Recommended Autumn Leaf Spots by UU Hokkaido

Maple Leaves Reflected Upside Down in the Waters of Hokuto City

The city of Hokuto, located in southern Hokkaido at the starting point of the Hokkaido Shinkansen line, is famous for its "cherry blossom corridor," which is home to many famous cherry blossom viewing spots in spring. The splendid illuminated ruins of the former camp site of Matsumae clan's Hekirichi camp, the 300-year-old giant weeping cherry trees at Houkiji Temple, the rows of cherry trees along the Ono River, and the Senbon (thousand) cherry trees at Kiyokawa River are all famous for their cherry blossoms. We will introduce you to nature's color show from mid-October to early November.

The first thing to check out is the foliage reflected upside down in the water. Take the Hakodate Bus, which connects Shin Hakodate Hokuto Station to Hakodate Station. Take a bus (Line 21, 22, 25 or 28) bound for Hakodate Station from Bus Terminal No. 5 bus stop in front of Shin Hakodate Hokuto Station. From here, walk slowly and leisurely for approximately 8.5 km. Please take a map with you. The direction you are heading is Hachiro-numa. After crossing the Ono River, you will take a gentle uphill road. Occasionally you will look back and see the plains, the birthplace of Hokkaido's paddy fields. Hachiro-numa is a moat pond that was originally made for paddy water and a carp farm, and is now a general park. Here Mt. Kannon (height 144.4m), is a lush green place with trees, with colors changing en masse in the fall. The foliage is magnificently reflected upside down on the surface of Hachiro-numa swamp which acts as a mirror. The city of Hokuto is holding a special event to let visitors enjoy the fantastic fall colors at night by lighting them up. From Hachiro-numa, head down the hill to Hokkeji Temple, famous for its cherry blossoms. Your final destination is the bus stop in front of the General Administration Office.

Next, we will enjoy the fall foliage of the Matsumae Clan's Hekirichi Camp site. This site is closely related to Hakodate Goryokaku, an earthen fortress built for security of the North and much like Shiryokaku. History buffs will love this place, with cherry blossoms blooming and the surrounding trees turning color in the fall. Very unfortunately, the Hakodate War broke out after its completion and it was burned to the ground, so you can only feel the undulations of the earthen ramparts on the site, but you can still sense the time period as the trees change color.

In addition, there are many other important historical sites in Hokuto City, such as the Baron Kawada Museum (Danshaku Center), the birthplace of baron potatoes, the Trappist Monastery, famous for its men's monastery, and the ruins of Yafurai Gun Battery.