ARTICLES

Drive Course Guide

Discover drive courses for exploring Hokkaido's roads in an open-top car.

Illustrative image of Hidaka horse country pastures. Not an actual photo of the ranch scenery along this route.

2026-09-10

An Open-Top Drive from Sapporo to Hidaka Horse Country (Niikappu and Shinhidaka), About 270 km Round Trip

Route 235 runs along the coast in long, clear stretches, perfect for driving with the top down through Hokkaido's Thoroughbred breeding country. From central Sapporo, head south on Route 36, join Route 235 (Hidaka-ji), and turn back at Niikappu and Shinhidaka (Shizunai): a full-day round trip of about 270 km. Here is how to plan the route and the etiquette for visiting ranches along the way.

A Mazda Roadster (ND, plate 札幌309 わ 38-96) parked in front of the row of Moai statues at the main gate of Makomanai Takino Cemetery. Photographed on September 10, 2026

2026-08-04

An Open-Top Drive from Sapporo: Lake Shikotsu and Makomanai Takino Cemetery

Driving with the top down calls for a route with few traffic lights and changing scenery. From central Sapporo, head south on Route 453 toward Lake Shikotsu (支笏湖), then stop at Makomanai Takino Cemetery (真駒内滝野霊園) on the way back to see the Moai statues and the Hill of the Buddha. Here is how to plan the drive with a Mazda Roadster in mind.