One of the joys of traveling to Hokkaido is experiencing its magnificent nature!
You can enjoy driving and various outdoor activities, but trekking, in particular, is becoming increasingly popular within Hokkaido.

While climbing mountains in Hokkaido might seem daunting, there are actually many mountains that beginners can easily enjoy.

Among all those mountains, this time I'd like to introduce Mount Tarumae.
Of course, we'll also introduce some fun things to do after your trek!

<Table of Contents>
1. Trekking around Mt. Tarumae
1-1 What is Mount Tarumae?
1-2 To the 7th Station Hut and the parking lot
1-3 Hiking trailhead to observation deck
1-4 Summit Trekking - From Higashiyama to Nishiyama
2. Enjoy hot springs and gourmet food after your trek!
2-1 Auto Resort Tomakomai Alten Yunomi no Yu
2-2 Mitsuboshi, a long-established sweets shop in Hokkaido
2-3 Utonai Lake Roadside Station
Summary

1-1 What is Mount Tarumae?

When you're heading from Sapporo's New Chitose Airport towards Hakodate, you'll see a mountain shaped like a pudding after you pass Tomakomai. That's Mount Tarumae.

It is also the motif for the country sign of Tomakomai City.

Photo by Wikipedia/Ozizo

Mount Tarumae is a rare active volcano in the world, with a lava dome located within its caldera.

Historically, there was a magmatic eruption in 1909 (Meiji 42), followed by several phreatic eruptions, but since the phreatic eruption in 1981 (Showa 56), the current activity has been relatively calm.

Although it's only about 1000 meters high, it's a popular mountain for beginners because you can drive up to the seventh station and the hiking trails are well-maintained.
This time, I tried out a typical trekking course.

1-2 To the 7th Station Hut and the parking lot

There is no public transportation from Tomakomai city to the 7th station hut where the parking lot is located, so we will go by car.

Proceed along National Route 276 towards Otaki.

You will come across signs for Mount Tarumae along the way, so just follow the signs.

On this day, the parking lot was full by just after 7 a.m., so we were told by the guide at the gate to the fifth station to wait.

After waiting for about 10 minutes, we went through the gate.

From here, we enter an unpaved road.

Once you get close to the parking lot, park your car in the designated spot and head towards the trailhead.

Please sign the climber's register and make arrangements such as using the restroom before starting your climb. Please note that there are no restrooms beyond the seventh station!

1-3 Hiking trailhead to observation deck

After climbing for about 10 minutes, you'll reach an observation deck from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Shikotsu.
Even without climbing to the summit, just enjoying this view makes the visit well worth it!

Alpine plants are blooming along the side of the road.

As you climb further, you'll cross the treeline, and the path will become entirely rocky. Eventually, you'll be able to see the Pacific Ocean.

We can now see the Pacific Ocean.

1-4 Summit Trekking - From Higashiyama to Nishiyama

We arrived at the crater.

Once you reach this point, you'll have a 360-degree view, overlooking Lake Shikotsu, the Pacific Ocean, and the mountains of Niseko!
太平洋側
Mount Yotei, Niseko

That huge, pudding-shaped lava dome is also getting closer.
We're almost at the summit now.

Mount Yotei is visible in the distance (slightly to the right of the center of the photo).

In less than 10 minutes, we reached the summit of Higashiyama (1022m).
Mount Yotei can be seen in the far distance.

It took about an hour from when we started climbing until we got here.

Next, we'll head towards Nishiyama (995m). We'll walk all the way around the crater.

We walk across a plateau where there is hardly any vegetation.
The smell of boiled eggs, often noticeable in hot springs, occasionally drifts faintly on the breeze.

We passed the inner sanctuary of Tarumae-san Shrine.

By the way, Tarumae-san Shrine Main Shrine (6-49 Takaoka, Tomakomai City)

The lava dome looms even closer, but the area leading from the hiking trail to the crater is off-limits.

Arrived at Nishiyama.

Lake Shikotsu and Niseko as seen from Nishiyama

It took about 45 minutes to get from the fork in the road, around Higashiyama and Nishiyama, and back to the fork in the road.

I descended the mountain around 11:00 AM, but many more hikers were still heading upwards.
It seemed like people of all ages, from couples to families with three generations, were enjoying the mountains in a relaxed atmosphere!

[Access information]
* Access is by car only, as there is no public transportation.
Approximately 20 minutes from Tomakomai Interchange
About 60 minutes from New Chitose Airport
Approximately 40 minutes from Tomakomai city center
Approximately 50 minutes from Nishiko Ferry Terminal

There's a parking lot for hikers at the seventh station, so we'll start our climb from there.
If the parking lot becomes full, the gate will be closed at the 5th station and traffic restrictions will be implemented to ensure safety.

【Detailed information】
Tomakomai City Tourism Information > Tourist Information > Mount Tarumae
The latest mountain climbing informationCLICK HERE
Climb the mountains of Iburi: A guide to mountain climbing and town exploration - Mt. Tarumae - (Website of the Commerce, Industry, Labor and Tourism Division, Industrial Promotion Department, Iburi General Promotion Bureau)
For inquiries, please call 0144-32-6448 (Tomakomai City, Industry and Economy Department, Industry Promotion Division, Tourism Promotion Section).

After working up a sweat trekking, of course, it's time for hot springs and delicious food!

2-1 Auto Resort Tomakomai Alten Yunomi no Yu

"Yunomi no Yu" is a natural hot spring facility that is very popular with locals as a day-trip hot spring.

The spring water is a strong sodium chloride spring, and the open-air bath uses water directly from the source.

The bathwater is a dark brown color, and when you taste it, it has a strong salty flavor. Soaking in it leaves your skin feeling smooth.
Furthermore, you won't get cold easily after getting out of the bath, and you'll continue sweating for quite a while.

After a relaxing soak in the hot springs, we had a meal at the attached restaurant.

Restaurant "Yumachimu" prides itself on its menu featuring surf clams, a specialty of Tomakomai.
This time I ordered surf clam sushi (450 yen) and stir-fried noodles with surf clam and salty sauce (780 yen).

The surf clam sushi is made with very fresh, glossy surf clams that have a unique chewy texture yet are soft and sweet – a truly exceptional dish!

Also, the salt-flavored stir-fried noodles with thick sauce are packed with ingredients and very satisfying.

For those who prefer meat, we also offer the Tarumae Jingisukan set meal (700 yen). You can enjoy Jingisukan at a reasonable price.

Sweets are a must-try. The haskap berry soft serve ice cream is a popular item at the shop.
Haskap soft serve ice cream (pictured is a half-and-half blend of haskap and vanilla)

[Auto Resort Tomakomai Alten Yunomi no Yu]
access:
・Approximately 10 minutes by car from Tomakomai West Interchange
From Tomakomai Station North Exit, take the Donan Bus (Route No. 03, Tetsukita-Kitaguchi Line) and get off at Alten-mae (approximately 42 minutes).
*Bus timetable iswebsiteCheck it out
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 22:00 PM (Last entry 21:20 PM)
Closed: Generally the third Wednesday of every month
Admission fees: Adults 600 yen, Children (elementary school students) 300 yen, Booklet of 6 tickets (adults) 3,000 yen
Address: 421-4 Tarumae, Tomakomai City, Hokkaido
Phone: 0144-61-4126
The homepage isCLICK HERE

After a refreshing bath, I'll head to my next stop.

2-2 Mitsuboshi, a long-established sweets shop in Hokkaido

Speaking of famous sweets from Tomakomai, there's Mitsuboshi's "Yoitomake."

Photo by Wikipedia/Dddeco

A roll cake generously filled with haskap jam.
It's also known as "the most difficult snack to eat in Japan."

It's true that the haskap jam spread all over it makes it a bit difficult to eat, but that sweet and sour, rich flavor has captured the hearts of many Hokkaido residents since it was first released in 1953.

The main branch of Mitsuboshi is located along National Route 36.

The spacious and comfortable shop features sections for Western-style sweets, Japanese-style sweets, and bread, and is always bustling with people.

When it comes to Mitsuboshi, their sweets made with haskap berries are particularly popular.
In addition to "Yu no Mi Nonno," a long-selling sandwich cookie with haskap-flavored cream that's just as popular as "Yoitomake," there are several other varieties available.

Also, the half-size "Yoitomake Hanbunko" is a great option due to its convenient size and price!

[Mitsuboshi Shop Information]
Access: Approximately 10 minutes from Tomakomai West Interchange, along National Route 36.
Address: 141 Itoi, Ichi, Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Phone number 0120-333-153
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 20:00 PM, open all year round.
The homepage isCLICK HERE

2-3 Utonai Lake Roadside Station

Next up is "Michi-no-Eki Utonai Lake".

Although it's a roadside rest area, it's also popular as a spot where you can observe wild birds up close.

On this day, we were able to see swans up close.

Furthermore, since many planes landing at New Chitose Airport pass overhead, this is also a must-see spot for aviation enthusiasts.

The most popular item on the menu here is the "Hokki Seafood Rice Burger." It's often featured in local media, but its reputation has spread mainly through word of mouth.
Actually, I tried it for the first time after a friend recommended it!

The rice buns are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

The crispy fried fish paste, the crunchy surf clam, and the crisp cabbage filling, all coated in a special sauce, created a flavor that you won't get tired of, and I finished it in no time!

Another must-try here is the "Tomato Chop Water."

This product is made from tap water from Tomakomai City, which is said to be particularly delicious among Hokkaido's tap waters, which are popular with travelers for their tasty water. The chlorine has been removed from the tap water before it is commercialized.

The cute bottle, printed with Tomakomai's character "Toma-Chop," makes a perfect souvenir.

Tomachop, a character popular in the local area for its cuteness →Official blog

[Utonai Lake Roadside Station Spot Information]
Access information
5 minutes by car from Tomakomai East Interchange
営業時間：9:00～18:00（3月～10月）9:00～17:00（11月～2月）
※4月29日～5月8日、8月11日～8月16日は19：00まで
Closed: December 31th - January 1st
Address: 156-30 Uenae, Tomakomai City
Phone 0144-58-4137
The homepage isCLICK HERE

Summary

Mount Tarumae is a hidden gem where you can experience the magnificent natural beauty of Hokkaido just by visiting the observation deck without even reaching the summit.

You can also stop by on your way from Tomakomai to Lake Shikotsu, so please come visit if you have the chance!

Also, if you try Tomakomai's surf clams, their freshness and deliciousness will change your perception of surf clams!
Please give this a try as well!

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