| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:30 Bench Time Cafe 11:00 - 20:30 Yakiton Hidaka (Yakitori Restaurant) 11:00 - 21:00 Restaurant Yamasho (Chinese Restaurant) |
| Closed | Thursdays - Restaurant Yamasho Tuesdays - Bench Time Cafe |
| Contact | 011-4647-3650 Bench Time Cafe 011-4647-2989 Yakiton Hidaka 011-4647-3369 Restaurant Yamasho |
| Notes | Rest area, photography spot, land mark, parking available, 3 restaurants under mural |
| Location / Getting There | On the south eastern coast of Hokkaido. The rest stop is a 15-minute walk from Seppu Station on the JR Hidaka Main Line, under the mural of a horse along National Route 235. It's a 6 minute drive from central Niikappu. 292 1 Seppucho, Niikappu, Niikappu District, Hokkaido 059-2412 |
Niikappu is a town and sub prefecture on the south coast of Hokkaido. The area is known mainly for its production of racehorses. You can find statues and symbols of horses all across the town. On the border of the town of Niikappu and along the ocean drive there you can see the Niikappu mural. It is easy to see and it’s also the mark for where the rest stop is. This area is home to three restaurants that are open for lunch and dinner. Travelers have the option of a coffee shop, Chinese, or BBQ.
The mural itself raises high on the cliff face and depicts three race horses charging along. This area is also a nice spot to take a break as it faces the ocean. The coffee shop ‘Bench Time’ has a western menu with curries and some ice-cream to enjoy. There is a bench out the front to sit and enjoy the sun. ‘Yakiton Hidaka’ is right next door and they have set meals which include a meat dish served with rice. They are open for dinner for those on a long drive. Lastly, Restaurant Yamasho is a Chinese restaurant that serves excellent meals. Enjoy a lunch or dinner and watch the sunset! The Niikappu Mural is handy spot to relax and grab a bite for those on driving down the coastal road.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥750 - ¥1000 |
| Opening Hours | 8:30 - 17:30 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0136-33-2671 |
| Notes | Seating 96, no smoking |
| Location / Getting There | Nakayama Pass is located on route 230 and is directly between Sapporo & Niseko. It is about a one hour drive from both. 345 Kawakami, Kimobetsu-cho, Abuta District, Kimobetsu, 044-0223 Hokkaido |
On the drive from Sapporo to Hirafu, Rusutsu and Toya, there is a rest stop at the top of Nakayama Pass. The rest stop is a good stop to take a break, buy a souvenir, grab a quick local snack, or enjoy the magnificent view looking out at Mt. Yotei. On the ground floor in the main building here you can pick up some small take away food. This includes ageimo (potato deep fried in batter), fried chicken, imomochi (sticky potato cake) and ice-creams. If you are looking for something more substantial, there is a great restaurant on the next floor up. Cheap and delicious, this restaurant has large glass windows with fantastic views.
The restaurant is affordable and the food here is really really good! If you want something more filling it is worth it. There is a huge range of lunches available. You can find ramen, soba noodles, tempura, a butadon (pork on rice), and some good black curries. The menu is displayed with large photos on the wall, too easy. With plenty of seating, you can find a seat anytime. Apart from the restaurant, there is a small photo gallery on the next floor up, with panoramic views of the mountain. Local photographers have some beautiful work of the surrounding landscape. Take a seat, have a coffee and take it all in.
| Opening Hours | 8:30 - 17:30 Restaurant & stores |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0136-33-2671 https://ageimo.com/ |
| Notes | Rest stop, sightseeing spot, restaurant, take out food, souvenirs, restrooms |
| Location / Getting There | Nakayama Pass is located on route 230 and is directly between Sapporo & Niseko. It is about a one hour drive from both. 345 Kawakami, Kimobetsu-cho, Abuta District, Kimobetsu, 044-0223 Hokkaido |
Nakayama Pass is also known as Nakayama Toge (toge meaning ‘mountain pass’ in Japanese). This mountain pass acts as a rest stop, shopping spot, restaurant, and sightseeing spot. The pass offers striking views of Mt. Yotei. Mt. Yotei being an active stratovolcano located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. The pass is on the national highway route 230. The pass sees a lot of traffic coming and going as the highway is the link between Sapporo and all the southern districts, mainly Hirafu (Niseko), Lake Toya, Makkari, and Rusutsu. It is also the entrance to the Nakayama Toge ski field.
There is a huge parking area with entrances on both sides. There are a couple of buildings at the pass. It is here you can find a large souvenir store to pick up something on your way through. There are a couple of small take away stores as well. Nakayama Pass is probably best known for its ‘Ageimo’. Ageimo is a potato deep fried in batter (a little dry but popular). These come on a stick and cost ¥350. They also have fried chicken, imomochi (sticky potato cake) and ice-creams. There is also coffee. On the top floor is a small gallery and restaurant with panoramic views over the valley of Kimobetsu.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 19:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0167-22-1001 |
| Notes | Shops, restaurants, souvenir stores, local produce store, rest area, parking available |
| Location / Getting There | Located in the central town of Furano. It's an 8 minute walk from Furano station. 13-1 Saiwaicho, Furano, Hokkaido 076-0024 |
Furano Marche is a small plaza that is home to twenty different shops, eateries and restaurants. Furano Marche serves as a popular tourist spot where you can pick up some great souvenirs, buy some local produce to take home to the kitchen, or take a rest and enjoy a quick feed on some local popular fare. It is conveniently located in the centre of the small town of Furano, and is a stones throw away from Furano station, and Furano shrine. If you are driving in, there is ample parking to be found. Furano marche makes a great spot to include on your travels in the area.
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Furano Marche is separated into two different sections, Furano Marche 1 and Furano March 2. They are located on two parallel blocks separated by a small road. Furano Marche 1 has an open plaza in the centre, whereas Marche 2 is a larger building complex. Furano Marche 1 includes a mouth watering burger shop, a cafe, a fresh bread store, a takoyaki (fried octopus snack) shop, a fruit juice counter, a local produce store and souvenir store. The larger building of Marche 2 has a flower store, local souvenir store, a rice ball eatery to take out, a local restaurant, a grocery store, a ramen restaurant, and an ice-sundae eatery.
