北海道第二の大河である天塩川の流域に開けた名寄盆地は、旭川と稚内を結ぶ道北の主要ルートにあたる。多くの旅人はこの地を通り過ぎてしまうが、穏やかな田園風景が広がる沿線には、閑静な温泉や個性的なミュージアムが点在しており、晴れた日には北海道随一の美しさを誇る満点の星空を眺めながら、ゆっくり流れる時間を過ごすことができることだろう。
名寄盆地の西側に位置する幌加内は北海道屈指の豪雪と厳寒の地。豊かな森に抱かれた人造の朱鞠内湖と、日本一の作付け面積を誇る純白のそば畑が、この土地ならではの印象的な景観を形作っている。
North along Route 40 and the JR Soya Line from Asahikawa cross over the Shiokari Pass, the peaceful Nayoro Basin spreads alongside Teshio-gawa, Hokkaido’s second longest river that flows gently to the Sea of Japan. Many travelers just go through this area and aim for Wakkanai, but a few relaxed places are worth to take a placid time and get their taste of the night sky full of stars.
Destinations
名寄
Nayoro
士別
Shibetsu
和寒・剣淵
Wassamu & Kenbuchi
幌加内・朱鞠内湖
Horokanai & Shuamrinao-ko
美深
Bifuka
音威子府・中川
Otoineppu & Nakagawa
Guide Map
Directions
TRAIN: A few daily limited express trains run to Nayoro from Sapporo (2.5hrs / ¥7260), Asahikawa (1hr / ¥3040) and Wakkanai (2.5hrs; ¥6710). All trains stop at Wassamu, Shibetsu, Bifuka, Otoineppu and Teshio-Nakagawa, too.
BUS: From Nayoro, highway buses (3.5hrs / ¥3090) run from Sapporo (stopping at the Michi-no-eki Kenbuchi), Dohoku Bus 1 and 2 runs to Asahikawa (2.5hrs / ¥1300) and Meishi Bus has seven daily runs to Okoppe (1.5hrs / ¥1790) on the Okhotsk Line.
Horokanai is served by infrequent JR buses from JR Fukagawa Station (73min / ¥1130) and JR Nayoro Station via Shumarinai.
