Buses for five major crimson leaf views in Jozankei
If you want to see crimson leaves in fall, Jozankei is one of the best places to go.
Here are five places in Jozankei, located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, with spectacular views of colorful leaves.
This autumn, there are buses running to each of the five major leaf viewing spots in the area.
There is also a guided tour bus. Even if you come by car, you can use this to ensure you enjoy the colors to the full.
Take the bus to five major viewing spots!
Booking and departures for all buses is at Jozankei Tourist Information Center
| Koyo Kappa Bus (Guided tour bus) | 〜 |
|---|---|
| Hoheikyo Dam Bus (Electric bus, round trip) | 〜 |
| Koyo Gondola Bus (Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, round trip) | 〜 |
| Jozankei Farm free shuttle bus Free shuttle bus | 〜 |
| Hakkenzan area KappaLiner※ | 〜 |
- Reservations for the Hakkenzan area (Kappa Liner) are through Jotetsu Bus
- Please note that buses may be delayed or canceled due to weather or traffic conditions
- Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare recommends wearing a mask on buses and in crowded areas to protect your and others’ health.
five major autumn leaf views in Jozankei
Area Map
Introduction to five major autumn leaf views in Jozankei
Information
Jozankei Onsen Area
Access／Koyo Kappa Bus
The autumn leaves of Jozankei are brightly colored because of the location at an altitude of approximately 300m which has a vast temperature difference, and the river that is carefully controlled which makes a good quality of water. Beautiful bridges (even to the names which are beautiful) are dotted around the hot spring resort which you can overlook the rich forests and valleys of the national forest. The autumn leaves reflected on the surface of the water are also wonderful. It’s a luxurious time to walk around the nature walkway from the red Futami Tsuribashi (suspension bridge.)
| Operation period | 10/1(Sun)〜10/21(Sat) |
|---|---|
| Bus departures | 9:15, 11:15, 13:15, 15:15 (4 buses daily) |
| Journey time | Approx. 1 hour |
| Bus capacity | 45 passengers |
| Price | Price: 600 yen per seat (Adult, child same fare) |
| Reservations | Tickets for each bus can only be reserved on the day of travel from the Jozankei Tourist Information Center on a first come first served basis. |
| Bus type | Tour bus seating 45 passengers. |
Hoheikyo Dam
Access／Hoheikyo Dam Liner (For Hoheikyo Hybrid Electric bus stop)
Hoheikyo is one of the leading fall leaf viewing areas in Japan, and is especially popular with overseas tourists.Here you can take in wonderful views of Lake Jozan and Senjoiwa interwoven with majestic nature, along with the best example of an arch dam in Hokkaido. This has been selected as one of the “Top 100 Forest Water Sources” (Suigen no mori) and “Top 100 Dam Lakes” (Damuko) in Japan
| Operation period | 10/1(Sun)〜10/29(Sun) |
|---|---|
| Price | ① Bus round-trip ticket = ￥600 (same price for adults and children) ② Hoheikyo Dam electric bus round-trip ticket + bus round-trip ticket set = ￥1200 (adults only) |
| Bus type | 65 passengers. |
| Journey time | 2 hours (arriving at and departing from the Jozankei Tourist Information Center) |
| Reservations | Tickets for each bus can only be reserved on the day of travel from the Jozankei Tourist Information Center on a first come first served basis. (Hoheikyo Dam electric bus round-trip tickets on sale) |
| Bus type | Bus capacity 50 passengers. |
| Please note |
|
Hybrid electric bus at Hoheikyo Dam
![Jozankei Tourist Information
Center Departure - Hoheikyo Dam Liner -> [Transfer] Hybrid Electric Bus Station (Hoheikyo Dam Parking) - Hybrid Electric Bus -> Arrival at Hoheikyo Dam](https://jozankei.jp/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/godaikoyo-area02-businfo_en.png)
In consideration of the natural environment of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, the use of private vehicles is restricted at Hoheikyo Dam. Please use the hybrid electric bus that departs from the car park.
Timetable
Outward journey
| Buses depart from Jozankei Tourist Information Center | Arriving at Hoheikyo Dam car park | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus1 | 9：30 | → | 9：45 |
| Bus2 | 10：30 | → | 10：45 |
| Bus3 | 12：30 | → | 12：45 |
| Bus4 | 13：50 | → | 14：05 |
Inbound journey
| Buses depart from Hoheikyo Dam car park | Arriving at Jozankei Tourist Information Center | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus1 | 11：15 | → | 11：30 |
| Bus2 | 12：50 | → | 13：05 |
| Bus3 | 14：15 | → | 14：30 |
| Bus4 | 15：15 | → | 15：30 |
On the return trip, please take the same bus you took on the outward trip.
Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort
Access／Koyo Gondola Liner (Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort)
A popular leaf viewing spot recently highlighted on Hokkaido TV. The 8-person ski gondolas run during the leaf viewing season and take you up to the summit, where you get amazing views out over Ishikari Bay.There is also a panoramic observation platform at the summit station.
The Tastes of Autumn (Aki no Mikaku) Festival featuring food from around Hokkaido will also be held every weekend (Saturday, Sunday, public holidays) during the Koyo Gondola period.
| Operation period | 9/23(Sat)〜10/15(Sun) |
|---|---|
| Round-trip | Adult round-trip: 1,200 yen、 Children round-trip: 600 yen （Elementary school students）、Free for preschool children |
| Gondola operating hours | 9:30 – 15:30 (Boarding for the last gondola is at 15:00) |
| Please note | Please be aware that the service may not run in bad weather. |
| Contact | Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort 011-598-4511（9:00 – 17:00） |
| Operation period | 10/1(Sun)〜10/15(Sun) |
|---|---|
| Bus capacity | 45 passengers |
| Journey time | 2 hours 15 minutes (arriving at and departing from the Jozankei Tourist Information Center) |
| Bus departures | As follows（On the return trip, please take the same bus you took on the outward trip.） |
| Price | These two kind of tickets are available 1) Round trip bus ticket = 1,280 yen per person (Adults. Children half price) 2) Koyo Gondola round trip + bus round trip combined ticket = Adult 2,400 yen, Senior 2,300 yen, Child 1,200 yen per person |
| Reservations | Seats are allocated on a first come/first served basis on the day. |
| Bus type | Tour bus seating 45 passengers. |
Timetable
Outward journey
| Buses depart from Jozankei Tourist Information Center | Arriving at Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus1 | 9：10 | → | 9：40 |
| Bus2 | 11：35 | → | 12：05 |
| Bus3 | 14：00 | → | 14：30 |
Inbound journey
| Buses depart from Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort | Arriving at Jozankei Tourist Information Center | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus1 | 10：55 | → | 11：25 |
| Bus2 | 13：20 | → | 13：50 |
| Bus3 | 15：45 | → | 16：15 |
On the return trip, please take the same bus you took on the outward trip.
Jozankei Farm
Access／Jozankei Farm free shuttle bus
The first authentic “Orchard” in Japan.This is a fruit theme park where you can enjoy trekking and zip lining as well as fruit picking.There is a viewing terrace with 360 degree views of crimson leaves, as well as original dishes made with home grown fruit and vegetables for you to sample. A feast for the eyes as well as the stomach!
| Operation period | 10/1(Sun)〜10/31(Tue) ※Closed：Every Wednesday |
|---|---|
| Bus departures | 10:00～16:00（Please request your outward bus until 3:00PM） |
| Operation interval | You need to request at Jozankei tourist information center |
| Bus capacity | Bus capacity: 5-6 people |
| Price | Free |
| Bus type | Large minivan |
Timetable
Outward journey
| Buses depart from Jozankei Tourist Information Center |
|---|
| 10：00 |
| 11：00 |
| 12：00 |
| 13：00 |
| 14：00 |
| 15：00 |
Inbound journey
| Buses depart from Jozankei Farm |
|---|
| 11：45 |
| 12：45 |
| 13：45 |
| 14：45 |
| 16：00 |
Hakkenzan area
Access／Jotetsu Bus service: Kappa Liner (Bus stop No. 27 in front of Hokuren Bldg. ⇔ Hakkenzan ⇔ Jozankei Onsen)
About 5km from Jozankei onsen toward Sapporo, Hakkenzan Area is next to Koganeyu onsen. Mt. Hakkenzan features eight steep rocky peakes as you see. A winery, a horseback riding club, and orchards are gathering at the foot of Mt. Hakkenzan. I’m sure you’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views of the autumn leaves from the summit of Mt. Hakkenzan (altitude 498m)
| Operation period | 〜10/31(Tue) |
|---|---|
| Bus departures | Kappa Liner website |
| Bus capacity | Each bus has 45 seats |
| Price | ①Sapporo Station ↔ Hakkenzan = 710 yen ② Hakkenzan ↔ Koganeyu Onsen = 150 yen ③ Hakkenzan ↔ Jozankei Onsen/Hoheikyo Onsen = 410 yen ④ Jozankei Onsen/Hoheikyo Onsen ↔ Sapporo Station = 960 yen |
| Reservations | Reservations are required by 17:00 on the day before traveling. ⇒Jotetsu Bus Kawazoe Office0120-737-109（9:00〜17:00）or website |
| Bus type | Tour bus seating 45 passengers. |
Access
By Jotetsu Bus
| From Sapporo Station South Exit Terminal,Bay 12 | From Makomanai station, Namboku subway (Bay 4) | |
|---|---|---|
Approximately 70 minutes | Jotetsu Bus service Kappa Liner Approximately 60 minutes（7 busee per day） | Approximately 50 minutes |
| Get off at Jozankei Jinja Mae(Jozankei Shrine) 2 minutes’ walk Jozankei Tourist Information | ||
By Car
By Car |
| Sports Park Public Parking 4-chome Jozankei Onsen Higashi,Minami Ward, （Hotel Milione side） Only a limited number of parking spaces are available |