[Obako in Sounkyo] Sheer Rocks and Ishikari River

Obako

Obako (大函) is a scenic spot with a beautiful conbination of a river and sheer cliffs in Sounkyo (層雲峡), Kamikawa town. Beautiful columnar jointing was born by an explosive eruption of Ohachidaira (御鉢平) around 30,000 years ago. Ishikari River (石狩川) has eroded the rocks over a long period of time, and the Oobako turns into the current shape. A famous scenic spot called Kobako (小函) is near here, too. But it is currently prohibited to enter the Kobako in danger of collapse. A observation deck, a public restroom and a parking lot are on the site. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. But the restroom is broken.

Movie of Obako

Sounkyo

Sounkyo (層雲峡) is a large valley in Kamikawa town located in the southeastern direction of Asahikawa city. In Omote-daisestu Area (表大雪エリア), Daisetsuzan National Park, sheer cliffs with about 24 km in length are on both sides of Ishikari River, and it is surrounded by mountains as much as 2000 m high, too. Daisetsuzan Mounatin Range has been called “Kamuimintara (カムイミンタラ)” by Ainu people since a very long time ago, and means “A garden that gods have a good time” in Ainu lanugae, and I think that you will be satisfied with the translator if you see a grandmagnificent scenery. But an another meaning is “a home of brown bears“, and local people call here a nest of the brown bears, so a lot of the bears inhabit. Sounkyo Onsen (層雲峡温泉) is a sightseeing base that about 2 million come in the Daisetsuzan National Park along with Asahidake Onsen (旭岳温泉), and is popular with hikers as trailheads for the Daisetsuzan Mounatin Range. Read More

The Obako is about 6 km away from Sounkyo Onsen Resort, and restaurants, cafes and convenience stores are built there. In addition, Ryusei Falls (流星の滝) and Ginga Falls (銀河の滝) are near here, too.

Ryusei Falls and Ginga Falls

Ryusei Falls (流星の滝) and Ginga Falls (銀河の滝) are famous waterfalls that rivers drop from columnar jointing of sheer cliffs into Ishikari River in Sounkyo (層雲峡), Kamikawa, and it is said that those are the most beautiful falls in this area. A pair of the 2 falls is one of 100 Best Waterfalls in japan. A parking lot that the Ryusei Falls or the Ginga Falls can be seen is near Daisetsu National Route (National Route 39), and Sokodai Lookout (双瀑台), a souvenir shop, a public restroom and the parking lot are on the site. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. In addition, Obako (大函) is near here, too. Read More

Sounkyo Onsen

Sounkyo Onsen (層雲峡温泉) is a hot-spring resort in Kamikawa town located in the southeastern direction of Asahikawa city, and is one of the 5 major hot spring resorts in Hokkaido together with Jozankei Onsen (定山渓温泉), Yunokawa Onsen (湯の川温泉), Toyako Onsen (洞爺湖温泉) and Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉), and is a base for sightseeing of the Daisetsuzan National Park (大雪山国立公園) that about 2 million tourists come every year. There is a trailhead to Mt. Kurodake (黒岳), and a lot of mountain climbers as well as bathers for medical purposes come. The hot-spring resort is based on a concept of harmony with the natural environment, and almost building design is unified in western-style townscape named “Canyon Mall (キャニオンモール)”. There are 15 accommodations, a hot spring facility, a footbath, restaurants, souvenir shops, convenience stores and Kurodake Ropeway (黒岳ロープウェー), and tourists can climb to highland at 1520 m above sea level by the ropeway. By the way, 7-Eleven in Sounkyo is well-known for being owned by Ms. Sara Takanashi (高梨沙羅 * famous Ski jumper)’s parents. Read More

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Daisetsuzan National Park

Daisetsuzan National Park (大雪山国立公園) in the center of Hokkaido is the largest national park in Japan, the size of 226,764 ha, and has been designed as the national park since 1934, and is the oldest national park in the Hokkaido along with Akan Mashu National Park (阿寒摩周国立公園). A mountain named Daisetsuzan does not exist, and the whole area including the mountains with over 2,000 m above sea level such as Mt. Asahidake (旭岳), the highest mountain in Hokkaido, Mt. Kurodake (黒岳), Mt. Aibestudake (愛別岳), Mt. Tomuraushi (トムラウシ山) is collectively called “Daisetsuzan”, and those are called “A roof of the Hokkaido” ,too. Rare nature such as active volcanoes, Lare Columnar joints, a sea of trees and permafrost even in the Hokkaido can be seen. About 250 types of alpine plants grow naturally, and various forms of life such as brown bear, blakiston’s fish owl, dolly varden and pine grosbeak inhabit here. By the way, A right notation is “Daisetsuzan”, but local people often call “Taisetsuzan”. Read More

Obako Observation Deck

The Observation Deck faces a junction of the ishikari River. The gorge looks beautiful from here, and the dark brown sheer columnar jointing looks like a picture. A large precipice rocks are on the right side, and is worth seeing, too. The Obako with fresh green is good, and the Obako with fall foliage is very good, too.

Atmosphere of Obako Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Obako

List of Accommodations

Refer to following websites for the accommodations near the Obako. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.

Sounkyo Onsen

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Sounkaku Grand Hotel(層雲閣グランドホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Taisetsu(ホテル大雪)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Sounkyo Kanko Hotel(層雲峡観光ホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Choyotei(朝陽亭)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Choyo Resort Hotel(朝陽リゾートホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Yumoto Ginsenkaku(湯元銀泉閣)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minshuku Todate(民宿とだて)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Sounkyo Youth Hostel(層雲峡ユースホステル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Kumoi(ホテル雲井)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Mount View Hotel(マウントビューホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Resort Pension Yama-no-Ue(リゾートペンション 山の上)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Pension Ginga(ペンション銀河)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten