Bihorotoge Lookout
Bihorotoge Lookout
4.5
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It's on Highway 243 between Bihoro and Teshikaga. I visited the place by taking Twinkle Bus tour (organised by JR Hokkaido).
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4.5
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メロパパ
Yokohama, Japan704 contributions
June 2024 • Couples
Bihoro Pass is located in Akan National Park. There is also a rest house on the pass. This rest house seems to be a roadside station, Gurutto Panorama Bihorotoge. It’s like walking from the rest house to the observatory.” Bihoro Pass (美horo-toge) is located along National Route 243 on the border between Teshikaga-cho and Bihoro-cho. From the observatory at an altitude of 525 m, you can overlook the beautiful Lake Kussharo where Sapporo Nakajima floats.
Lakes in Hokkaido are really beautiful. I hope it's worth a look.
Lakes in Hokkaido are really beautiful. I hope it's worth a look.
Automatically translated
Written 18 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TokyoSommelier
Tokyo, Japan567 contributions
July 2012 • Family
The Toge or "mountain pass" is a 30 minute drive from the town of Bihoro and 45 minutes from Memanbetsu airport. The view from the top of the cliff looking down on the Lake Kussharo or in Japanese "Kussaroko" (ko meaning lake) is breathtaking. The small island called "Nakashima" (Central Island) near the middle of the lake adds to the beauty of the lake. This entire region is a national park so development around the lake is strictly controlled although motorboats continue to be allowed operate on the lake until the majority of Japan's lake that forbid the use of motorboats. The Island of lake Kussharo is home to extremely rare plants and is a protected reserve. Visiting the island is forbidden. The lake is also home to landlock Salmon known locally by the Ainu people as "chip" and "himemasu" (Princess Salmon) in Japanese. Fisherman fill the lake in March to catch this fish to sell to the upper scale hotels in Sapporo.
The lake was home to the native Ainu people. You can visit a museum in the village of Kotan if you choose to make a day of driving around the lake. There are two campsites and the famous tourist destination of tsunayu where children can be seen digging into the sand to create their own private hot bath. Natural hot water springs can be found at various locations around the lake.
There are various Japanese style hotels to choose from and Prince Hotel, the only western style hotel in this region which is situated at the base of Bihoro Toge.
For those interested in paragliding note that Bihoro Toge is a well known spot. In the summer gliders can be seen jumping off the cliff. It is quite the scene. There is also a large tourist complex for visitors to visit which offers Ainu souvenirs. There is also a restaurant and public restrooms. The parking area is huge and a popular spot for those travelling in a mobile home vehicle.
Take the walkway to the top of the cliff for great photos. If you are lucky you will see a family of deer or a great eagle soaring overhead.
The lake was home to the native Ainu people. You can visit a museum in the village of Kotan if you choose to make a day of driving around the lake. There are two campsites and the famous tourist destination of tsunayu where children can be seen digging into the sand to create their own private hot bath. Natural hot water springs can be found at various locations around the lake.
There are various Japanese style hotels to choose from and Prince Hotel, the only western style hotel in this region which is situated at the base of Bihoro Toge.
For those interested in paragliding note that Bihoro Toge is a well known spot. In the summer gliders can be seen jumping off the cliff. It is quite the scene. There is also a large tourist complex for visitors to visit which offers Ainu souvenirs. There is also a restaurant and public restrooms. The parking area is huge and a popular spot for those travelling in a mobile home vehicle.
Take the walkway to the top of the cliff for great photos. If you are lucky you will see a family of deer or a great eagle soaring overhead.
Written 28 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gr00vyTraveller
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia268 contributions
Sept 2010
Best way to get here, aka Bihoro Pass, is by tour bus. We took the Twinkle Bus tour (bought tickets whilst getting our JR Hokkaido train passes - very convenient). During our 1st visit in Sep09, we joined the bus from Abashiri to Akan - JPY1000 for transport plus running commentary in Japanese of which we understood <5%. In our 2nd visit in Sep10, we joined from Shiretoko to Akan. At JPY2000, it's reasonable considering this lookout is not exactly within walking distance of a train/bus station. Also an easy way and excellent build-up to getting into Akan town.
Steps are conveniently cut out for the modern tourist to stroll or streak up (our only option as we only had 15mins - other passengers were either too old or not willing to brave the cold winds) to the top. Those less inclined to go all the way can enjoy a splendid enough view at midpoint. Else there's the veritable tourist pastime in the form of restroom visits, souvenir shopping or snacking. An hour is more than enough to take in the sights plus chomp down an icecream.
At the midpoint bunch of rocks, there's a compass-like stone marker with carvings pointing to lakes nearby & cities far off. As part of the tourist urge to get a better view plus stamp a "I was here", I climbed & stood atop the marker - refer to exhibit A of pic of shoes. Quite a nervy position as one can easily be thrown off balance by strong winds onto sharp rocks, but worth the risk and less than elegant scramble up & down the marker. Couple of (hundred) steps to the top is a rewarding view of Akan National Park. Aah sums it all up.
Saw some paragliders take advantage of the winds and sail down the slopes. Since both trips were in early autumn, basically saw green with some change of colour starting to show. Would certainly be worth a return visit in spring/summer to catch wild flowers in full bloom.
Steps are conveniently cut out for the modern tourist to stroll or streak up (our only option as we only had 15mins - other passengers were either too old or not willing to brave the cold winds) to the top. Those less inclined to go all the way can enjoy a splendid enough view at midpoint. Else there's the veritable tourist pastime in the form of restroom visits, souvenir shopping or snacking. An hour is more than enough to take in the sights plus chomp down an icecream.
At the midpoint bunch of rocks, there's a compass-like stone marker with carvings pointing to lakes nearby & cities far off. As part of the tourist urge to get a better view plus stamp a "I was here", I climbed & stood atop the marker - refer to exhibit A of pic of shoes. Quite a nervy position as one can easily be thrown off balance by strong winds onto sharp rocks, but worth the risk and less than elegant scramble up & down the marker. Couple of (hundred) steps to the top is a rewarding view of Akan National Park. Aah sums it all up.
Saw some paragliders take advantage of the winds and sail down the slopes. Since both trips were in early autumn, basically saw green with some change of colour starting to show. Would certainly be worth a return visit in spring/summer to catch wild flowers in full bloom.
Written 23 May 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lily2411
Singapore, Singapore76 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We are lucky that the weather is good and we get beautiful views.
It is sunny with cool breeze, complete with the blue lake, blue sky, green grass... just love it.
It is sunny with cool breeze, complete with the blue lake, blue sky, green grass... just love it.
Written 30 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pictureski
Singapore, Singapore63 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
If you travel to Hokkaido, this is one location not to be missed. The view at the lookout is absolutely stunning especially in a clear blue sky.
Written 7 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kwoong
Singapore915 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
Bihorotoge Lookout is a Roadstation one will pass by when driving from Lake Kussharo to Bihoro town along Highway 243. There is a roadstation stop here. One must make a point to climb up a little slope across the roadstation to catch a most picturesque view of Lake Kussharo and the surrounding. We passed by in the late afternoon and caught a beautiful sunset. Highly recommended.
Written 28 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mingguang_han
Singapore, Singapore518 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
It's a bit far off but this lookout area is in my opinion the best place to take in the sights of Lake Kussharo.
Written 26 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John
Leavenworth, KS1,286 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Driving to Teshikaga from Abashiri, choose the Bihoro pass route. The pass is beautiful in the winter as you approach the lookout, and the knarled trees in the snowy caldera top are sightly. At the summit you will find the Bihoro Toge (Pass) Lookout, where you can see Lake Kussharo in all its glory. Glad we chose this route. Visited on 2/21/2018
Written 21 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil
Enfield, London318 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
If you have a car, then you have to go here. Fantastic view across Lake Kussharo. The car park is already very high, but you can walk up a lot higher. Well worth a detour.
Written 29 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DLi_hk
Hong Kong, China17,638 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
3rd time here. Panoramic view of Kussharo-ko. Was a bit hazy so up to the Wakoto peninsula can be seen in the distance though less windy compared to our previous visits in Oct.
Written 2 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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