7 Best Touring Spots & Routes in Northern Hokkaido

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: Last updated: September 2, 2018

Table of contents

1. Cape Soya: The northernmost point that every rider aims for.

2. The road every rider dreams of: "Ororon Line, Hokkaido Prefectural Road 106"

3. Like a dream world: "The Soya Hills and the northernmost white road"

4. Orolon in the west, the "Esanuka Line" in the east

5. Kutcharo Lake Campground: One of Hokkaido's most scenic and comfortable campgrounds.

6. The northernmost limestone cave: Nakatonbetsu Limestone Cave

7. Traveling to the northernmost remote islands with my car: "Rebun Island and Rishiri Island"

　Summary

Northern Hokkaido Touring Every summer, the northern Hokkaido area is the destination for many riders who travel around Hokkaido.

Riders are always drawn to the ends of the earth, and the northern Hokkaido area, home to Cape Soya, Japan's northernmost point, is a must-visit destination.

From the grand, characteristic Hokkaido landscapes to the indescribably beautiful pale blue of the Okhotsk Sea, the northern Hokkaido area is a treasure trove packed with must-see spots that will stir the hearts of motorcyclists.

This time, I'll be highlighting seven particularly recommended spots.

<Contents>
1. Cape Soya: The northernmost point that every rider aims for.
2. The road every rider dreams of: "Ororon Line, Hokkaido Prefectural Road 106"
3. The Soya Hills and the Northernmost White Road: A Loss of Reality
4. Orolon in the west, the "Esanuka Line" in the east
5. Kutcharo Lake Campground: One of Hokkaido's most scenic and comfortable campgrounds.
6. The northernmost limestone cave: Nakatonbetsu Limestone Cave
7. Traveling to the northernmost remote islands with my car: "Rebun Island and Rishiri Island"

1. Cape Soya: The northernmost point that every rider aims for.

Northern Hokkaido Touring Cape Soya, the northernmost point of Japan, is a dream destination for all riders traveling in Hokkaido.

From Wakkanai and Sarufutsu Village, it's about 30 kilometers along National Route 238, or about 30-40 minutes by motorcycle, to reach the northernmost point.

On the way to Cape Soya, you can enjoy a spectacular seaside ride while taking in the vast expanse of the Sea of Okhotsk!

The road, with its almost complete lack of traffic lights and its moderate ups and downs, really heightens the anticipation of reaching the northernmost point.

At Cape Soya, there's always a line of people taking commemorative photos in front of the northernmost point monument, so even if you're on a solo motorcycle trip, it's easy to ask someone, "Could you take a picture for me?"

After taking commemorative photos, don't forget to purchase a certificate proving you've reached the northernmost point and refuel at the northernmost gas station.
(Riders will receive a commemorative gift!)

2. The road every rider dreams of: "Ororon Line, Hokkaido Prefectural Road 106"

Northern Hokkaido Touring The touring map, considered the bible for touring riders, describes Prefectural Road 106, also known as the Orolon Line, as "a road that riders dream of."

The Orolon Line is officially the collective name for the road along the Sea of Japan that connects Otaru to Wakkanai.

While you can enjoy spectacular scenery wherever you drive, the approximately 70-kilometer section of Prefectural Road 106 connecting Teshio and Wakkanai is particularly breathtaking, as there are no traffic lights or guardrails, just endless straight roads to enjoy to your heart's content.

As we headed north towards Wakkanai, we could see the Otonrui Wind Power Plant, with its massive wind turbines stretching for 3km, and Mount Rishiri, creating a continuous series of breathtaking landscapes!

From beginning to end, everything about the Orolon Line, Prefectural Road 106, is a climax.

Be careful not to speed.

3. Like a dream world: "The Soya Hills and the northernmost white road"

Northern Hokkaido Touring Prefectural Road 889, located near Cape Soya, is an exhilarating winding route that cuts through gently rolling hills.

Driving along winding roads, with views of the blue sky, lush green grasslands, and wind turbines dotting the hillsides, is the perfect way to enjoy a wonderful time with your car.

The Soya Hills area is also home to the northernmost white road, paved with scallop shells.

The landscape is so vast that everything looks the same, so it's best to simply follow the signs to get there.

Northern Hokkaido Touring The path is paved with seashells, so it's off-road, but it's a road that even on-road motorcycles can ride on without any problems, so you'll be fine if you ride slowly and without rushing.

On clear days, you can sometimes see Mount Rishiri, and when combined with the white road stretching out before you, it can feel as if you're in a dream world.

4. Orolon in the west, the "Esanuka Line" in the east

Northern Hokkaido Touring The Esanuka Line is located on the eastern side of the two major straight roads in northern Hokkaido, often referred to as "Ororon in the west" and "Esanuka in the east."

While it may be shorter in distance than the Orolon Line, the feeling of speeding across the vast grasslands towards the horizon should give you an even greater sense of straightness than the Orolon Line.

Whether you're approaching from the Cape Soya side or the Hamatonbetsu side, there's a sign along the national highway at the entrance, so be sure not to miss it.

Also, the Esanuka Line has curves that are similar to the sharp turns you see on a driving school course.
Please be extremely careful not to enter the crank section at high speed.

5. Kutcharo Lake Campground: One of Hokkaido's most scenic and comfortable campgrounds.

Northern Hokkaido Touring Kutcharo Lake Campground in Hamatonbetsu Town is a favorite campground for motorcyclists traveling around the northern Hokkaido area.

If you're driving along National Route 238 near Hamatonbetsu, you'll see a sign for Lake Kutcharo, and from there just follow the signs to get there.

Enjoy comfortable camping on a vast, well-equipped site while overlooking Lake Kutcharo, all for the incredibly low price of just 200 yen per night!

Combined with the nearby Hamatonbetsu Onsen Wing, which is within walking distance, you'll definitely want to stay for multiple nights.

The climax is the dramatic sunset over Lake Kutcharo. It's worth camping here just to watch this sunset.

6. The northernmost limestone cave: Nakatonbetsu Limestone Cave

Northern Hokkaido Touring The Nakatonbetsu Limestone Cave, Japan's northernmost limestone cave, is located about 20km before Hamatonbetsu on National Route 275.

There are signs along the national highway near Nakatonbetsu, but the cell phone signal is weak, so relying on Google Maps might actually make you get lost...

The Nakatonbetsu Limestone Cave consists of four caves, from Cave 1 to Cave 4, with the largest of them, Cave 1, measuring 60 meters, being open to the public.

Northern Hokkaido Touring Rather than a large, imposing cave, it feels more like a secluded hole nestled in the forest, creating a truly mystical atmosphere.

Visiting Nakatonbetsu Limestone Cave is free (except in winter), and there is ample parking available, so going by motorcycle is not a problem.

7. Traveling to the northernmost remote islands with my car: "Rebun Island and Rishiri Island"

Northern Hokkaido Touring The northernmost islands of Japan, Rebun and Rishiri, are charming touring spots that can be reached by ferry from Wakkanai with your car.

After boarding the Heartland Ferry from Wakkanai Ferry Terminal and completing a journey of just under two hours, you'll arrive at the northernmost island.

Rebun Island is a remote, secluded island where you can experience a rich natural environment that is quite different from mainland Hokkaido.

Also, there are restaurants scattered around the island where you can eat sea urchin rice bowls, so if you visit, you should definitely try it!

On the other hand, Rishiri Island has Mount Rishiri-Fuji towering in its center, and there are also scattered spots for easy trekking.

Route 105, which circles the entire island, is perfect as an easy touring course, as you can complete the circuit in half a day if you're on a motorcycle.

When you're tired from running, recharge your energy with "Milpis," which is similar to Calpis but different.

Summary

The northern Hokkaido area, home to Cape Soya at the northernmost point of Japan, is one of Japan's most scenic regions, offering vast landscapes wherever you drive.

Why not enjoy a journey to the northernmost point until you're exhausted from running?

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