Hokuto City, Hokkaido
A pause at Kijihiki Plateau Looking down on lakes and plains from the grassy heights
Kijihiki Plateau in Hokuto offers views in different directions, toward Mount Hakodate, the Tsugaru Strait, Lake Onuma and Mount Komagatake. The Panorama Observatory sits 560 m above sea level. One July afternoon, I stood on the grassy rise above the facility and took in the curves below and the distant scenery. I’m also eyeing the Trappist cookies in the shop for the drive back.
A winding road below, a view stretching into the distance. Below the photos, I’ll tell you about the afternoon I spent here.
SummerA July afternoon
The road below and a view stretching into the distance
The road I’d just driven up now lay below me. After stepping out of the car at Kijihiki Plateau one July afternoon, the curve caught my eye first. A moment earlier, I’d been taking that same road one bend at a time, eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Looking down at it from above, I felt as though the drive itself had become part of the view, and I smiled.
Just across the road was a low-roofed observatory, with a line of mountain ridges stretching beyond it. To my left, a patch of water peeked through; far to my right, the plain opened out. I’d come thinking I’d focus on one thing, but each time I shifted my gaze, something else caught my eye. I looked at the lake, traced the patchwork of the plain, then found my eyes drifting back to the road nearby.
I had on a white top under a light jacket, but the breeze left my shoulders feeling cool. I stood with my hands clasped in front of me, turning slightly to take it all in. Where should I center the photo? The longer I thought about it, the more I hated to choose just one frame, so I still hadn’t taken out my phone.
The Panorama Observatory stands at 560 m above sea level, and you can enjoy the view from inside, too. From here, you can look out toward Onuma, Mount Komagatake, Mount Hakodate and the Tsugaru Strait in different directions. I knew those places by name, but seeing them in every direction from one plateau made southern Hokkaido start to click into place in my mind.
I hear there’s a musical road between the plateau’s campsite and the observatory. So the road I came up for the view has music tucked into it, too. When I drive that stretch on the way back, I want to listen for it with the window cracked, eyes on the road and my hands on the wheel. Maybe it’ll become one more memory from that drive.
The shop sells Trappist cookies, too. Just picturing myself picking out something sweet after taking in the view brought a smile to my face. I’d been unable to decide what to frame in a photo, but choosing a snack was easy. Even so, before heading to the shop, I wanted one last look. From the grass, I took in the road below and the plain, hoping I’d remember the whole sweep of it on the way home.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local treats to try
Trappist Cookies
Trappist cookies are a sweet souvenir from Hokuto, available at the Panorama Observatory shop. After taking in the wide view, I wanted to pick some up to take home. They’d help me remember the breeze up here once I got home.
Highlights
An indoor observatory with panoramic views
The Panorama Observatory at 560 m has an indoor viewing area. I took in the view from the grass outside, feeling the breeze, but I’d like to spend some time enjoying it from inside the observatory, too.
A melody in the road
There’s a musical road between the campsite and the Panorama Observatory. Once I heard that the road I’d admired from up on the plateau has a tune to it, I started looking forward to the drive back down.
Road details
Road up to Kijihiki Plateau
There’s a musical road on the way from the campsite to the Panorama Observatory. After getting out of the car, I also enjoyed looking down at the curves I’d followed on the way up.
I want to make time for both the drive up to the plateau and the view of the road from the grass. This is the kind of place where I want to stay a little longer.
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