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

Why This Route Suits an Open-Top Drive from Sapporo

A good open-top route has two things: few traffic lights and scenery that keeps changing. Leaving central Sapporo, the road opens up once you clear the residential area, and the drive gradually turns into a winding mountain road.

Adding Makomanai Takino Cemetery on the way back turns a simple lake trip into a day that mixes the quiet of Lake Shikotsu with the striking architecture of the Moai statues and the Hill of the Buddha. Since both legs use the same road, the route is also easy to plan ahead of time.

From Sapporo to Lake Shikotsu

Heading south from central Sapporo, the road joins Route 453, also known locally as Shikotsuko-dori. It runs through Sapporo's Chuo, Toyohira, and Minami wards and the city of Eniwa before reaching Chitose, where Lake Shikotsu is located. It is a single, easy-to-follow road.

The stretch through the city has residential streets and roadside shops, with traffic lights along the way. Morning and evening commute hours tend to be busier, so choosing an early morning or a quieter midday slot on a weekday makes for a smoother drive.

Once you clear the suburbs of Minami Ward, traffic thins out and the road turns into a winding mountain route. This is where the Roadster's handling starts to matter.

Spending Time at Lake Shikotsu

Lake Shikotsu (支笏湖) is a caldera lake known for its exceptional clarity, with the Shikotsuko Onsen hot spring town along its shore. Parking for visitors is available near the town center, close to the sightseeing boat pier and souvenir shops. After parking, start by walking down to the lakeside to take in the color of the water.

A short stop of 30 minutes to an hour is enough to take photos and browse the souvenir shops; allow more time if you plan to take a boat ride or eat at the lakeside.

If you leave the car with the top down, do not leave valuables inside, and check how direct sunlight will hit the interior. Since the parking area sees a lot of foot traffic, lock up and keep an eye on your belongings.

From Lake Shikotsu to Makomanai Takino Cemetery

The way back from Lake Shikotsu follows the same Route 453 north. This road also passes through the Makomanai area of Minami Ward, where Makomanai Takino Cemetery is located just off the main route.

Without stops, the drive from Lake Shikotsu to Makomanai Takino Cemetery takes roughly under an hour, a manageable leg to fold into the return trip after time spent by the lake.

The Moai Statues and Hill of the Buddha at Makomanai Takino Cemetery

A row of Moai statues greets visitors at the main gate of Makomanai Takino Cemetery. The largest stands 9.5 meters tall and weighs 120 tons, with the others at 6.5 meters and 60 tons. Modeled after the moai of Easter Island, the row of statues is a striking sight for a cemetery.

The other highlight is the Hill of the Buddha, designed by architect Tadao Ando. The stone Buddha stands 13.5 meters tall and weighs 1,500 tons in total, with only the face visible above a hill covered in lavender. The approach path reveals the Buddha's face gradually, and looking up partway along the path is a good spot for photos.

Admission is 1,000 yen per person (free for children under 12). Visitor parking is paid, and the parking area is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., so plan your visit to fit within those hours.

What to Know Before an Open-Top Drive

To drive in Japan, visitors need either an International Driving Permit or, depending on the country that issued the licence, an approved Japanese translation of it; rules differ by issuing country, so check what applies to you before the trip. Traffic in Japan keeps to the left, the opposite of many countries. For many drivers, late morning to early afternoon is a comfortable window, with sunlight that is not too harsh and air that is not too cold. Hokkaido cools down quickly in the shade, so pack a light layer if you plan to keep the top down for a while.

Plan the drive outside the snow season; road conditions are steadiest from early summer through autumn. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and rain gear for sudden showers are worth packing so a change in weather does not throw off the plan.