Day Trips from SapporoAikawa Viewpoint Parking: The Straight Road to Mt. Yotei
By Chaporo, a Sapporo local Published 
Quick answers
- A straight road running toward Mt. Yotei, seen head-on: the classic photo of the mountain
- Free roadside car park for about nine cars; no toilets
- On Route 276 in Kimobetsu, 2 km from the Aikawa junction
- About two hours from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport, no expressway
Aikawa Viewpoint Parking, on Route 276 in Kimobetsu, is where you get the classic photo of Mt. Yotei: a straight road running toward the mountain, with the perfect cone standing at the end of it. It is a small, free roadside car park on the way from Sapporo to Niseko, so it is easy to stop.
The view
Mt. Yotei, 1,898 meters, is called "Ezo Fuji" for its Mt. Fuji-like cone. From here you see it head-on, with the road leading straight to it.
Mt. Yotei's top is often in cloud, especially in the afternoon, so come in the morning if you can. Do not stop on the road for the photo: cars come through fast. Use the car park.
There are no toilets, so use the ones at Roadside Station Boyo Nakayama on the way, or a convenience store in Kimobetsu.
Parking
It is free and holds about nine cars.
How to get there
From Sapporo: about two hours on ordinary roads, including a break. Take Route 230 south through Makomanai and Jozankei and over the Nakayama Pass to Kimobetsu; turn right at the Aikawa junction onto Route 276. The car park is about 2 kilometers on.
From New Chitose Airport: about two hours, via Prefectural Road 16 toward Lake Shikotsu, then Route 453 and Route 276 west. The car park is about 2 kilometers west of the Aikawa junction (just before Kimobetsu town park).
Near Aikawa Viewpoint Parking
Kyogoku's spring water park, a farm soba restaurant with Mt. Yotei reflected in its pond, and Makkari Onsen, where you look at the mountain from the bath, are all nearby. My Niseko day trip goes all the way around the mountain.
Kyogoku Fukidashi Park: Mt. Yotei Spring Water and Cold-Brew CoffeeA local's guide to Roadside Station Kyogoku and Fukidashi Park at the foot of Mt. Yotei: one of Japan's 100 best waters, the suspension bridge and forest walk, cold-brew coffee with a mountain view, parking and hours.
Noka no Sobaya Yoteizan: Farm Soba with Mt. Yotei in the PondA local's guide to Noka no Sobaya Yoteizan in Kutchan: soba from the farm's own buckwheat and Mt. Yotei's spring water, the menu and prices, Mt. Yotei reflected in the pond, hours, closed days and parking.
Makkari Onsen: An Open-Air Bath Facing Mt. YoteiA local's guide to Makkari Onsen at the foot of Mt. Yotei: the open-air rock bath facing the mountain, the water and sauna, the cottages and restaurant, price (600 yen), hours, closed days and parking.
Niseko Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: A Local's Summer RouteA local's summer day trip from Sapporo to Niseko by car: over the Nakayama Pass, around Mt. Yotei, up the Niseko Panorama Line to Goshiki Onsen and the Oyunuma pond, Takahashi Dairy Farm, and a bath facing Mt. Yotei at Makkari Onsen.
Where to See Mt. Yotei: A Local's Guide to the Best Viewpoints by CarThe best places to see Mt. Yotei, the Mt. Fuji of Hokkaido, from a Sapporo local who has driven all the way around it: the straight road at Aikawa, its reflection in a pond, the view from an onsen, and a one-day loop from Sapporo.
FAQ about Aikawa Viewpoint Parking
Q1. Where is the best photo of Mt. Yotei with a straight road?
At Aikawa Viewpoint Parking, on Route 276 in Kimobetsu.
Q2. Is there parking?
Yes, a free car park for about nine cars, with no toilets.
Q3. How far is it from Sapporo?
About two hours on ordinary roads, over the Nakayama Pass.