Length of Japan:Hokkaido

4.North from Asahikawa to Wakkanai

Summary

Route :	Asahikawa(旭川)Bifuka(美深)Hamatonbetsu(浜頓別)Wakkanai(稚内)
Distance :	328 km(204 miles)
Best Season :	July, August
Available Season :	April - November (Occasionally it snows in April and November.)
Steepness/terrain :	(Only relatively low hills.)
Natural Beauty :	(Considerable)
History :	(Some interesting places)
Traffic :	(Sparse)

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Detail

Home of Soba noodles

Cross Etanbetsu path(江丹別峠) from Asahikawa and ride along the Uryugawa River(雨竜川) to avoid the heavy traffic on the highway. The road along the Uryugawa river is relatively flat.
This area is the northern-most upland farming area in Japan and grows mainly buckwheat; which of course, it what the famous Soba noodles are made from. The buckwheat fields around Horokanai town are the largest in Japan, but even though has the highest production levels, it is till not that well known.

The Uryugawa river originates from the largest artificial lake in Japan, Lake Syumarinai(朱鞠内湖). Along this river, there ran the Shinmei railway which connects Nayoro and Fukagawa. They were constructed in approximately 1940 with back-breaking works. At least 204 people died, and 36 people of them were from Korea that was one of Japanese colonies at that time.

Today you couldn't imagine such an horrific past from the face of beauty presented by Lake Syumarinai. Indeed, it does not look at all like it's an artificial lake.

Moshiri(母子里) district near the lake is known as a place that recorded the lowest ever temperature in Japan. (-41.1 degree Celsius). It is also famous for its sparkling "diamond dust" surface. You may encounter a “Sun Pillar”, on which the diamond dust shines by the reflected light of the sun, even at midwinter.

The northern-most point of rice cultivation

Getting over Bifuka Pass(美深峠) from Lake Shumarinai, you'll reach Bifuka Town(美深町) which is the northern-most point of rice cultivation in Japan, possibly in the world. Since ancient times it was believed that rice could not be cultivated in, Hokkaido Advances in rice-breeding now mean that rice cultivation is possible.

Rice cultivation was introduced into the southern part of Japan about 3,500 years ago, and it gradually moved north and now Bifuka is the end point of that long journey.
Returning to our cycling route : there very few shops between Bifuka and Utanobori, a section of about 50 kilometers. So, you should stock up on food and drink in Bifuka.

Along the Bikou Rail Trail(国鉄美幸線)

Take the cycle route along the disused , Bifuka railroad line. This "Narrow Gauge" rail-line was intended to connect Bifuka and Esashi, but it was discontinued while under construction. You can see the abandoned rail-bed , where rails have never been laid, on the north side of the Amanogawa tunnel(天の川トンネル).
In Niubu(仁宇布), Bifuka Town, you can drive or ride trolleys which might look like amusement park rides, but the rails are real ones which were actually used in the Bikou line. This is probably the only place where you can self-drive trolleys yourself on the rails. (Vehicle driver's licence required)

If you like off road dirt riding, take Douhoku Super Rindou(道北スーパー林道) from Bifuka. It's official name is Bifuka Utanobori Long Forest Road(美深歌登大規模林道). In some sections you should take care not to lose control of the bike in patches of soft railway ballast, but you will enjoy Hokkaido's forest to the full. Also, beware of brown bears around Kasumi Pass(加須美峠).

Torokko Oukoku(tram driving)[J]

Panning for gold

Take Prefectural Road 120 from Utanobori(歌登) until you reach Nakatonbetsu Town(中頓別). There are some tourist spots where you can pan for gold in Nakatonbetsu Town and also Hamatonbetsu Town(浜頓別).

Among these sites, Usotan-nai Sakin Saikutsu Kouen(ウソタンナイ砂金採掘公園) in Hamatonbetsu Town is recommended. It costs only 500 yen including rent of the digging/panning equipment and tuition. The method of digging/panning is the same as employed by the old-time gold diggers in former times. You will use a "Kattcha" (small hoe/plow) and a "Yuri Ita" (flexed board). You can choose between two locations and tecniques: the Kawabori course which involves digging/panning in the actual river with no time restrictions; or the Suisobori course which is on an artificial water "flume" which, because it is easier or more popular has a 30 minute restriction. Don't worry if you run out of time or daylight because you become fixed on digging/panning, because you can camp here.
In autumn, you can see pink salmon going upstream to spawn.

Lake Kucharo(クッチャロ湖) near Hamatonbetsu Town is a designated wetland under the Ramsar Wetlands Convention and also has a beautiful camp site.

A Drama of the northern sea

Leaving behind Lake Kucharo, go north along bleak but beautiful coastline. About 30 kilometers from Lake Kucharo you will come to Sarufutsu Michinoeki (Roadside Station)(猿払道の駅) where you can see things that commemorate the victims of the sinking of the USSR ship, the Indigirka.

The Indigirka was stranded in 1939, 1.4 kilometers offshore of Sarufutsu Village. The Japanese authorities and people helped them out in the face of death. Consequently this had been believed to be a touching tale for a long time. But after Soviet breakup, it became apparent that they were political crimes. Some point out that it was not only a touching tale but also a political affair.

The northern-most point in Japan

After passing by Higashiura(東浦), uninhabited land extends for a while. Finally you will reach the northern-most point in modern Japan, Cape Soya(宗谷岬). The road can go no further.

Sakhalin is the next major island north in the island chain. The southern areas of Sakhalin were previously administered by Japan under a long standing agreement with Russia/USSR but were occupied by the USSR in the closing days of World War II. There are ferries from Wakkanai to Sakhalin which take about 6.5 hours.

Although not on the LOJ route, from Nemuro on the north-east coast, the most southerly of the Kuril Islands ("the Kuriles" or Chishima to the Japanese) can be seen offshore , where the isalnd chain runs in an arc north-east up to the Kamchatka Peninsular. Japan still maintains claims over the four most southerly of the Kuriles also occupied by the USSR at the end of WWII.

If you climb up the southern hill of Cape Soya you will find a memorial for the shooting-down of a KAL airliner in 1983 by the Soviet airforces. There is also a World Peace Bell made from coins from many countries and also a statue of Rinzo Mamiya who surveyed the whole of Hokkaido and Sakhalin Island at the beginning of the 19st century.

The area around Cape Soya consists of many hills and valleys of gentle slopes that were created during the last glacial period.

So, here we have completed our long "Length of Japan" journey. You can head on down to Wakkanai(稚内) and comfort and safety.

Not to be missed!!

Rishiri(利尻島) and Rebun(礼文島) island

Cycling roads are well developed on Rishiri Island, but trekking up the island's mountains is also enjoyable. Mt. Rishiri is at near 2,000 meters elevation and sometimes it snows even in September. Prepare for the cold and set aside enough time to make the trek leisurely.

Mt Rebun is not so well know but is recommended It is easy to reach the summit and the views from the top are well-worth the effort.

Rice growing in Hokkaido

Japan is experiencing a surge in the variety and quality of Hokkaido rice stemming from improvements in the breeding of the plants. Because of its northerly latitude Hokkaido rice was not well regarded, even somewhat "unsavoury". The continued research into types and cultivation has largely reversed this poor image of Hokkaido rice. Today some consumers and businesses prefer Hokkaido-grown varieties to Koshihikari Rice which is widely regard as one of the best varieties of rice in Japan.

The following is a representative list of the development of Hokkaido rice. You should really try these when you get a chance.

• Yukihikari 1984: Cold tolerant but it didn't taste so good.
• Kirara 397 1989: which first revised the image of Hokkaido rice as unsavoury.
• Hoshiho Yume 1997: which is improved in taste compared to Kirara 397.
• Nanatsu Boshi 2001: which as tastes good as Hoshino Yume, but with higher yield.

Route

Route Summary

Asahikawa(旭川) [113m]
	Prefectural Road 72 (45km) Etanbetsu Pass(江丹別峠) [470m]
Horokanai(幌加内) [155m]
	Route 275 and the like (40km)
Lake Shumarinai(朱鞠内湖)[320m]
	National Route 275 (36km) Bifuka pass(美深峠) [438m]
Bibuka(美深) [77m]
	Prefectural Road 49 (66km) via Niubu(仁宇布 ) Prefectural Road 120
Utanobori(歌登) [13m]
	Prefectural Road 120 (29km) Route 275 (20km)
Hamatonbetsu(浜頓別) [7m]
	Route 238 (61km)
Cape Soya(宗谷岬) [2m]
	Route 238 (31km)
Wakkanai(稚内) [3m]

(Red: National Route, Green: Prefecture Road, Yellow green: cycle path, gray: other roads)

Postscript

This is the end point of our "Length of Japan" cycle route, but you don't necessarily need to end your journey here. After enjoying Rishiri and Rebun Island, why don't you go a little further to Sakhalin Island, Russia?

There is a liner that connects Wakkanai with Sakhalin though it does not run all-year. Getting a visa for Russia is little bother in Japan. You can get it through a travel agency in advance. Sakhalin still has unspoiled, unpopulated nature some of which Hokkaido has lost.

We would very grateful if could you give us your impressions of our “Length of Japan” route and site. Please tell us by e-mail or via our bulletin board.

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