One of Hokkaido's 179 towns
Imakane今金町
Clear-river farm country and a potato that carries the town's name
Hiyama region · Historic Esashi on the Japan Sea coast, and the island of Okushiri.
Imakane grows Danshaku potatoes so good they carry the town's name as a brand — river-valley farm country at its most honest.
Imakane is the inland farming town at the top of Hiyama, spread along the Shiribeshi-Toshibetsu River as it comes out of the hills toward the Japan Sea. The river is known across Japan for its clean water, and the fields beside it grow the Danshaku potato that is sold under the town's own brand. Up the valley at Pirika there is a dam lake, a hot spring and a museum on a Paleolithic site. It is honest, unhurried country for people who like farmland, rivers and quiet.
- Region
- Hiyama (檜山)
- From New Chitose Airport
- ~184 km · 2.8 h summer / 3.3 h winter
- From Sapporo
- ~167 km · 2.6 h summer / 3 h winter
- Best season in Hiyama
- Summer suits coastal and island walks. If you are going for a festival or seafood, check event dates and seasonal availability first.
Imakane at a glance
Drive estimates: straight-line × 1.35, at 65 km/h (summer) / 55 km/h (winter). How we calculate
What to see in Imakane
Michi-no-Eki Imakane
道の駅 いまかね
The roadside station on Route 230 in the town center, the natural stop between Oshamambe and the Setana coast. Potatoes in season, local vegetables and a look at what the valley grows.
Pirika Paleolithic museum
ピリカ旧石器文化館
A small museum beside the Pirika archaeological site up the valley, showing stone tools from a late Paleolithic camp, one of the earliest traces of people in Hokkaido. The site itself is a national historic site.
Pirika dam lake and hot spring
美利河ダムと湖畔の温泉
A long dam across the river forms a lake at the head of the valley, with a hot spring, campsite and walking paths on the shore. Lakeside walks in summer, snow-covered quiet in winter.
Shiribeshi-Toshibetsu River
後志利別川
The river that defines the town, flowing clear through the farmland. Riverbank parks and easy access for fishing and walking along most of its length through Imakane.
Getting to Imakane
Imakane is on Route 230, about forty minutes by car from Oshamambe, whose JR station on the Hakodate Main Line is the closest active railway. From Sapporo it is around three hours by car via Route 5 and Route 230; from Hakodate about two hours. Hakodate Airport is the nearest airport. No railway reaches the town.
Hiyama region: Reach Esashi from Hakodate by car or bus; ferries to Okushiri Island leave from Esashi, with sailings that vary by season.
When to visit Imakane
September and October, when the potatoes come in and the valley turns gold and red. June to August for the river, the dam lake and the campsite. The road stays open in winter but the town is deep in snow and the lake freezes over.
What to eat in Imakane
The Imakane Danshaku potato is the thing to buy, floury and sweet, sold under the town's name. Rice, beans and vegetables from the river valley round out the table, and the roadside station is where it all comes together.
Imakane in context: the Hiyama region
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Hiyama is a region of seven towns in southwestern Hokkaido, including coastal towns, inland Imakane and offshore Okushiri Island. Esashi grew as a port in the herring trade, and you can walk past old merchant houses and the harbour and learn about local culture such as festivals and the Esashi Oiwake folk song.