Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Lake Saroma, the third largest in Japan and the largest in Hokkaido, stretches from east to west and is a brackish lake separated from the Sea of Okhotsk by a sandbar.
Standing at the observatory on the summit of Horoiwa Mountain, you see below the distinctive blue lake called Saroma Blue. A breathtaking panorama stretching from end to end of the lake. The narrow sandbar separating the lake from the Sea of Okhotsk lies like a single line drawn by nature, with the Shiretoko Mountains beyond. As wind caresses your cheeks and seagulls cry, the Saroma Blue water surface ripples and sparkles in the waves.
At dusk, the sky and lake become one, changing from orange to reddish-purple in breathtaking beauty. This distinctive blue comes from the lake's depth and transparency, unique to a brackish lake where seawater and freshwater mix. At lakeside restaurants, you can taste fresh Saroma Lake scallops, their plump texture and sweetness filling your mouth. Time flows surrounded by spectacular views woven by the vast lake, sky, and sea.

An observation deck at the summit of Mt. Horoiwa, located almost in the center of the lakeshore of Lake Saroma, Japan's third-largest lake adjacent to the Sea of Okhotsk.

Spread out below is a magnificent panorama from the only viewpoint offering a full view of the lake. The narrow sandbar separating the lake from the sea is called "Ryugu Kaido," creating a unique landscape contrasting the blue of the Sea of Okhotsk with the calm surface of the lake. The wind blowing through the mountaintop carries the scent of the sea, while the lake surface below sparkles as it reflects the sunlight.

On clear days, visibility extends even further. The ridgeline of the Shiretoko Mountains rising beyond the horizon serves as a backdrop that further accentuates the grandeur of Lake Saroma. The gradient of colors woven by the lakeside greenery, the white of the sandbar, the blue of the sea, and the distant mountain ranges tells the story of Hokkaido's natural abundance.

Coral grass colony at Lake Notoro in Abashiri City, boasting the largest scale in Japan.

Coral grass, officially named Akkeshi-so, grows naturally in the wetlands along the lakeside as a salt plant. From spring to summer it is green, but in autumn the entire area turns vivid crimson, dyeing the lakeside in a burning red. Wooden walking trails are maintained, and you can walk through the coral grass that spreads like a red carpet while observing its beauty up close. When the wind blows, the small grass sways like waves, and the red colors reflected on the lake surface catch the eye.

The contrast between Lake Notoro's quiet water surface and the crimson coral grass spreading across the entire area is a landscape that symbolizes autumn in Hokkaido. The color contrast of the blue sky, blue lake, and red coral grass leaves a strong impression on visitors. As Japan's largest colony, it shows the art of nature representing autumn in Hokkaido.

An aquarium where you can see fish behaving naturally in an environment close to their natural habitat. In Japan's first tank where you can look up at a waterfall from below, you can observe fish swimming desperately against the strong current. Additionally, the large tank where taimen over 1 meter long swim is the largest taimen tank in Japan and is truly impressive. There are also unique exhibits such as tanks that freeze like natural rivers in winter, allowing you to see rare displays that are not usually visible.

Ueno Farm is an original "Hokkaido Garden" that takes a British-style garden as its base and incorporates Hokkaido's climate and natural environment. The garden, with its natural atmosphere spreading at the foot of a hill, was created with care by the Ueno Sayuki family, who designed the garden that appeared in the TV drama "Kaze no Garden" (Garden of Wind), which was set in Furano. In the garden, where the flowers that bloom change with the passing seasons, you might even see ducks and chickens taking a stroll. Mt. Shatsu, which stretches out behind the garden, is known as a "Lovers' Sanctuary" where couples are said to find happiness. Why not extend your visit to the large weeping willow, the symbolic tree of the mountain?

Asahikawa Ramen Village is a must-visit for ramen lovers. Featuring a collection of eight well-known local ramen shops all in one place, it offers a deliciously convenient way to taste a variety of Asahikawa-style ramen. Whether you're on your way to Asahiyama Zoo or coming from Asahikawa Airport, it's an easy stopover along the route.

Inside the facility, don’t miss the Asahikawa Ramen Shrine—a popular photo spot where visitors often stop to pray to the “God of Ramen Bonds” for good fortune in their noodle-loving lives. The village is located within a section of the Powers Shopping Center, making it easy to enjoy some local shopping as well.

This zoo is famous for its "behavioral displays," creating comfortable spaces tailored to the animals' ecology and showcasing their natural behaviors. You can witness penguins freely swimming through an underwater tunnel in the "Penguin House," seals moving up and down a cylindrical tank in the "Seal House," polar bears making powerful dives into their pool in the "Polar Bear House," orangutans nimbly moving through the air in a 17-meter-high tower in the "Orangutan House," hippos swimming as seen from directly below in the "Hippo House," and animals living vibrantly in exhibits unique to a Hokkaido zoo such as the "Red-crowned Crane House," "Ezo Deer Forest," and "Hokkaido Native Animal House." In 2022, the "Ezo Brown Bear House" opened, allowing visitors to closely observe Hokkaido's representative wild animals in an indoor enclosure modeled after Shiretoko.

Among the highlights is "Mogumogu Time" (feeding time), where you can observe the animals in their natural feeding behaviors – a must-see! The schedule is decided on the morning of the event, so it's recommended to check the notice boards within the zoo or the official website to plan your route accordingly.

Seasonal events are also appealing. The "Night Zoo," held only during the Bon Festival period in summer, is a summer tradition where the zoo stays open at night. You might see animals sleeping, nocturnal birds of prey actively moving, and even hear the howling of wolves. During the winter snowfall, the "Penguin Walk" offers a charming sight of penguins waddling freely along a course without fences.