Daisetsuzan Forest Road – Nukabira to Shirogane
Bear country traverse across Hokkaido's wild core.
The Daisetsuzan massif sits at the geographic center of Hokkaido, and the forest roads threading between Nukabira Onsen and Shirogane Onsen give you a front-row seat to what Japan looks like before the concrete arrived. The route follows a mix of Hokkaido prefectural forest roads through dense Ezo spruce and silver birch, crossing braided glacial streams fed by the Tokachi and Ishikari headwaters. The Nukabira River parallels much of the western approach, and the track narrows considerably past the Taushubetsu Bridge viewpoint area — a structure that disappears underwater each summer and reemerges ghostlike every winter. Wildlife encounters here are not hypothetical: brown bear sightings are well-documented on this corridor.
This route demands a capable 4WD with good ground clearance — lifted trucks and capable SUVs are the norm among locals who run it. Several ford crossings after snowmelt (May–June) can turn deceptively deep; mid-July through October is the sweet spot. No permits required for the forest roads themselves, but Daisetsuzan National Park zones carry restrictions on camping outside designated sites. Fuel up in Nukabira or Shirogane — there is nothing in between. Cell service vanishes fast. Carry a satellite communicator. What you get at the end of it is alpine scenery, total solitude, and a legitimate sense of having crossed something real.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 48 mi / 77.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3800 ft |
| Best season | July-October |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Nukabira Onsen, Hokkaido |
| Land manager | Hokkaido Regional Forest Office / Daisetsuzan National Park (Ministry of the Environment Japan) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Daisetsuzan National Park – Ministry of Environment Hokkaido Regional Forest Office |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail, or does it need something more serious?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will struggle — a lifted Tacoma, Land Cruiser, or equivalent with low-range and good all-terrain tires is the realistic minimum. The forest road sections get rutted and soft, and the water crossings will punish anything that sits low. Skid plates are not optional here.
When does the trail actually open, and is snow a real concern?
July through October is the practical window — snowpack lingers into June at the higher elevations and early snowfall can return by late October. Check with the Hokkaido Regional Forest Office before going, as sections can be gated closed after heavy rain or seasonal closures without much advance notice.
Do you need a permit to drive this route through Daisetsuzan National Park?
No standard vehicle permit is required to drive the forest road, but sections pass through Daisetsuzan National Park under Ministry of the Environment jurisdiction, so off-road deviation, collecting plants, and disturbing wildlife are prohibited. If you're camping, use designated forest road campsites — dispersed camping rules in Japanese national parks are strict.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it hard?
The mid-route river crossings are the crux — water depth varies significantly with rainfall and they have no bridges. Beyond that, the climb toward the higher elevation sections involves loose, eroded dirt that gets greasy when wet and offers limited recovery room with steep drop-offs on one side. Go slow, pick your line, and don't attempt it after heavy rain.
There's zero cell service on this trail — how far is the nearest fuel and what's the gas range situation?
Top off in Nukabira Onsen at the start and plan for Shirogane or Biei at the finish — there is nothing in between for 77+ km of remote backcountry. Carry a minimum 5-liter fuel reserve given low-gear crawling will kill your economy, and file a trip plan with someone before you go since rescue comms are nonexistent out here.
Trail track
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