Niseko Panorama Line

 Image: Sea of clouds, Niseko Panorama Line, Kyowa Town - August 1993

Niseko Panorama Line is a route that connects the Niseko Area and Iwanai Town and it is closed during the winter season, from the end of October to the end of April. Therefore, drivers have the opportunity to use the route for approximately six months of the year.

Map: Niseko Panorama Line (Doh-doh 66)

The route contains many curves and mountain passes, with frequent ups and downs. There may be fewer vehicles on the road, but you might see cyclists enjoying the ups and downs, or even encounter Hokkaido foxes if you are fortunate.

Image: The beginning of the Niseko Panorama Line, Rankoshi Town - August 2025

When I was a child, my family stayed in Niseko for four days every summer, and we went to Sakazuki Beach to spend time there. Because of this, we tended to travel along the Niseko Panorama Line in the morning and return via the same route in the evening.

This, especially in the morning, sometimes allowed us to enjoy a beautiful sea of clouds while driving along Prefectural Route 66.

Many curves and ups and downs create a distinctive landscape with a sense of depth, and the contrast between the road and the surrounding nature helps drivers feel calm, without any traffic lights or other cars.

Image: Niseko Panorama Line, Rankoshi Town - August 1984

Image: Niseko Panorama Line, Rankoshi Town - August 1993

The winding curves of the road naturally slow drivers down, giving them the chance to fully enjoy the surrounding scenery. Basically, there is nothing along the road, yet roads like this are rare in everyday life. Paradoxically, the absence of anything along the route helps drivers immerse themselves in the scenery.

My father seemed to love this route very much and it left a lasting impression on me as well. I am particularly struck by the landscape, where the nearby forest blends with distant ridgelines.

Image: Niseko Panorama Line - August 1989

Image: Niseko Panorama Line - August 1993

What I liked most while driving this route was the moment when the ocean came into view. After reaching the peak of the route, the road  begins to descend, and Iwanai Bay appears on the horizon.

Image: Niseko Panorama Line, Kyowa Town - August 2014

If the weather permits, the ocean view from the Niseko Panorama Line is breathtakingly beautiful. Whenever I saw the sea, I would get excited, though it is hard to explain exactly how I felt.

Image: Niseko Panorama Line, Kyowa Town - August 2001

My father kept taking photos from the same spot even as generations changed. However, this scenery might be harder to see while driving as the trees have grown taller and now obscure the view. You might miss it if you do not pay close attention to the scenery while driving. I was able to easily locate it on Google Map, but I missed it when I drove the Niseko Panorama Line in August 2025.

Image: Niseko Panorama Line, Kyowa Town - August 2000

Although I did not feel anything special when my father took those pictures of us, I feel nostalgic every time I look at them now. Interestingly, the older the photos he took, the more vivid their colours are. I am not sure if this is due to the weather, digital cameras or photographic film.

Image: Niseko Panorama Line, Kyowa Town - August 1990

Image: Niseko Panorama Line, Kyowa Town - August 1989

The Peninsula behind the people in images above is the Shakotan Peninsula, which is well known for its 'Shakotan Blue' ocean. This peninsula creates a beautiful contrast with the sea in Iwanai Bay.

After reaching Iwanai Bay, we headed north along Route 229, which runs along the coastline. Sakazuki Beach, famous for its Benten-jima, is located just before entering Kamoenai Village. From the shore, you can see unusually shaped rocks, various kinds of seaweeds, and a wide variety of sea creatures in the clear water. There are onsen ryokan nearby, and the area is also suitable for camping, with toilets, showers and a car park available.  

However, my father pulled over just after one of the tunnels at Sakazuki, before we reached the main area, and we walked down to the shore to swim and play. Even though it was always August, the sea water would chill us if we stayed in for too long. Because of this, we prepared a small fire before going into the sea. 

Spending time at this spot was so much fun that I always hesitated to go back to the lodge in Niseko, where we were staying. Having said that, we drove back to Niseko via the Niseko Panorama Line. We sometimes stopped by the onsen, Yuki-chichibu, along Prefectural Route 66.

Image: Niseko Panorama Line, Kyowa Town - August 1984

Staying by the sea might be lovely, but driving to the coast every day during the holidays was wonderful as well. When I was a child, I might have thought that staying right by the sea was better. However, when I look back on the summer holidays of my childhood, both playing in the sea and driving there with my family remain vivid memories.

Image: Niseko Panorama Line - Around 1994