Things to do in Nanae：Jotai Ranch

What is Jotai Ranch? A ranch with a spectacular view from an altitude of 550m.

Jotai Farm is a town-run farm located on a hill at an altitude of 550 meters in Nanae Town, Hokkaido. It began as Muraari Makino in 1920 (Taisho 9), and now has approximately 160 hectares of vast grassland where cattle are grazed and other ranching activities are carried out in a natural environment. This ranch has become a popular tourist destination as it offers a panoramic view of Mt. Hakodate to the south, Mt. Komagatake to the north, and the Ohno Plain to the west. The climate is cool even in summer, and the area’s charm is that you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of each season from spring to autumn.

 

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Shirotai Farm is a scenic spot where you can enjoy the seven-star night view

From the observation deck of Jotai Farm, you can enjoy the “Seven Star Night View” of the Hakodate cityscape, which shines as if it were studded with jewels. This night view is also known as the back view of Hakodate, and is a spectacular spot with a different charm from the general night view from Mt. Hakodate. The sight of the city glowing under the night sky after sunset is magical and leaves a moving impression on visitors. If you are visiting to see the night view, the mountain roads are dark and have many sharp curves, so drive safely when accessing by car.

 

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Jotai Skyline ~A popular winding road for sightseeing~

The Jotai Skyline, which passes through the Jotai Farm, is an approximately 14-kilometre asphalt paved road that connects the center of Nanae Town with the tourist destination Onuma District. If you use Skyline from Nanae Honmachi Interchange on Hakodate Shindo, you can reach the ranch in about 20 minutes. The route that passes through the foot of Mt. Nanae along the way is a perfect driving course where you can enjoy the fresh greenery of spring and the autumn leaves, and the scenery is especially beautiful in early summer and during the autumn leaves season. There is also a free parking lot near the top along the way, where you can see the vast Ohno Plain and Mt. Komagatake.

 

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This road is a winding road that winds through mountain passes, so it is characterized by many steep slopes and sharp curves. When visiting, you need to be especially careful when driving; the road is usually closed due to snow from mid-November to late April, so it’s best to check the timing and plan your visit during the tourist season.

 

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Indoor observation deck and rest space newly built in 2012

The management office of Jotai Farm, which was newly established in 2012, has an indoor observation space that is open to the public from Golden Week to mid-October. There is a rest space that you can use for free, and you can take your time and enjoy the magnificent nature. From the large windows in the observation space, you can see Mt. Hakodate to the south and the Ohno Plain to the southwest, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery to their heart’s content. There are also pamphlets for nearby tourist spots, making it convenient to obtain tourist information.

 

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The charm of each season – from the fresh greenery of spring to the autumn leaves –

The highlight of Jotai Farm is the rich nature from spring to autumn. From spring to early summer, fresh greenery is dazzling, and a refreshing breeze blows through as you enjoy the scenery of expansive grasslands. In autumn, the entire area is colored with autumn leaves, and the trees with their red leaves create a beautiful scenery. Additionally, due to its high altitude, it is cool even in midsummer, and the beauty of each season makes you feel a different charm each time you visit.

 

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Encounters with wild animals ~ Things to keep in mind when in nature ~

The area around Jotai Farm is rich in nature and is home to many wild animals. You may also see Ezo deer, brown bears, red foxes, Ezo raccoon dogs, Ezo snow rabbits, and Ezo squirrels. Red foxes are particularly cute and are relatively common to encounter, but you should never touch them as there is a risk of infection with echinococcosis (parasite). When walking around the farm, it is important to enjoy while maintaining a suitable distance from nature.

Link：Hokkaido official tourism website