Even for the residents of Hokkaido, driving on winter roads is a difficult task. Be it the snowfall, snowstorm or frost, these are just some regular concerns for driving in Hokkaido in winter.

(Below: Courtesy of the Hokkaido Foreign Tourist Drive Tourism Promotion Liaison Council: "Different from summer! Driving on winter roads")

Skidding: There are two types of winter roads: snow-covered roads where snow is piled up and compacted, and ice-burned roads where snow that has once melted freezes again over the road.

During a full-brake test at 50 km/h, the distance covered after braking was about 10m on a dry pavement road, about 35 on a snow-covered road, and about 112m on an ice-burn road!

(Data from the Living Environment Division, Living Environment Bureau, Hokkaido Environment and Life Division)

Furthermore, there’s a more dangerous variant of icy roads, which are those covered in “black ice”. Black ice is the same as regular ice. At first glance, it looks like a typical road, if not slightly wet.

However, in reality, a black ice-covered road is frozen over with transparent ice, which makes it difficult to detect. These cases are common at pedestrian crossings, below overpasses, and near the entrances of tunnels.

Whiteout: When your vision is impaired due to blizzards or strong winds when the snow gets thrown about. Also occurs when a heavy vehicle drives pass and throws up a cloud of snow, obstructing vision. Both the road and the scenery end up a single shade of white, making it all but impossible for you to figure out which direction you’re heading in.

When these phenomena become rampant due to weather conditions, speed restrictions and road closures will likely be imposed. Here are the spots that often face such regulations by area.

Hokkaido Expressway / Ebetsu Higashi IC-Fukagawa JCT: An expressway that connects Sapporo and New Chitose Airport to Asahikawa and provides access to the popular sightseeing spot, Asahiyama Zoo. This route passes through areas with a lot of snowfall, so there will be many speed restrictions and road closures.

Route 12 / Kamuikotan Tunnel, Harushinai Tunnel: Freezing and snowdrifts are likely to occur within the tunnel and at the entrance and exit and are thus listed as dangerous places which traffic accidents often occur at.

National Route 230 Nakayama Pass / Snow Shelter: Cross the roadside station Moyonakayama and heading towards Kimobetsu from Sapporo, the pass also has a shelter to keep out snow, but the road surface may freeze, nonetheless.

National Route 393 - Kenashi Pass: Located on the border between Otaru City and Akaigawa City, it is widely used as an access to Kiroro Resort. Be careful about slipping when continuing on the steep slope and the hairpin curve.

National Route 37 / National Route 230 - Shizukari Pass: This is a pass at the border between Nagamanbe-cho and Kuromatsunai-cho, and while there is relatively little snow before and after, snowfall around the pass is heavy and visibility may be poor.

National Routes 228 to 229 / Oiwake Soran Line: A scenic area along the coast of Esashi-cho, Suttsu-cho, and Iwanai-cho, where the Sea of Japan and strangely shaped rocks stretch on. In winter, strong winds from the sea tend to cause snowstorms and snowstorms.

National Routes 231 to 232 / Orolon Line: The best drive route to enjoy the scenery of the Sea of Japan running along the coastline from Ishikari City to Teshio Town. One can never be too careful about traffic restrictions due to strong winds and snowstorms in the winter.

Doto Expressway / Yubari Interchange-Tokachi Shimizu Interchange: An expressway connecting Sapporo and New Chitose Airport to Obihiro and Kushiro. Often experiences poor visibility due to snowstorms, and attention needs to be paid to front and rear vehicles in sections where the lane is flanked by other lanes on each side. Cars may be tossed about by strong winds around Tokachi Shimizu.

Dotohigashi Expressway / Uraporo Interchange-Akan Interchange: Since strong winds often blow at straight roads with little obstruction, cases where vehicles are overwhelmed or when vision gets obscured by the snowstorm are not uncommon.

National Route 241 / Akan Crossing Road A pass from Kamashikashiro through Lake Akan to Teshikaga that has steep slopes and sudden curves. Be careful about slips and poor visibility.

When driving on winter roads, sudden operations such as "sudden braking", "sudden acceleration" and "sudden steering" are prohibited. Operate the brakes and accelerator smoothly and slowly and proceed at a gentle pace.

It thus goes without saying to keep a good distance from the car in front, but when visibility is poor, it is also important to maintain some distance to see the brake lights of the car in front to understand the traffic situation. Also, turning on the headlights during the day to let others know about your car is basic courtesy.

Visit the Hokkaido Development Bureau's road condition site (http://info-road.hdb.hkd.mlit.go.jp/) and Hokkaido's comprehensive road information site, Kita no Road Navi
(http://northern-road.jp/navi/index_touge.htm ) to check up on the road conditions before you go.

Rental cars, buses, trains and planes are just some of the means of transport in Hokkaido, and each have their own merits and demerits when travelling around Hokkaido.

Plane: From New Chitose Airport, you can fly to Hakodate, Kushiro, Memanbetsu, Wakkanai, Nemuro, Rishiri (June-September), and from Sapporo Okadama Airport, to Hakodate, Kushiro, and Rishiri.

Although you save about 40 to 60 minutes, operation delays due to bad weather and snow removal are all too common in winter and in the worst case, the flight might even be cancelled.

Train: With deals such as the "Hokkaido Free Pass" (27,430 yen), which allows unreserved seats on regular express trains within JR Hokkaido and free use of the JR Hokkaido Bus (except on some routes) for 7 days, you can travel the region at a low price.

However, depending on the route you might have very few lines that take you to your destination, so preparation is necessary if you’re planning on going to a more obscure location. Again, delays or waits occur frequently during heavy snow or blizzards.

Bus: The most cost-efficient option for travel across long distances, with bonus points in convenience if a highway bus route that runs to the destination is available. Areas not accessible by train might possibly be an option with long-distance route buses.

However, its demerits include compulsory reservations depending on the route, and during periods of congestion depending on the weather some rides may get canceled. Again, seek out the individual bus service providers for more information on operations.

Rental car: Lastly, a rental car is an option with the most freedom and flexibility, allowing you to get pass closed-off areas, and you can even bring along your skis and snowboards easily. However, this is not recommended for those not used to driving on winter roads.

Consider all the above options when traveling long distances and make your trip as hassle-free as possible!

Text by: Minna no kotoba sha