[Risshozan Observation Deck in Setana] Comfortable Views Can Be Enjoyed

Risshozan Observation Deck

Risshozan Observation Deck (立象山展望台) is a viewing point in the center of Setana town located in the northwest part of Hakodate city, and 2-story observation deck is built on the mountaintop of Mt. Risshozan (立象山) of about 95 m elevation. Setana town and windmills, Okushiri Island and the Sea of Japan, Sanbonsugi-iwa Rocks (三本杉), a symbol of Setana, can be viewed from here. Views are very comfortable if it is the fine weather. The starry sky and the sunset seem to look beautiful. By the way, its name was named after its shape in the distance, and Ri (立) means "Stand" in English, and sho (象) means "An elephant" in English. The Setana Youth Travel Village (せたな青少年旅行村) is near the Risshozan Observation Deck. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge.

Speaking of tasty restaurants in the Setana, Kouda Confectionery Store (甲田菓子店), Herb Tea Shop Hisoppu (香草茶房ひそっぷ) and Fisherman Direct Shop Hama-no-Kasan Restaurant (漁師の直売店 浜の母さん食事処) are popular in particular. I ate foods at the Kouda Confectionery Store and Sobadokoro Genkiya (そば処元気屋), other than the above, and those were tasty. Hot springs gush out in the Setana, and a day trip onsen can be enjoyed at Kitahiyama Onsen (北桧山温泉), Yasuragikan (やすらぎ館) and Usubetsu Onsen (臼別温泉).

Usubetsu Onsen

Usubetsu Onsen (臼別温泉) is a hot spring place in Taisei, Setana town located in the northwest part of Hakodate city. A signboard is a mark along Raiden National Route (雷電国道 * National Route 229), and visitors turn and go straight for around 3 km, and the end of the road is the Usubetsu Onsen. Only Utopia Usubetsu (湯とぴあ臼別) is built. This onsen has an atmosphere such as a secret onsen in the heart of a mountain. But it is easy to access by car. Drive carefully because a gravel road sometimes is landslides. Except the Utopia Usubetsu, restraunts, cafes, souvenir shops and convenience stores are not built. Article is here

Kouda Confectionery Store

Kouda Confectionery Store (甲田菓子店) is a long-established Japanese confectionery store in Setana town located in the northwest part of Hakodate city, and has opened a business since 1900. It is famous for Iwashu Cream Puff (岩シュー) using Sanbonsugiiwa Rocks (三本杉岩), a symbol of Setana, as a motif. The appearance is like rocks, and the cream puff dough is crispy. A shop clerk puts fresh custard cream into it just after odering, and its flavor expiration date is only a hour, so it is known for very short flavor expiration date. Their Western confectionery is famous, but Japanese confectionery using the Sanbonsugiiwa Rocks as a motif are sold, too. Article is here

Genkiya

Sobadokoro Genkiya (そば処元気屋) is a buckwheat noodles restaurant in Kitahiyama, Setana town. There is a building at a heart of fields. The building is a prefab house, but it has an atmosphere that seems to come across tasty dishes. Customers take off shoes at an entrance and enter the restraunt. I visited here around 14:00 on weekdays, and I sat at a table because there were only 2 groups of visitors. The restraunt was not so large. But there are some tables, so family customers seem to enjoy. Article is here