Hoheikyo Dam: The Electric Bus, Autumn Leaves and Parking Near Jozankei

Hoheikyo Dam is a dam in the mountains above Jozankei, a little over an hour from central Sapporo, built with visitors in mind. You leave the car at the Hoheikyo car park and ride a windowless electric bus up the gorge, then walk across the top of the dam with the lake on one side and the cliffs on the other. It is best known for the autumn leaves in October and for the water release you can watch from the observation deck.

1What is Hoheikyo Dam like?

The highlight is the view from the top of the dam, over the mountains and the lake. Each season has its own look: the yellow and red of autumn are the most famous, but the green of summer is beautiful too.

Above the dam there is an observation deck that looks down on it, and from there the water release is impressive. The release times are published by the Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau (in Japanese).

2The electric bus

You cannot drive to the dam itself. Park at the Hoheikyo car park and take the electric bus (or walk) about 10 minutes up the gorge. Outside the busy autumn weeks the bus runs every 15 to 30 minutes. The bus has no windows, so you ride with the fresh mountain air and the scenery all around you.

Check the official site (in Japanese) for the latest.

3Autumn crowds

October, the autumn leaf season, is the busiest time, and it was crowded even on the weekday I went. At the peak of the colors the car park fills up and you may have to queue; on a public holiday in October 2026, the official site showed a 90-minute wait. In July it is normal season and usually much quieter. The site shows the car park status on its top page, so check it before you leave, and in autumn aim to arrive early. When it is busy the buses run about every five minutes, so you may wait a little but you will get on.

4How to get to Hoheikyo Dam

From central Sapporo: a little over an hour, through the city and on past Jozankei. The city roads get busy in the morning; on a weekday morning it took me about an hour and a half, including a 10-minute stop at a convenience store. In the middle of the Jozankei hot spring town there is a Seicomart (Hokkaido's local convenience store) with a big car park, a good place for a break, with Jozankei Shrine next door.

From New Chitose Airport: a little over an hour and a half, on mountain roads with little traffic.

5Near Hoheikyo Dam

Hoheikyo Onsen, a hot spring with water straight from the source and famous for its Indian curry, is just down the road, and Jozankei's hot spring town is about 10 minutes away.

Hoheikyo Onsen: Source-Flowing Baths and Indian Curry Near JozankeiA local's guide to Hoheikyo Onsen near Jozankei: the source-flowing open-air bath, tattoos, the famous Indian curry and the wait, prices, hours, and how to get there by car from Sapporo.

My Jozankei guide puts the dam, the viewpoints over Lake Sapporo and the hot springs into one day.

Jozankei Onsen Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: A Local's RouteA local's day trip from Sapporo to Jozankei by car: Hoheikyo Dam in autumn colors, two day-use onsen, Lake Sapporo's viewpoints and a winery café, with bus, parking and seasonal tips.

6FAQ about Hoheikyo Dam

Q1. Can you drive to Hoheikyo Dam?

No. Park at the Hoheikyo car park and take the electric bus (or walk), about 10 minutes.

Q2. How much is the Hoheikyo Dam bus?

1,000 yen round trip for adults, or 1,200 yen from October 1 to November 3.

Q3. When is Hoheikyo Dam open?

The bus runs from early May to November 3; there is no service in winter.

Q4. When are the autumn leaves at their best?

In October. It is also the busiest month, so check the car park status online and arrive early.