Iwanai District: Coast, Nature and Culture

In Iwanai District, travel themes range from coastal landscapes and mountain views to museums and outdoor activities. Iwanai and Kyowa offer different starting points for planning your trip.

Landscapes and planning your time

The stretch from the Raiden Coast to Iwanai-dake is part of the Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park. Along the coast, cliffs shaped by the surf and distinctive rock formations define the landscape. Iwanai-dake calls for a different kind of outing: the ascent takes about three hours and the descent about two. From the summit, panoramic views stretch across the Sea of Japan.

In Kyowa, the Shinsen-numa Nature Recreation Forest lies on a high plateau at an altitude of over 750 meters. Numerous lakes and wetlands define the area. From the parking lot, a wooden boardwalk leads to Shinsen-numa in about 20 to 30 minutes each way; the walk is suitable for beginners, too. The time estimates offer a clear comparison: the walk to Shinsen-numa is much shorter than the ascent and descent of Iwanai-dake. These are different outings, each requiring its own time planning.

The seasonal closure is important when visiting Shinsen-numa: Prefectural Road 66 is closed from late October to late April, and the area around Shinsen-numa is inaccessible during this period. Check the dates before your trip. The scenery on the northern slopes of Iwanai-dake also includes views of the Sea of Japan and the Shakotan Peninsula from IWANAI RESORT. Cat tours for powder skiing and three lift routes are offered there.

Museums, history and seasonal highlights

In Kyowa, the Nishimura Kiyoo Memorial Museum is dedicated to the painter Nishimura Kiyoo, who was born there. The exhibition spaces include a reconstructed studio. The artist, who was highly regarded in France, is represented by works acquired by, among others, the French government and the City of Paris. Kakashi Furusato-kan uses the restored building of the former Horoni Elementary School as an exhibition venue and presents the history of Kyowa's development.

Museums in Iwanai offer a range of perspectives, too. The Arai Memorial Museum displays 267 Picasso prints, including “Le Repas frugal” and works from Picasso's later period. At the Iwanai Local History Museum, visitors can play an organ described as the oldest in Japan. Kiko-in houses a 6.8-meter-tall, fully gilded wooden Buddha, completed in 1921. It is considered the largest wooden Buddha north of Tokyo and was designated Iwanai Town's first tangible cultural property in 1969.

Meizenji Temple in Kyowa offers a seasonal highlight: during the blooming season, the temple grounds are covered in pink and blue flowers. The flowering period is estimated to run from mid-July to early August.

The history of local agriculture offers another perspective on the region. In 1871, Thomas Antisell, a foreign employee of the development agency, discovered wild hops in what is now Iwanai Town. This discovery is associated with the beginning of hop cultivation in Hokkaido. In addition, Shimoda Kuzō successfully cultivated asparagus in Iwanai for the first time in Japan; Iwanai is regarded as the birthplace of asparagus cultivation in Japan.

Outdoor activities and local experiences

The Maruyama Observation Deck sits on a hill at the foot of Iwanai-dake. From there, you can look out over the townscape of Iwanai and the Shakotan Peninsula. Iwanai's night view was recognized as “Japan Nightscape Heritage” in 2018. Nine forest areas are spread throughout the forest park in Iwanai, including the “Forest of Relaxation” and the “Bird Forest.” Walking paths invite you to enjoy forest bathing and birdwatching; water lilies bloom in a pond in summer.

At Iwanai Horse Village, a 30-minute horseback ride passes through birch groves and forest. A guided ride is also offered, suitable for young children and beginners. At Yoshida Kamaboko, visitors can make kamaboko from Hokkaido pollock with advance reservations. There are three courses: “KIDSかまぼこ体験隊,” “親子deかまぼこ体験” and “大人もかまぼこ体験.” Advance reservations are part of planning this experience.

Discover more destinations: Iwanai, Usu District, Sorachi District, Yoichi District, Shari District, Nakagawa District, Kasai District, Tomamae District.

For the broader travel overview: Hokkaido.