Marchen Hill in Ozora Town, Hokkaido became famous after it was featured in director Akira Kurosawa’s film Dreams. The grand scenery unique to Hokkaido has drawn attention for its beauty.
This time, I will explain how to access Marchen Hill and also introduce the roadside station “Marchen Hill Memanbetsu” located nearby.
Marchen Hill is symbolized by Seven Larch Trees
The sight of seven larch trees standing together makes Marchen Hill an impressive landscape. The exact origin of the name is unknown, but since the scenery looks like something out of a fairy tale, people began calling it “Marchen Hill.”
It is about a 10-minute drive from Memanbetsu Airport. You can park in the free parking lot and enjoy the breathtaking view from the rest area.
However, beyond the lookout is farmland where potatoes and wheat are cultivated, so you cannot go near the larch trees themselves. Still, even from a distance, Marchen Hill shows different expressions through the seasons.
How to get to the Marchen Hill Viewing Spot
From Memanbetsu Airport, drive about 5–10 minutes along National Route 39 toward Abashiri and you will find Marchen Hill by the roadside. Its close proximity to the airport also makes it perfect for a short stop before boarding a flight.
If using the local bus, take the Abashiri Bus “Memanbetsu Airport Line” from either Memanbetsu Airport or Abashiri Station and get off at the “Showa 2nd” bus stop. Travel time is about 7 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport and about 20 minutes from Abashiri Station. The fare is 310 yen from Memanbetsu Airport and 520 yen from Abashiri Station (fares and times as of May 2021).
Roadside Station “Marchen Hill Memanbetsu”
The roadside station “Marchen Hill Memanbetsu” is located about 500 meters closer to Memanbetsu Airport than Marchen Hill itself. At “Marchen Hill Memanbetsu,” a wide variety of Okhotsk specialties are gathered, making it a fun place to visit.
One must-try specialty here is the enormous shijimi clams. They are not only impressively large but also delicious. These clams are harvested from Lake Abashiri, located northwest of Marchen Hill.
For dining, there is the Italian restaurant “Menya,” offering pasta and pizza; “Kitchen Honoka,” serving pork bowls and curry; and “Winds,” which is famous for its shijimi ramen.
▼ Pasta made with Sakura Pork, known for its rich flavor
Other local specialties include pasta with meat sauce and pork bowls made using “Sakura Pork,” a highly praised pork raised on the fertile land of Okhotsk.
▼ Shijimi clam products make great souvenirs
For souvenirs, shijimi clams are a top recommendation. They are sold frozen, and one of the best picks is “Shijimi Soy Sauce,” a soy sauce concentrated with shijimi extract at four times the strength.
There is also a unique drink called “Shijimi Insider,” a soda made with shijimi extract—worth trying at least once to see what it tastes like.
Additionally, local specialties such as cheese and asparagus are also available. They make excellent souvenirs representing the blessings of Okhotsk.
▼ Prison-made products
Because Abashiri is home to a prison, you can also find prison-made products. These items, collected from prisons across the country, are sold here at low prices while maintaining good quality.
The wages earned by inmates from making these products are paid to them upon release, so purchasing these products also supports their rehabilitation.
Name: Roadside Station “Marchen Hill Memanbetsu”
Address: 96-1 Showa, Memanbetsu, Ozora Town, Abashiri District, Hokkaido 099-2356
Official/Related Website URL: http://www.marchen-hill.com/
Memanbetsu is known for more than just its airport
When people think of Memanbetsu, the airport often comes to mind, but Ozora Town—where Memanbetsu Airport is located—also offers seasonal beauty, such as the famous moss phlox in the Higashimokoto district and vast sunflower fields.
Furthermore, if you drive south from Ozora Town, you will reach Lake Kussharo, the largest caldera lake in Japan.
With the arrival of LCC Peach flights at Memanbetsu Airport, Ozora Town is becoming more lively. Be sure to visit and enjoy everything it has to offer.