Wakkanai to Asahikawa — today is just south, all day. The route is the Ororon Line, Route 232 along the Sea of Japan. Roughly 200 km of coastline from Wakkanai to Rumoi, a road riders love.
The Ororon Line — straight south
Out of Wakkanai and the coastal road begins. Sea of Japan on the left, open plain on the right. Almost no traffic lights, and once you reach Teshio, the view opens to the horizon. The same feeling I had on the SR400 — back again on the XSR900.
Today I skipped the sightseeing stops and rode through. Fatigue is catching up; by the time I reached Asahikawa, "just sleep" was the mood. That's fine. Tomorrow is the last day.
Asahikawa night — izakaya "Kogorō"
Checked in at a hotel in central Asahikawa, walked the streets looking for dinner. I went into "Kogorō." A sign reading "Kita-no-Tsukuri-dokoro" — a local-feeling izakaya.
Warm vibe of a place, and the food is solid. After nearly a week of riding, the fatigue lets go a little in a place like this. If you find yourself in Asahikawa, recommend stopping in.
Travel guide (general info)
※ This section combines public information with the author's notes; please confirm the latest fares, hours, and road conditions on the official sites.
Ororon Line (Wakkanai → Asahikawa)
- Southbound route: Prefectural Route 106 (Wakkanai–Teshio Line) → Route 232 (Ororon Line) → Route 40 into Asahikawa.
- Prefectural Route 106: A pole-free straight (the "longest straight road in Japan" stretch) — stunning, but the wind is strong, watch on two wheels.
- Distance and time: Wakkanai → Asahikawa, about 260 km, 6–7 hours including breaks.
- Refueling: Plan stops in Rumoi, Haboro, Teshio, Horonobe — the coast has fewer stations than inland.
Asahikawa city and food
- Asahikawa ramen: Soy-base double soup (pork bone + seafood); "Hachiya," "Aoba," and "Baikōken" are the three classic shops.
- Asahiyama Zoo: Famous nationwide for behavioral exhibits, about 20 minutes by car from downtown.
- 3-jō Buying-Park: Japan's first pedestrian shopping mall; lively as a dining district at night.
- Izakaya Kogorō (Kita-no-Tsukuri-dokoro): Inside Asahikawa, a place where locals and travelers mix in a good atmosphere.
Tips for shooting Prefectural Route 106
- If you stop on the road for photos, always pull onto the shoulder and check for traffic behind you.
- Strong wind can push a single bike around — even when stopped, lock the steering and confirm the kickstand.
- Morning 8–9 a.m. and evening 4–6 p.m. give the angled light that brings out depth.