Coastal cliffs, a mountain with sweeping views over the Sea of Japan, and a high plateau with lakes and wetlands create a contrast of natural landscapes in the Iwanai District. There are also museums in Iwanai and Kyowa, art, traces of history, and a kamaboko-making class that requires advance reservations. When planning, it is important to distinguish between short nature walks and longer excursions—and to account for the seasonal road closure at Shinsen-numa.
Coast, Summit and High Plateau
The stretch from the Raiden Coast to Iwanai-dake is part of the Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park. The surf has shaped the cliffs there, and distinctive rock formations define the coastal landscape. If you plan to climb Iwanai-dake, allow about three hours for the ascent and about two hours for the descent. From the summit, panoramic views extend over the Sea of Japan.
The Shinsen-numa Nature Recreation Forest in Kyowa offers a different natural setting: the high plateau lies at an elevation of more than 750 meters and includes numerous lakes and wetlands. From the parking lot, a wooden boardwalk leads to Shinsen-numa in about 20 to 30 minutes each way. The walk is suitable for beginners. Around 140,000 people from Hokkaido and other parts of Japan visit Shinsen-numa each year.
Access is key to planning your visit: Prefectural Road 66 is closed from late October to late April, and the area around Shinsen-numa is inaccessible during this period. Check the closure dates before your trip. The short walk from the parking lot and the longer hike to Iwanai-dake offer very different time frames for nature excursions.
Forest Trails and Activities in Iwanai
The forest park in Iwanai includes nine woodland areas, among them the “Forest of Recreation” and the “Bird Forest.” Walking trails invite visitors to enjoy forest bathing and birdwatching; water lilies bloom in a pond in summer. At Iwanai Horse Village, a 30-minute horseback ride passes through birch groves and forest. Alternatively, there is a guided course suitable for small children and beginners.
IWANAI RESORT offers cat tours for powder skiing and three lift routes. From the north-facing slopes, panoramic views extend over the Sea of Japan and the Shakotan Peninsula. Before making specific plans, check which tours and lift routes are available on your dates.
The Maruyama Observation Deck is on a rise at the foot of Iwanai-dake. From there, you can see the townscape of Iwanai and the Shakotan Peninsula. The night view of Iwanai was recognized as “Japan Nightscape Heritage” in 2018.
Art, Local History and Cultural Heritage
The Nishimura Kiyoo Memorial Museum in Kyowa displays works by the painter Nishimura Kiyoo, who was born there. The artist, who is highly regarded in France, is also known for acquisitions of his work: among others, the French government and the City of Paris acquired pieces by him. The museum includes exhibition rooms and a reconstructed studio. At Kakashi Furusato-kan, the restored former Horoni Elementary School building serves as an exhibition venue and presents the history of Kyowa’s development.
In Iwanai, the Arai Memorial Museum displays 267 Picasso prints, including “Le Repas frugal” and works from the later part of Picasso’s career. The Iwanai Local History Museum preserves an organ described as the oldest in Japan, which visitors can play. A monument also commemorates the former Iwanai Station, the terminus of the former railway line between Kozawa and Iwanai.
Kiko-in houses a fully gilded wooden Buddha that stands 6.8 meters tall and was completed in 1921. It is considered the largest wooden Buddha north of Tokyo and was designated Iwanai Town’s first tangible cultural property in 1969. These details connect its height, material and date with a specific local designation.
Local History and Seasonal Discoveries
The history of cultivation is also part of the local story. In 1871, Thomas Antisell, a foreign employee of the Development Agency, discovered wild hops in what is now Iwanai Town. This discovery is associated with the beginning of hop cultivation in Hokkaido. In Iwanai, Shimoda Kuzō also succeeded in cultivating asparagus for the first time in Japan; the town is considered the birthplace of asparagus cultivation in Japan.
At Yoshida Kamaboko, visitors can make kamaboko from Hokkaido pollock with an advance reservation. There are three courses to choose from: “KIDSかまぼこ体験隊,” “親子deかまぼこ体験” and “大人もかまぼこ体験.” In Kyowa, the grounds of Meizenji Temple are covered with pink and blue flowers during the blooming season, from around mid-July to early August. The period from mid-July to early August is a seasonal guide for planning your visit.
Discover more destinations: Iwanai, Sorachi District, Shari District, Usu District, Isoya District, Nakagawa District, Kayabe District, Yufutsu District.
For the broader travel overview: Hokkaido.
