Located between the two big cities of Sapporo and Asahikawa, the Sorachi area is an ideal place to stop-by. An ideal destination for a day-trip from Sapporo, with attractions such as facilities related to the coalmines that helped build modern-day Japan, hot springs and expansive fields of rape blossoms and sunflowers. Winter brings heavy snowfalls to most of the areas, where the ski slopes are famous for their high quality snow. Many snow-themed events are also held throughout the region, which is an enjoyable place to visit whatever the time of the year.

The coal-mining-related facilities that remain in Yubari, Akabira and Bibai, which once thrived thanks to the mining industry, are nothing less than open-air museums. There is also the Mikasa Railway Center where visitors can experience operating a real steam locomotive. Such “coalmining-related facilities and lifestyle culture of Sorachi” have been designated as Hokkaido Heritages. Arte Piazza Bibai, built on the site of a former elementary school in the coal-mining town, displays approximately 40 sculptures by world-class sculptor Kan Yasuda. Sorachi’s vast flower fields also attract much attention. Himawari-no-sato, a hill in Hokuryu on which approximately 1.3 million sunflowers bloom; rape blossom fields in Takikawa, which boasts the largest planted area in Japan； and the English style Yuni garden where Linarias bloom are all popular sites, but before you go, make sure to check the season the flowers are in bloom.

The hot springs in Sorachi are oozing with gentle, rustic charm. The small-scale hot springs create a laid-back and relaxing atmosphere. In each community in the area, a hot-spring facility awaits with a warm and friendly welcome.

This area is one of Hokkaido’s leading agricultural belts. A wide variety of vegetables are produced here, and farm restaurants and producers markets are extremely popular. Rare vegetables, such as Pure White corn that can be eaten raw, and Nabana rape leaves matured under the winter snow, are also available. Takikawa is the home of the famous Hokkaido lamb dish known as seasoned jingiskan, while Bibai Yakitori is various parts of a chicken skewered and grilled. Gatatan, Nanko and Gangan-nabe are all dishes that form the culinary culture representative of this former mining region.

When entering the city of Sunagawa, part of Route 12 transforms into Sunagawa Sweets Road, where the main branches of major confectioners, stores dating back over 100 years, and shops selling gelato direct from the farm converge in a melee of Western- and Japanese-style sweets. Sorachi is also famous for its wine-grape production, with a winery that produces and sells wine made from its own grapes, and the vineyard of a winery that sells wine made from grapes produced there. Enjoy the wines unique to the area.