissho Pass
6. For mountain pass information, check "Kita no Michi Navi" (Northern Road Navigation).
Summary

Nakayama Pass is located on National Route 230, on the border between Sapporo's Minami Ward and Kimobetsu Town in Abuta District. National Route 230 is a major road connecting central and southern Hokkaido, and it is said that the average daily traffic volume exceeds 1 vehicles.

Although there are many tunnels and curves, this road is relatively easy to drive on compared to other mountain passes in Hokkaido. However, in winter, the road surface can freeze or blizzards can reduce visibility, so caution is advised.

While driving, you can admire the beautiful view of Mount Yotei, also known as Ezo Fuji, and on a clear day, the contrast between the white snow on the summit and the blue sky is dazzling.

At the summit of Nakayama Pass is the roadside station "Boyo Nakayama," a popular resting place for travelers. The parking lot offers panoramic views of Mount Yotei, and it is bustling with tourists, especially during the autumn foliage season.

One of the specialties of Boyo Nakayama is "Toge no Ageimo" (fried potatoes from the mountain pass). This local delicacy of Nakayama Pass has been sold since the time when the product center, the predecessor of the roadside station, was established, and it has been featured on television and in travel magazines many times.

After purchasing freshly fried potatoes, be sure to visit the Mt. Yotei observation deck and free rest area on the second floor. The taste of fried potatoes while gazing at Mt. Yotei is truly exceptional.

https://hokkaido-labo.com/nakayama-pass-10668
[Related Article] Let's go to the roadside station at Nakayama Pass, where you can find the famous "Toge no Ageimo" (fried potatoes from the mountain pass)!

Photo by Wikipedia: Route 275

The highest point on any national highway in Hokkaido is the "Mikuni Pass." This pass is located on National Route 273, on the border between Kamikawa Town in Kawachi District and Kamishihoro Town in Kato District.

Around the pass at an altitude of 1,139m, a vast forest of fir and spruce trees stretches out, and beyond it, the majestic mountains of the Daisetsuzan mountain range rise majestically.

Although the mountain pass has steep inclines and declines and challenging sections like hairpin turns, the scenic Lake Nukabira and refreshing rows of birch trees along the road offer a truly Hokkaido-like driving experience.

When you think of Mikuni Pass, this scenery is what comes to mind! It's a spectacular view from Midorifuka Bridge, located beyond the pass when coming from the direction of Lake Nukabira. The red bridge spanning the valley of the forest is called "Matsumi Ohashi" and is the only road that cuts through the middle of the primeval forest.

Below the bridge lies a valley so deep it seems you could be sucked in, and in front of you is only a single road. Beyond that, the sky stretches endlessly, and the otherworldly, fantastical scenery takes your breath away.

One of the most famous mountain passes offering spectacular views is Bihoro Pass, located on the border between Bihoro Town in Abashiri District and Teshikaga Town in Kawakami District.

This mountain pass drive along National Route 243, which connects major cities in eastern Hokkaido such as Kushiro and Kitami, offers stunning views of Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake, and Mount Iwo, which emits volcanic smoke. On clear days, you can also see the Shiretoko mountain range and Mount Shari in the distance, making it one of eastern Hokkaido's most spectacular scenic spots.

Bihoro Pass is also known as a spot for viewing sea of ​​clouds. Many people visit early in the morning to catch a glimpse of the fantastical sea of ​​clouds that covers the cobalt blue Lake Kussharo.

Near the summit, at an altitude of 525m, there is a roadside station called "Gurutto Panorama Bihoro Pass," where you can enjoy a meal or take a break while admiring the spectacular view of Bihoro Pass.

While Bihoro Pass is renowned for its scenic views, it is also prone to fog, as evidenced by the frequent formation of seas of clouds. The unobstructed summit area often experiences blizzards in winter, frequently leading to road closures.

When crossing mountain passes on rainy or snowy days, it's a good idea to check traffic information thoroughly beforehand.

Shiretoko Pass is located on the border between Rausu Town in Menashi District and Shari Town in Shari District. It is a pass at the top of the Shiretoko Crossing Road, part of National Route 334, but it is also famous as "Japan's national highway with the shortest open period," as it is closed to traffic due to snow from late October to mid-April every year.

The charm of Shiretoko Pass lies in the breathtaking views of Shiretoko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the parking area at the summit, you can see Mount Rausu, still covered in snow even in summer. On clear days, you can even see Kunashir Island, one of the Northern Territories, across the sea.

From late September to early October, the mountain pass is adorned with the vibrant autumn colors of trees such as Japanese white birch, rowan, and Japanese maple. Once the leaves have fallen, a long winter descends upon Shiretoko Pass.

While driving along the Shiretoko Pass, surrounded by magnificent nature, you might encounter red foxes and Hokkaido deer. It will be a precious memory of your Hokkaido trip, but please be very careful of wild animals.

National Route 274 is the shortest route connecting central and eastern Hokkaido. The Nissho Pass is located on the border between Hidaka Town in Saru District and Shimizu Town in Kamikawa District along this route.

The mountain pass, at an altitude of 1,023 meters, is known for its many sharp curves and steep inclines, and is considered the most challenging section of National Route 274. Near the 6th station of the pass, there is an observation deck from which you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Tokachi Plain.

The Nissho Pass had been closed to traffic due to road collapses and other damage caused by Typhoon No. 10 in August 2016, but restoration work has now been completed and the road reopened on October 28, 2017.

Driving along mountain passes offers breathtaking scenery unique to Hokkaido, but depending on the weather, there may be traffic restrictions or road closures. If you want to know the latest road conditions in Hokkaido as quickly as possible, we recommend "Kita no Michi Navi," a comprehensive road information website for Hokkaido.

In addition to traffic restrictions and road closures, the app provides real-time updates on road conditions at each mountain pass. Furthermore, it rates the difficulty of each pass on a five-point scale, allowing you to plan your drive according to your driving skill level.

We've introduced some of Hokkaido's best scenic mountain passes. Whether you enjoy the breathtaking views from inside your car at a comfortable speed or get out of your car and admire the scenery from the top, both offer plenty of Hokkaido's charm.

In addition to the places mentioned, Hokkaido has many other locations where you can enjoy driving through mountain passes! When you visit Hokkaido, be sure to rent a car and enjoy a scenic drive!

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