Sangaitaki Park is is a great stop if you have time to spare between Niseko and Chitose, if you are visiting Kita Yuzawa, looking for a place to hike or you are simply wanting to enjoy natural surroundings and a great coffee. The park is less than an hour from Hirafu and just four minutes off route 276 which, is the most common route taken between Niseko and Chitose Airport.  

With its centerpiece the beautiful Sangai Waterfall the park is particularly famous for its stunning autumn foliage, when the surrounding forest transforms into a vibrant canvas of reds, oranges, and golds that perfectly frame the waterfall. But it isn't  just autumn that is a great time to visit as like much of Hokkaido every season brings something unique.

During the summer there are many hiking trails to explore and nearby Mount Horohoro and Mount Tokushunbetsu offer some excellent opportunities for the more adventurous. The river is also rich in wildlife with ducks such as the Mandarin Duck and the Eastern Spot-billed Duck for bird watchers. The Sangaitaki river is a tributary of the Osaru river which is also home to many species of fish including native trout and salmon.

Beyond the rivers, visitors can discover charming features like the Totem Pole Hill, which showcases unique wood carvings commemorating a sister-city relationship with Lake Cowichan in British Columbia, Canada. 

A real highlight of a visit to Sangaitaki Park is the Tachibana Coffee Shop. A family owned and operated store that is an experience in itself. A delicious array of sweets and snacks, teas and coffees in a space where every item is carefully placed and considered like the misenscene of a movie.     

If you looking for a scenic detour and a coffee stop on your way to or from Niseko, Sangaitaki Park is well worth a visit. As you can see if you have more time up your sleeve there is much more to explore too even if you only make it as far as the coffee shop. You can see more of this here - https://www.tachibana-coffee.com/