Hokkaido is famous for places such as Sapporo, Furano and the great national parks. But some of the island’s most memorable views come from smaller roads, quiet lakeshores and windswept wetlands. Here are three places to consider when you want to explore beyond the best-known stops.
These are not secret places, and they are spread across a very large island. Treat them as ideas for separate regional trips, not as a one-day route. We have not visited every site ourselves; this guide is based on official local and Hokkaido tourism information.
1. The White Path and Soya Hills, Wakkanai
Near Cape Soya, the White Path (Shiroi Michi) crosses the rolling grassland of the Soya Hills. Crushed scallop shells cover about three kilometers of the path, creating a bright line against the green hills and blue sea. On a clear day, the view can extend toward Rishiri Island. The area’s broad ridgelines were shaped by repeated freezing and thawing and are part of Hokkaido Heritage.
When to go: The path is seasonal. Wakkanai’s guide says it is generally closed from around late October until late April; confirm current access before setting out. Summer and early autumn are the practical seasons to check first.
Getting there: From JR Wakkanai Station, allow about 1 hour by car; from Wakkanai Airport, about 20 minutes; and from Cape Soya, about 10–15 minutes. Wakkanai City also lists a bus option: take the Tenpoku-Soya Misaki Line from Wakkanai Station (about 40 minutes) to Soya, then walk about 5 minutes. Check the current timetable and stop location before travelling, as services may change. The approach roads are narrow, and passing other vehicles can be difficult. The White Path has no dedicated parking, toilets or rest stops; use only safe designated stopping areas, keep clear of traffic, and do not enter private pasture.
Wakkanai City: White Path and Soya Hills · Hokkaido Official Tourism: Soya Hills
2. Lake Onneto, Ashoro
At the foot of Mount Meakan in Akan-Mashu National Park, Lake Onneto is known for water that can look blue, emerald green or deep blue depending on the light, weather and viewing angle. A deck on the western shore looks across the lake toward Mount Meakan and Akan-Fuji, while nearby trails pass through forest.
When to go: The lake’s colors change with conditions, so no single visit guarantees a particular shade. In winter the final section of Prefectural Route 949 is closed to vehicles, usually from early December to early April. Reaching the lake then requires proper winter equipment; Ashoro Town warns that mobile reception is very limited and emergency response can take time. Use a guided tour if you are unsure about winter travel.
Getting there: The official Hokkaido tourism site estimates about 50 minutes by car from Ashoro IC and about 100 minutes from JR Kushiro Station. Ashoro Town gives a similar estimate of about 50 minutes from central Ashoro and about 20 minutes from the Akan-ko Onsen area. The official access information is by car, so arrange a rental car or other transport in advance and confirm local transit options before relying on them. In winter, the road beyond Meakan Onsen is closed to vehicles; do not plan to drive all the way to the lake. Reaching it then requires a properly equipped snowshoe route, and the town warns of poor mobile reception and slow emergency response. The observation deck has no toilet, so use facilities beforehand.
Ashoro Town: Lake Onneto, access and seasonal cautions · Hokkaido Official Tourism: Lake Onneto
3. Todowara, Notsuke Peninsula
On the long, narrow Notsuke Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido, Todowara is a stark coastal landscape of weathered tree trunks and open marsh. Salt water entered the former forest as the land changed, leaving pale Sakhalin fir trunks scattered across the ground. A boardwalk lets visitors view the scene without walking across sensitive ground. The peninsula’s changing coastline is part of what makes the landscape feel so exposed and unusual.
When to go: The scenery changes through the year. The Hokkaido tourism site says a tractor-drawn bus operates from late April to October; check current service before planning around it. The nature center has seasonal opening hours and a year-end closure, so confirm the latest notice.
Getting there: First reach the Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center, which is the visitor base for Todowara. Hokkaido’s official tourism site estimates about 40 minutes by car from Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport or about 120 minutes from Kushiro-Higashi IC; free parking is available at the center. From there, continue toward Todowara on the peninsula. The tractor-drawn bus generally runs from late April through October, but confirm its current schedule and boarding point with the Nature Center. Outside the bus season, check current walking access and conditions directly with the center before setting out. The peninsula is remote, so plan fuel, food and return travel in advance; opening hours vary seasonally and the center closes over New Year.
Hokkaido Official Tourism: Todowara · Hokkaido Official Tourism: Notsuke Peninsula and Nature Center · Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center (Japanese)
How to Choose Between Them
- For a bright coastal drive: White Path and the Soya Hills, if the seasonal road is open and you are comfortable with a narrow route.
- For a forest lake and mountain reflections: Lake Onneto; check road access, especially in winter.
- For a remote coastal walk: Todowara, with time to visit the Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center.
These places are far apart: Wakkanai is in northern Hokkaido, Onneto is inland in the east, and Notsuke Peninsula is farther east. Plan around one area at a time and allow generous driving time. In Hokkaido, a map can make distances look deceptively simple.
Travel Kindly and Check Before You Go
Weather, road closures, bus or tractor service, and facility hours can change. Check the relevant city or town website shortly before departure. Stay on paths and boardwalks, keep out of private pasture and protected areas, and do not stop where your vehicle blocks a narrow road.
This guide describes scenic places documented by local authorities and official tourism organizations. “Less familiar” depends on the traveler; these are not undiscovered locations or guaranteed crowd-free spots. The lead illustration is AI-generated and does not depict one specific place; the individual spot photos above are real photographs with source and license credits.
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Sources and Further Information
- Wakkanai City: White Path area overview, seasonal road and visitor-management notes (PDF)
- Ashoro Town: Lake Onneto access, facilities and winter safety
- Hokkaido Official Tourism: Todowara
- Hokkaido Official Tourism: Notsuke Peninsula
Official information checked on 21 September 2026. Access details can change; check local notices before travel.
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