[Hokkaido Drive] 85-year-old active driver Iwao Motobu! A scenic trip on the Ororon Line from Hokuryu Town to Wakkanai

Friday, August 1, 2025

A drive with Hokuryu Town's Superman, Iwao Motobu

In mid-June, I was fortunate enough to join a drive around Wakkanai driven by Iwao Motobu (85 years old), a resident of Hokuryu Town.

This is Motobu Iwao, the strong superman of Hokuryu Town, who enjoys fun conversations with everyone and spends every day cheerfully, energetically, and with a smile!

Mr. Motobu, who has a background as a professional large truck driver, enjoys driving around Hokkaido several times a year. This time, he will be taking us on the ultimate "Wakkanai driving course" that is difficult for ordinary people to imitate.

15 hours, 500km round trip! Wakkanai day trip overview

We left Hokuryu Town at 6am and arrived at Cape Soya, the northernmost point in Hokkaido, around noon! We turned around along the coast and arrived home around 9pm.

This is a 15-hour, round-trip drive around Wakkanai covering a distance of approximately 500km, with detours here and there! We'll introduce a fun driving course that takes you north along the Ororon Line and visits several power spots.

List of places visited this time

• 1. Togarikan in Enbetsu Town
• 2. Teshio Roadside Station
• 3. Ororon Line
• 4. Wakkanai Airport
• 5. Cape Soya Park
• 6. Tourist souvenir shop "Kashiwaya"
• 7. Cape Soya Sea, Cape Soya Lighthouse, Tower of Prayer
• 8. Breakwater Dome & Wakko-Haku Route Monument
• 9. Wakkanai Park - Ice and Snow Gate (Sakhalin Islanders Memorial Monument)
• 10. View of Soya Bay
• 11. Wakkanai City Rest and Observation Facility
• 12. Hamayuchi Park
• 13. Kohone House
• 14. Jizo statue enshrined in a small white hut
• 15. Sarobetsu Marsh Center
• 16. Otonrui Wind Farm
• 17. Kawaguchi Ruins
• 18. Sunset over the sea

Let's get started with enthusiasm!

We set off with great enthusiasm! We headed for the roadside station "Obira Banyakan" while gazing at the fishing boats bobbing on the sea and the cows lazily frolicking in the pastures.

Roadside Station "Obira Banyakan"

Enbetsu Town Tongarikan

This rest spot is marked by a distinctive tower.

Teshio Roadside Station

Take a short break at a roadside station that promotes the charm of Teshio Town.

To the northernmost area, Wakkanai

We finally arrive at our destination, Wakkanai City.

Wakkanai Airport

The northernmost gateway to the skies. Anticipation for your trip rises.

Cape Soya Park

The park spreads out on a vast hill and is dotted with various monuments.

Tourist souvenir "Kashiwaya"

The northernmost souvenir shop. You can find a memento of your trip.

The sea of Cape Soya, Cape Soya Lighthouse, and Tower of Prayer

The magnificent scenery of the Soya Bay coastline. The historic Cape Soya Lighthouse and the prayer tower for peace stand quietly.

Breakwater Dome & Wakkou Route Monument

This unique breakwater, reminiscent of ancient Roman architecture, conveys the history of the shipping route that once connected Wakkanai and Sakhalin.

Wakkanai Park Ice and Snow Gate (Sakhalin Islanders Memorial Monument)

Located on a hill, this gate is a memorial to those who died in Karafuto and is imbued with feelings of longing for home.

Wakkanai City Rest and Observation Facility

This is a scenic spot where you can get a panoramic view of Soya Bay. If the weather is good, you can even see the faintly rising Mount Rishiri Fuji.

The way back is also full of attractions! Head south through the Sarobetsu Plain

We head home, enjoying the magnificent natural scenery of the north.

The faintly towering Rishiri Fuji

Hamayuchi Park

This natural park features a beautiful coastline and a primeval flower garden.

Kohone House

This is a facility where you can observe the yellow water lilies that bloom in the swamp.

White straw rolls on the grassland

A grassland where daylilies bloom in full glory

In June, the bright orange Ezo daylilies bloom all over the place.

Jizo statue enshrined in a small white hut

We came across a Jizo statue on the roadside. Mr. Motobu also puts his hands together in prayer.

A grassland where daylilies bloom in full glory

Sarobetsu Marsh

One of Japan's largest marshes. Boardwalks are provided, making it easy to stroll around.

Sarobetsu Wetland Center

This is a visitor center where you can learn about the nature and history of the marshland.

Otonrui Wind Farm

Located in Hamasato, Horonobe Town. The name "Otonrui" comes from an Ainu word meaning "a road on the beach."

Kawaguchi Ruins

The remains of a settlement from the Satsumon period. You can see the restored pit dwellings.

Restoration of pit dwellings

The finale of the journey

A beautiful sunset sinking into the horizon signaled the end of our long drive.

It's a perfect day for a drive under the clear, blue skies of June. We send our boundless love, gratitude, and prayers to Superman driver Iwao Motobu from Hokuryu Town, who was able to fully enjoy the charms of Wakkanai, driving along the Ororon Line and touring Cape Soya, the northernmost point of Hokkaido.

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[Hokkaido Driving] 85-year-old driver Iwao Motobu! See 189 photos of the scenic Ororon Line journey from Hokuryu Town to Wakkanai >>

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