Nisekoannupuri is derived from "Niseko(an)," which means "a sheer cliff (with a river flowing below it)" in the Ainu language, and "nupuri," which also means "mountain" in the Ainu language, thus meaning "a mountain with a sheer cliff and a river below it."

Niseko is a beautiful town rich in nature, surrounded by mountains of over 1.000 meters, centered around Mount Niseko Annupuri and the Niseko mountain range. The Hokkaido Prefectural Road 66, which runs from JR Niseko Station, the gateway to Niseko, to Iwanai Town, is known as the "Niseko Panorama Line" and is famous as an excellent driving route where you can enjoy beautiful scenery.

This time, we'll introduce the charms of the Niseko Panorama Line, a place you'll especially want to visit during the autumn foliage season.

<Contents>
1. What is the Niseko Panorama Line?
2. Highlights of the Niseko Panorama Line
3. Niseko Panorama Line and shops to visit in Niseko
4. Day trip hot springs to visit near the Niseko Panorama Line
5. When the Niseko Panorama Line is open and when it is closed.

Photo courtesy of / Gift from the Northern Land Photo by (C) RARURU

The "Niseko Panorama Line," a route along Hokkaido Prefectural Road 66 that runs from JR Niseko Station to Iwanai Town, is extremely popular because it allows drivers to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the mountains surrounding Niseko, which changes with the seasons, while driving.

Photo courtesy of / Gift from the Northern Land Photo by (C) RARURU

On a clear day, you can see the majestic Mount Yotei and even the Sea of ​​Japan. The surrounding area is also full of attractions, delicious restaurants and cafes, and relaxing hot spring facilities perfect for unwinding after a day trip.

Image provided by: Free stock photo collection Travel Photo

How about taking a leisurely day trip along winding roads in the vast northern landscape, where breathtaking scenery unfolds one after another?

- The most mystical and beautiful place in Niseko: "Shinsennuma"

Image provided by: Free stock photo collection Travel Photo

Shinsennuma, located at an altitude of 770m and surrounded by Yezo spruce, is said to be the most mystical and beautiful of the many marshes in Niseko. The refreshing and soothing scenery of the green and water in early spring is lovely, but it is especially famous for its spectacular autumn foliage. During the autumn foliage season, many tourists visit to admire the picturesque scenery that stretches as far as the eye can see.

Additionally, buses depart from Niseko Town Station on weekends, so you can enjoy the stunning autumn scenery of the Panorama Line and Shinsennuma Lake even without a car.

Image provided by: Free stock photo collection Travel Photo

Located at an altitude of 760m, the area is surrounded by many alpine plants, and a well-maintained wooden boardwalk leads from the parking lot, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely stroll and reach the marsh in about 20 minutes.

Shinsen Marsh
Address: Kyowa-cho, Iwanai-gun, Hokkaido
TEL: 0135-73-2011 (Kyowa Town Hall, Industry Division, Commerce and Tourism Section)
http://www.town.kyowa.hokkaido.jp/kankou/spot/shinsennuma.html
Parking: Available, 90 spaces, free of charge

Image provided by: Niseko Outdoor Center

If you want to fully enjoy Shinsennuma Marsh and the surrounding wetlands, we recommend joining the Shinsennuma Nature Tour offered by Niseko Outdoor Center.

Image provided by: Niseko Outdoor Center

This well-maintained boardwalk course is easy for people of all ages, from children to seniors, to enjoy while observing alpine plants with a nature guide. The walk itself takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the entire course takes 2 hours and 30 minutes, making it easy to participate and sure to create wonderful memories.

Image provided by: Niseko Outdoor Center

For those who want to enjoy even more of Niseko's outdoors, there's also an outdoor package that combines a canoe tour on the Shiribetsu River with a nature tour of Shinsennuma, allowing you to spend a fulfilling day in Niseko, a place overflowing with beautiful nature.

Niseko Outdoor Center
Address: 138 Soga, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：0136-44-1133
http://www.noc-hokkaido.jp/nocnature1.html

・The mysterious Oyu-numa hot spring with rising steam

Image provided by: Free stock photo collection Travel Photo
Niseko Yumoto Onsenkyo is located at the foot of Mt. Chisenupuri in Rankoshi Town, along the Niseko Panorama Line. The source of the hot spring is a large pond measuring 50m long, 90m wide, and 200m in circumference, on which "yellow spherical sulfur," considered to be of academic value, floats on the surface of the water, and 1,000 liters of hot spring water gush out from the bottom of the pond every minute.

Image provided by: Hokkaido Free Photo Stock DO PHOTO

There are walking paths around the area, allowing you to take a stroll all the way around the steaming marsh. You can also descend a staircase called the "Yu-sawari Staircase" along the way to find a footbath, but be careful as the water can be quite hot.

3. Niseko Panorama Line and shops to visit in Niseko

SEED BAGEL&COFFEE COMPANY

Image provided by: SEED BAGEL&COFFEE COMPANY
SEED Bagel & Coffee Company is famous for its exquisite bagels made with spring water from Mount Yotei.
This charming cafe, nestled in the forests of Niseko Arima, boasts a simple yet warm, woody exterior.

Image provided by: SEED BAGEL&COFFEE COMPANY
Enjoying the shop's signature generously filled bagels and bagel sandwiches in this tranquil cafe surrounded by beautiful greenery is perfect for lunch.

This shop also has a bagel factory on-site, and their slightly sweet, chewy bagels are famous not only locally but also in urban areas, and there are always long lines at events held in Sapporo and other places.

Image provided by: SEED BAGEL&COFFEE COMPANY
It's quite difficult to buy, and many fans even travel all the way to Niseko to get their hands on it. The store closes once it's sold out, so please be sure to get yours early.

SEED BAGEL&COFFEE COMPANY
Address: 61-5 Arishima, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：0136-55-5331
Closed holiday: irregular holiday
Opening hours: 9:00 - 16:00 (or until sold out)
http://seedbagel.com/top/index.html

Tearoom Cambridge

Image provided by: Cheese Factory Creil
Located in Oikomi, Kyowa-cho, Hokkaido, this cafe, surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees, feels like something straight out of a painting. In this charming cafe with an exotic atmosphere, you can enjoy exquisite sweets made with fresh cheese produced at the cheese factory on the same premises, as well as more than 20 kinds of authentic teas, making it difficult to choose just one.

Image provided by: Cheese Factory Creil
Also located on the same premises is the cheese factory Creil, founded in 1975, which is famous for its high-quality, fresh Camembert cheese made using the traditional French natural cheese-making method. Many customers travel from far away just to buy their cheese.

Image provided by: Cheese Factory Creil
And for good reason! Creil's raw Camembert cheese, made without any additives, contains live lactic acid bacteria, making it an authentic cheese that tastes as if it were warped straight from France. If you visit, be sure to check out their factory as well!

Tearoom "Cambridge"
Address: 320-3 Okomi, Kyowa-cho, Iwanai-gun, within the grounds of the long-established Camembert shop, Creil.
TEL：0135-62-2281
Business period: Late April to early November
Closed days: Tearoom... Wednesday and Thursday
Cheese shop... Open every day during the period
Opening hours: 2F Tearoom 10:00 - 17:00 (Last order 16:30)
1F Cheese Shop: 10:00 AM - 18:00 PM
http://www.camb-tea.com/

・BBQ House Kikitei

Image provided by: Ikoi no Yu Yado Iroha
Enjoying a barbecue with friends and family amidst the magnificent nature of Niseko is sure to create lasting memories. As the name suggests, the restaurant's interior is warm and inviting, with plenty of wood used throughout, high ceilings, and a bright, open atmosphere. Lunch and dinner are both all-you-can-eat buffet style, where you can enjoy the surrounding nature through the large windows. There is an abundance of fresh vegetables, meats such as kalbi, jingisukan, and sirloin, as well as seafood such as whelks, scallops, sweet shrimp, and mackerel. Be sure to come with an empty stomach!

Furthermore, this is an annex of "Ikoi no Yu Yado Iroha," which will be introduced later. The main hotel also accepts day-trippers for hot spring bathing, so you can enjoy a day of driving, barbecuing, and hot springs for a truly satisfying experience.

Barbecue House Kikitei
Address: 477 Niseko, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
TEL: 0136-58-3111 (Ikoi no Yu Yado Iroha)
Opening hours: Lunch 12:00 - 14:30 (Last order 14:00)
Evening hours: 17:00 - 21:30 (Last order 20:00)
Opening hours vary depending on the season.

Ikoi no Yu Yado Iroha

Image provided by: Ikoi no Yu Yado Iroha
The hot spring inn adjacent to the aforementioned Kiki-tei BBQ House also accepts day-trip visitors. Soaking in the open-air bath surrounded by beautiful greenery or the spacious public bath is sure to relieve your daily stress and fatigue.

Image provided by: Ikoi no Yu Yado Iroha
Furthermore, this open-air bath is also famous for its skin-beautifying properties. The sodium bicarbonate spring water is said to soften the skin's surface and remove sebum and dirt, and you can feel the effects the moment you get in. This is definitely a place you'll want to stop by to relieve stress and improve your skin, leaving you feeling refreshed both inside and out.

Ikoi no Yu Yado Iroha
Address: 477 Niseko, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：0136-58-3111
Day-use bathing: 12:00 - 22:00 (reception until 21:00) Open-air bath cleaning days: 13:00 -
Price: Adult 800 Yen, Child 400 Yen
Guests dining at the Kiki-tei BBQ House will receive a "Hot Spring Bath Discount Coupon." *The discount varies depending on the Kiki-tei plan.
http://www.niseko-iroha.com/spa/index.html

Niseko Annupuri Onsen Yukokutei

Image provided by: Niseko Annupuri Onsen Yukokutei

There are times when you arrive at your destination too early in the morning, or after sightseeing late into the night, you just want to soak in a hot spring, right? Niseko Annupuri Onsen Yukokutei accepts day-trip bathers from 24 AM to midnight, so you can make the most of your time while traveling. And best of all, both the open-air and indoor baths use 100% natural hot spring water that flows directly from the source.

Image provided by: Niseko Annupuri Onsen Yukokutei

Thankfully, the massage chairs in the relaxation area after your bath are free to use, so you can relax both your body and mind. Also, the baths are frequently cleaned and the water is changed, so not only are the baths always clean, but the 100% natural hot spring water is also fresh, which is great because it enhances the therapeutic effects of the hot spring. Opening hours change on cleaning days, so please check the website before you visit.

Image provided by: Niseko Annupuri Onsen Yukokutei

Furthermore, at the tonkatsu specialty restaurant "Konayuki Tonton" located inside the facility, if you order a lunch special such as the juicy, thick tonkatsu set meal (pictured left, 1,490 yen / tax included) made with free-range pork from Ecorin Village in Eniwa, Hokkaido, or the Konayuki Tonton plum and shiso roll and colorful vegetable bucket set meal (pictured right, 1,490 yen / tax included), which is limited to 5 servings each on Saturdays and Sundays, you can enjoy the wonderful perk of free entry to the hot springs (a separate bathing tax of 100 yen applies).

Niseko Annupuri Onsen Yukokutei
Address: 438 Niseko, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：0136-58-2500
Day-use bathing: 6:00 AM - 24:00 AM (Last entry at 23:00 PM)
Cleaning days: 16:00 - 24:00 (twice a week in summer, once a week in winter)
Admission fees: Adults 700 yen / Junior high school students 600 yen / Elementary school students 500 yen / Infants free
http://www.niseko-annupurionsen.com/spa/index.php

~Check these out too~
[Popular, Classic, and Hidden Hot Springs] 6 Recommended Hot Springs in Niseko You'll Want to Visit Now!

5. When the Niseko Panorama Line is open and when it is closed.

Photo courtesy of / Gift from the Northern Land Photo by (C) RARURU
You can enjoy driving along the Niseko Panorama Line from spring to autumn. The Niseko Panorama Line, also known as Hokkaido Prefectural Road 10 (Iwanai-Toya Line), is closed to traffic during the winter months from the Okomi Gate in Kyowa Town to the Yunozato Gate in Rankoshi Town. The road is closed every year from late October to late April.

Access

By car: Approximately 2 hours from Sapporo, and approximately 2 hours from New Chitose Airport.
Train: JR Sapporo Station (Rapid Airport train: approx. 30 minutes) → JR Otaru Station (Hakodate Main Line, bound for Oshamanbe: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes) → JR Niseko Station
During August, September, and the winter season, there is a direct bus from Chitose Airport to Niseko, which takes approximately two hours. For more information...Click here.

Summary

So, what do you think? The Niseko Panorama Line offers breathtaking scenery. The autumn views, in particular, are like paintings, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely drive through a picturesque landscape. Plus, there are plenty of other attractions nearby where you can enjoy beautiful scenery, as well as delicious restaurants and hot spring facilities for day trips. Why not plan a relaxing trip centered around a scenic drive sometime?

【Related article】
For those who want to enjoy the nature of Niseko! 5 popular cottages in Niseko / Niseko 5 cottages
・Stunningly beautiful scenery that will leave you speechless! Top 10 best autumn foliage spots in Hokkaido

Please also check out these related articles.

• 

  5 Seafood Dishes to Enjoy on a Winter Trip to Hokkaido

• 

  [From Sapporo to Hakodate] We compared JR trains, express buses, airplanes, and cars!

• 

  Released on March 25th! We'll explain the filming locations in Hakodate for the movie "P and JK"!

• 

  A holiday enjoying trekking on Mount Tarumae, hot springs, and gourmet food!

• 

  Five shrines in the western district of Hakodate that you should visit.

• 

  Let's appreciate the unique sweets of Rokkatei.

• 

  Haskap, the fruit of the north said to grant eternal youth and longevity! What is this enchanting fruit unique to Hokkaido?

• 

  Never hesitate again when choosing souvenirs from Hokkaido! Mr. F's Souvenir Guide

Introducing our sister site (please check it out if you're interested)