Niseko is an international resort area.
Niseko boasts some of the world's best snow quality, and in winter, it's one of the top towns in Hokkaido for seeing foreign skiers.
But it's also wonderful from early summer through autumn.

When it comes to enjoying the scenery, nothing beats a drive.
But you don't know which route is best? Leave that question to us! Reading this page will answer all your questions at once.
This guide explains the driving route from Sapporo to Niseko, including important points to note.

<Table of Contents>
1. Niseko Route Overview
2. Tourist spots between Sapporo and Niseko
2-1. Nakayama Pass Roadside Station, Boyo Nakayama
2-2. Meisui Udon Nonosan
2-3. Kyogoku Famous Water Spring Park
2-4. Niseko Milk Workshop Takahashi Farm
2-5. Niseko Station
2-6. Arishima Memorial Museum
2-7. Roadside Station View Plaza Niseko
3. Precautions for driving
3-1. Traffic congestion points
3-2. Drive with caution
Final thoughts

Niseko is also close to Otaru via National Route 5, and many people enter via Otaru, but this time we will introduce a route from Sapporo to Niseko via Jozankei.

The main route is along National Route 230, over Nakayama Pass to Kimobetsu Town, and then through Kyogoku Town, Kutchan Town, and Niseko Town.

We'll be using National Route 276.
All routes offer pleasant rural scenery with views of Mount Yotei, also known as Ezo Fuji, considered the number one mountain in Hokkaido.

Now, let's introduce some spots you can enjoy between Sapporo and Niseko.

2-1. Nakayama Pass Roadside Station, Boyo Nakayama

After driving for about 30 minutes through the hot spring town of Jozankei, you'll see a roadside rest area.
Because it's the shortest route connecting Sapporo and Hakodate, traffic is relatively heavy, and many tour buses, private cars, and trucks stop at this roadside station for breaks, so the parking lot is always quite crowded.
On a clear day, you can see Mount Yotei, with its small, rounded, and beautiful mountain shape.

I bought their specialty fried potatoes here.
The dough is slightly sweet, and chunks of potato are left whole in it.
Please enjoy the piping hot, freshly fried treats. Across the road is a teahouse on the mountain pass that sells fried potatoes.

The shape of Mount Yotei might be clearer from this side.
A hidden gem at Boyo Nakayama is their soba noodles. The temperature is naturally low at the mountain pass, so warm soba is a popular item even in summer.

After taking a deep breath of mountain air and feeling refreshed, carefully move into the driving lane.
Many cars drive at a fairly high speed on this road.

[Spot Details: Mountain Pass Teahouse]
Address: 346 Kawakami, Kimobetsu-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0136-33-2727
Business hours: 8:00-18:00
★Fried potatoes 300 yen, etc.

2-2. Meisui Udon Nonosan

Descending Nakayama Pass, you enter Kimobetsu Town. This town is famous for its potatoes.

The town center has a local market where agricultural products are sold directly, but we'll head towards Kutchan on Route 276, leaving the town center.
Going straight will take you towards Rusutsu and Hakodate.

There's also a mushroom kingdom, and the mushroom soup (100 yen) is tempting, but to the left of Kyogoku town is the magnificent Mount Yotei.
There are several viewpoints, making it perfect for taking photos.

After driving for a while, you'll come across Nonosan, a famous udon restaurant in Hokkaido that's often featured on television.
Around lunchtime, some cars can't even find a parking spot.

The broth, made by the owner who trained in Osaka, is Kansai-style. The noodles have a firm texture, and some people rate it as the best udon restaurant in Hokkaido.
The broth is thoroughly and slowly aged, resulting in a rich umami flavor that makes you want to drink every last drop. The noodles, in particular, are outstanding.
It has firmness and flexibility, yet it's so smooth that it slides down your throat effortlessly without needing to be chewed.

The most popular dish is the Chikuwa Tama Ten Udon.
The tempura absorbs the broth, and the addition of oil to the broth creates depth of flavor, resulting in an exquisite taste.
Even if there's a line or you have to wait to get into the parking lot, this is a dish you should definitely try if you come to Kyogoku-cho.

[Spot Details: Meisui Udon Nonokasa]
Address: 466-5 Sarashin, Kyogoku-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0136-42-2381
Opening Hours: Lunchtime [Weekdays] 11:00 AM - 14:30 PM [Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays] 11:00 AM - 15:00 PM
Evening hours: [Fri, Sat, Sun] 17:30 - 20:00
Closed: Monday
<Sample Menu>
★Chikuwa and egg tempura udon 850 yen
★Ume Bukkake Udon (udon noodles with pickled plums) 650 yen
★ Kitsune Udon (udon noodles with fried tofu) 650 yen, etc.

2-3. Kyogoku Famous Water Spring Park

It's a slight detour from the main route, but you'll definitely want to try the exceptional water, which has been selected as one of Japan's 100 best waters.
It's common knowledge in Hokkaido that the water at the foot of Mount Yotei is of high quality.

Among them, Kyogoku Town is number one in both quantity and quality.
Let's take a little break and enjoy some coffee brewed with this famous spring water.

Since access to the spring is free, it's not uncommon to see people lining up with large plastic containers or other items.
Some people even come all the way from Sapporo just to collect this water.

Taking a stroll through a large park and drinking clean water makes me feel like all the toxins are being flushed out of my body.
There's a roadside station attached, and nearby there's a popular restaurant that serves soba noodles made with this famous spring water. From here, we'll head towards Kutchan Town on Prefectural Road 478.

For a time, the train runs alongside the Shiribetsu River, speeding through a rich rural landscape.
As you pass pastures and fields, the majestic Mount Yotei stands proudly on your left. It's truly awe-inspiring.

[Spot Details: Kyogoku Famous Water Fountain Park]
Address: Kawanishi, Kyogoku-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0136-42-2111 (Kyogoku Town Hall Planning and Promotion Division)

2-4. Niseko Milk Workshop Takahashi Farm

Kutchan Town is a transportation hub in the Shiribeshi region, where the Hakodate Main Line, National Route 5, and Akaigawa National Highway intersect.
Here, we head onto Prefectural Road 343. The scenery changes from rural areas to resort towns.

Along the way, in Izumigo, there are numerous villas and condominiums.
NAC Niseko Adventure Center offers rafting experiences. The townscape, lined with restaurants and cafes, is a far cry from everyday life in Japan.
The backdrop is the Niseko Mountains. In early summer, they still retain patches of snow, and the beautiful groves of trees and mountain ranges may be why they evoke images of Europe or the Rockies.

Soon after, we arrived at Takahashi Farm Niseko Milk Factory.
Some of the buildings house cafes and shops selling ice cream and cream puffs.

The shop naturally offers dine-in options. From the windows here, you can clearly see Mount Yotei with the farm in the foreground.

Affordable price range. And yet, it has power and a gentle flavor.
It's full of milky flavor, but its refreshing quality is like the early summer breeze blowing across the pastures of Niseko.

It's sweet, but not cloying. I could eat so many of them!
Take a leisurely stroll through the grounds and enjoy the finest cold sweets amidst the swaying grasslands.
Enjoy the breathtaking scenery in the distance. Experience a unique atmosphere that can only be found in Hokkaido.

[Spot Details: Niseko Milk Workshop Takahashi Farm]
Address: 888-1 Soga, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Business hours: 9:30-18:00
<Sample Menu>
★Ice cream 320 yen
★Soft serve ice cream 260 yen, etc.

2-5. Niseko Station

We joined Prefectural Road 66, passed over Niseko Ohashi Bridge, one of the scenic spots during the autumn foliage season, and arrived at Niseko Station, which looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale.
Although it's a JR train station, it also has Lion Adventure, a service that introduces various activities.

There's a day-trip hot spring facility called Kira no Yu right in front of the station.
It's not a large-scale facility, but that makes it easily accessible.
The entrance fee is also very reasonable at 500 yen.

There are cafes and shops nearby, making it convenient for shopping during your drive. Head past the Niseko Town Hall to the Arishima Literary Museum.

[Spot Details: Niseko Station]
Address: 142 Chuo-dori, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0136-44-2104

2-6. Arishima Memorial Museum

Niseko Town is where Takeo Arishima, a writer from the Taisho era whose name often appears in textbooks, spent his youth.
Works such as "The Descendants of Cain," "The Agony of Birth," and "A Certain Woman" strongly reflect the character of this town.
Even if you haven't read them thoroughly, you've probably seen each of these works at least once.

This facility introduces him, his works, and the traces of the farm that Takeo owned and envisioned as his ideal.
In addition to displaying valuable materials, the museum also includes an art space.
It's not only literarily valuable, but it's also a facility where you can experience firsthand the history of the development of Niseko town in Hokkaido.

The building also has a book cafe, and the tables and chairs are the work of woodworker Santaro Takahashi.
You can enjoy coffee from the locally popular "Takano Coffee Shop" in a space overlooking Mount Yotei and the Niseko mountain range.

The building and parking lot are well-maintained, making it an easily accessible spot.
Enjoy the literary atmosphere amidst the magnificent natural scenery.

[Spot Details: Arishima Memorial Museum]
Address: 57 Arishima, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Phone number: 0136-44-3245
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM (Last entry at 16:30 PM)
Closed: Every Monday and during the New Year holidays. *However, open every day from May to September.
Admission fee: 500 yen (400 yen for groups of 0 or more) High school students: 100 yen
*Admission is free for junior high school students and younger, and for Niseko town residents aged 6 and over.

2-7. Roadside Station View Plaza Niseko

Photo by Flickr:Sunset in Hokkaido by nimame

It's a 5-minute drive from the Arishima Memorial Museum. We've arrived at our destination, the View Plaza Niseko roadside station.
Niseko View Plaza is located at the point where National Route 5 and Hokkaido Prefectural Route 66 intersect.
After leaving the Arishima Literary Museum, turn right onto National Route 5 towards Hakodate, and you should find it right away.

In 2014, it was ranked 3rd in a nationwide ranking of roadside rest areas on a travel information website, demonstrating its capabilities.
With its spacious layout and abundance of information for sightseeing in Niseko, it's the perfect place to prepare for your stay and trip.
They offer fast food made with locally grown potatoes and delicious soft-serve ice cream.
This roadside station is extremely useful as both a starting point and a place to conclude your sightseeing.

[Spot Details: Roadside Station View Plaza Niseko]
Address: 77-10 Motomachi, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0136-43-2051
Opening hours:
■Tourist information center and local product sales: 9:00 AM - 18:00 PM
■Farm produce direct sales store: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM (late April to October) / 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (November to late April)
Closed days: Open all year round except for New Year's holidays (please inquire at the roadside station).

3-1. Traffic congestion points

This route only uses regular roads, so there are some points where traffic congestion may occur.
Previously, the route from downtown Sapporo to Jozankei was extremely congested.
The congestion has been largely alleviated, partly because the road widens to two lanes in one direction right up to Jozankei, but it can still get congested in the town of Jozankei.

Elsewhere, traffic congestion is common in the town of Kimobetsu. During the summer holidays, the intersection of National Route 230 and National Route 276, which is congested with cars heading to Rusutsu Resort and those heading towards Kutchan, is the starting point of the congestion.

3-2. Drive with caution

Particular caution is needed around Nakayama Pass. Because there is a climbing lane, some drivers drive at very high speeds.
Despite the many curves, the surrounding traffic is moving at a high pace, so I make sure to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.

Also, caution is advised when merging at the Michi-no-Eki Boyo Nakayama (roadside station).

Otherwise, the roads are generally straight and have little traffic, making for a pleasant drive. However, there are many intersections without traffic lights, so be careful as drivers may not be able to see left and right properly, and some may enter intersections without considering the speed of oncoming traffic.

Also, there are some sharp, almost right-angle curves along the route, so please slow down sufficiently.

Final thoughts

Niseko is less than 100 kilometers from Sapporo. It won't take too long to get there. Since there are fewer traffic lights, the average speed should be higher.
That means it should be a drive where you can enjoy many different places.

In the summer, you can enjoy rafting or farm experiences. There are sure to be unique experiences and events that you can only have here, far removed from your everyday life.
In that sense, a car is ideal because it allows you to travel at your own convenience, and every single scene that passes by outside the car window will surely be etched into your heart as a moving experience.
There's no time like the present! Enjoy your drive from Sapporo to Niseko.

[Check these out too]
・[From Sapporo to Otaru] The charm of a drive through Jozankei, where the fresh greenery and autumn leaves are beautiful♪
Let's go see the spectacular Shakotan Blue scenery! How to enjoy sightseeing in Shakotan!
・Enjoy the magnificent nature of Niseko on a drive! The charm of the Niseko Panorama Line
Want to treat yourself? 5 popular resort hotels in Niseko
・[Popular, Classic, and Hidden Hot Springs] 6 Recommended Hot Springs in Niseko You'll Want to Visit Now!
For those who want to enjoy the nature of Niseko! 5 popular cottages in Niseko / Niseko 5 cottages

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