Khaosan Sapporo Hostel （カオサン札幌ホステル）: Makkari

Japan is a land of myth, culture, good food and legends and though this all can be found in Hokkaido as well, the main reason to visit this island is often Hokkaido’s abundant nature.

While many people come to Hokkaido in winter to enjoy some skiing in great powder, summer on this island has even more to offer! There is cycling, canoeing, rafting and of course hiking. And one great mountain to hike is – in my opinion – the most beautiful mountain of all Hokkaido: Yotei.

Yes, you have seen this photo before in one of our last posts: here!

Yotei-zan is also called “Ezo-Fuji”, the Fuji of Ezo, how this island was called many hundred years ago. And why FUJI is self explaining, I think.

They are a few different trails up the mountain, starting from the surroundings town of Kutchan, Makkari and Kimobetsu. Every trail is divided into 10 stages, each stage representing 10%.

7th station = 70%

The Makkari trail starts at a camping ground, which is just perfect for an early start.

A narrow path takes you up the mountain in about 5hours. At some points the path is very steep, with a lot of loose dirt and roots and it feels more like climbing than hiking. But ii is very rewarding! Already halfway up the mountain you have some amazing views down to Lake Toya!

Almost on the top

View down the crater

Walking around the rim

As most of the times, Yotei hides itself in clouds

On top of Mt. Yotei.

On the way down, view of Lake Toya

After the hike, I recommend soaking it the beautiful onsen in Makkari village. This is just what you need after such an exhausting hike! ;)

Written by Irene

To the official website of Khaosan Sapporo

More Hiking? Read this:

今や世界的人気スキーリゾートのニセコですが、雪が解けてしまった春も見どころ満載！

Did you know that Niseko, known as the most beloved ski resort in Hokkaido by people from all over the world, has still remained its beauty in Spring, even without snow?!

今回はニセコの中でもスキー場からは少し離れてしまいますが、春を楽しめる京極町と、真狩村を訪れました。

This time, we visited Kyogoku-cho and Makkari-mura a bit far from Niseko Ski Resort, to enjoy the spring of this area.

ニセコと言えば、、、

However, of course, you will start your visit to Niseko area with....

羊蹄山！
この地域の自然と生命をはぐくむ美しい山は、多くのニセコラヴァ―たちのシンボルです。
山の尾根がきれいだな～と眺めていたら、おなかがすいてきた。

Mt.Yotei!
This stunning mountain is the mother of all nature around the area. It's spring water nourishes the forest, the forest it's wildlife.
And its also the symbol of the Niseko Lovers!

この羊蹄山の真ん前にたたずむうどん屋さんでお昼ご飯を食べることに。
適当に入ったら、人気店だったらしく40分待ち。うまいに違いない！

After looking at great Yotei, we got hungry. So we decided to eat at the restaurant with this beautiful mountain view. Well we had to wait for 40 minutes. This must be yummy!

アナゴの天ぷらうどんと、マイタケの天ぷらうどん。手作り感満載のシコシコ麺がおいしい！！
量が多い！いつもうどんは大盛と決めていますが今回は普通にしておいてよかった。

And we were right!! This really was amazingly tasty. We had Eel Tempura Udon (on the left) and Maitake Mushroom Tempura Udon (on the rigth). Big portions!!

このうどんやさんのHP→名水うどん　野々傘 (Udon restaurant : Nonosan)
http://www.kyougoku-nono3.com/

なぜこんなにうどんがおいしいのでしょうか。それは羊蹄の湧水でうどんをこねているからです。

Why is this udon so delicious? What's the difference?
The answer of the secret is... the water.

といことで、春の雪解けの湧水を堪能しに京極町のふきだし公園（http://www.town-kyogoku.jp/kanko-event/fukidashi-park/）へ。

So, we headed to Kyogoku, Fukudashi (water spring) Park.

羊蹄山が作り出す「おいしい水」が絶え間なく湧き出る噴き出し公園。

この日もたくさんの人々がタンクをもって水を汲みに来ていました。

この公園には、噴き出し口の他に、キッズ向けにたくさんの遊具や噴水、レストランやお土産屋さん、温泉や、展望台もありますので子連れの方々にはおすすめです。

We recommend this place for tourists with family as well since you can find a nice play ground, water fountains, a restaurant, souvenir shops, Onsen, and a scenic view point.

この噴き出し公園の展望台、わりと急めな階段をざっと200段くらい上ると、そこには気持ちの良い景色！裏手の草原にはまだ残る桜と羊蹄山。

There is a stair cases which is quite steep and long - about 200 steps....
But it's worth the climb, as you can find this refreshing scene and at the back: Sakura with Mt.Yotei.