Let's go to the roadside station at Nakayama Pass, where you can find the famous "Toge no Ageimo" (deep-fried potatoes from the mountain pass)! Hokkaido Lab ~A Hokkaido travel guide to enjoy gourmet food, nature, and culture~

Let's go to the roadside station at Nakayama Pass, where you can find the famous "Toge no Ageimo" (deep-fried potatoes from the mountain pass)!

: Post

: Last updated: September 11, 2018

Table of contents

1. Roadside Station "Boyo Nakayama"

2. Deep-fried potatoes from the mountain pass

3. Panoramic Observation Deck

4. Nakayama Pass Forest Art Museum <Closed>

5. Nakayama Pass Ski Resort

6. Teahouse at the mountain pass

<Conclusion>

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

Nakayama Pass is a mountain pass connecting Minami Ward in Sapporo City, Hokkaido, and Kimobetsu Town in Abuta District.
Nakayama Pass is a major arterial road connecting central and southern Hokkaido, and is known for its extremely heavy traffic as it is the shortest route from Sapporo to Niseko, Lake Toya, and Hakodate.

Located at the summit of Nakayama Pass is the roadside station "Boyo Nakayama".
Because it's located in a place that's easy to stop by during a road trip, it's always bustling with people.
If you're ever driving through Nakayama Pass, be sure to stop by the roadside station "Boyo Nakayama".

<Contents>
1. Roadside Station "Boyo Nakayama"
2. Deep-fried potatoes from the mountain pass
3. Panoramic Observation Deck
4. Nakayama Pass Forest Art Museum
5. Nakayama Pass Ski Resort
6. Teahouse at the mountain pass
Final thoughts

1. Roadside Station "Boyo Nakayama"

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

The roadside station "Boyo Nakayama" is a complex facility that includes a sales corner famous for its "ageimo" (fried potatoes), souvenir shops, a restaurant and rest area, and the "Forest Art Museum."

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

Located right at the summit of Nakayama Pass, it's a perfect place to take a break and a popular spot where many people stop by.
During the autumn foliage season, the surrounding area, being located in the mountains, offers excellent locations for photography.
In addition to the restrooms inside this building, there are also large, well-maintained restrooms in the parking lot.

During peak tourist season, there can be long lines for the restrooms, so in such cases, it's a good idea to use the restrooms located outside.

[Roadside Station Boyo Nakayama]
Address: 345 Kawakami, Kimobetsu-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0136-33-2671
Opening hours: 8 hours to 17 hours 30 minutes
Regular holidays/Open all year round

2. Deep-fried potatoes from the mountain pass

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

Speaking of specialties of Nakayama Pass, there's "Toge no Ageimo" (fried potatoes from the pass), which has been sold since 1968.

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

Originally known as a specialty of the roadside station "Boyo Nakayama," it gained nationwide recognition after being featured on the TV program "Himitsu no Kenmin SHOW." It's so popular that there's always a small line at the shop.

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

The "ageimo" here comes with three fried potatoes on a single skewer.
It's quite heavy, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and although it's substantial, the dough is on the sweeter side, so you end up eating it all in one go as a snack.
If you have dinner at your accommodation coming up soon, you might want to eat in moderation.

The flavor deteriorates as it cools, so be sure to eat it while it's still warm.

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

Other popular items at the shop include "Nakayama Chicken" and "Toge no An Donuts," which sometimes sell out.

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

There's also a corner where you can freely season and customize the "ageimo" (fried potatoes) with over 10 different condiments, but if it's your first time trying it, we recommend eating it as is!

If you want to customize the dish, a tray is provided, so it's best to dip the condiments into the tray rather than pouring them directly onto the fried potatoes.

3. Panoramic Observation Deck

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

On the second floor of the roadside station "Boyo Nakayama," there is a restaurant where you can eat, and a "Mount Yotei Observation Deck and Free Rest Area" with great views.

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

On clear days, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Mount Yotei, also known as Ezo Fuji.

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

You can buy fried potatoes or Nakayama chicken on the first floor and eat them in the rest area on the second floor.

4. Nakayama Pass Forest Art Museum <Closed>

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station
*The museum closed on November 5, 2017, due to difficulties in storing and managing the artworks.

Even many people in Hokkaido don't know this, but there's an art museum located behind the roadside station "Boyo Nakayama".

You can also enter from inside the roadside station, but it seems that many people are so engrossed in eating fried potatoes that they pass by without noticing it.
Therefore, it's become something of a hidden gem.

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

Until a few years ago, it was called the "Forest of Photography Museum," but now it mainly exhibits paintings created by art students in Hokkaido, and its name has changed to "Forest Museum."
The building is very quiet and a very relaxing space.

Furthermore, "Owl Forest," produced by renowned owl photographer Tadashi Shimada, features a mechanism that allows visitors to hear the "boo" sound of a Blakiston's fish owl as they enter the dimly lit room.

Admission is free, so it's definitely a place worth visiting.

[Forest Museum] <Closed>
address:~~345 Kawakami, Kimobetsu-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido~~
Phone Number:~~0136-33-2671~~
Hours:~~9:００~17：XNUMX~~
Regular holidays:~~Open all year round~~
Admission fee:~~Free~~

5. Nakayama Pass Ski Resort

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

Nakayama Pass Ski Resort is a rather unusual ski resort because it closes from mid-December, right in the middle of the ski season, until late March.
On the other hand, it's a unique ski resort where you can enjoy skiing until around June, provided the snow conditions are good.

Of course, ski and snowboard rentals are available, so you can enjoy skiing even if you drop by on a whim.
Operating hours and other details may change, so please check the website beforehand.

[Nakayama Pass Ski Resort]
Address: 345 Kawakami, Kimobetsu-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0136-33-3373
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM *May be subject to change depending on weather and course conditions.
Operating period: Early November to mid-December, and early April to early May (after that, operating only on weekends depending on snow conditions).
URL:http://nakayama-ski.com/

6. Teahouse at the mountain pass

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

There is also a "Toge no Chaya" (mountain pass teahouse) across from the "Boyo Nakayama" roadside station.

We also have "ageimo" here, but it's a different product from the one featured on TV.
If the roadside station "Boyo Nakayama" is crowded, this might be a good place to take a break.

Nakayama Pass Roadside Station

There is a stone monument for Nakayama Pass in the parking lot, so on sunny days you often see people taking pictures with the monument and Mount Yotei in the background.

<Conclusion>

The road leading to Nakayama Pass is a major road and therefore experiences very heavy traffic.
Even for those who are not confident drivers, this mountain pass is relatively gentle and wide, so you can safely pass through if you drive slowly to match the pace of the surrounding traffic.

During the autumn foliage season, the scenery along the mountain pass is dyed crimson, offering beautiful views of the changing leaves. However, there are very few places to stop your car along the way, so the only photo spot is the roadside station at the summit.

When you pass through Nakayama Pass, be sure to stop by the roadside station at the summit, enjoy the local specialty "ageimo" (fried potatoes), and have a great drive.

Please also check out these related articles.