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Overview & City Profile
Imakane (今金町) in Hokkaido Prefecture (Hokkaido, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Towarutappukoppu Mt., Oshamambe Mt., Yūrappu Mt. and served by Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km) via the regional hub at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS). Set at 65 m elevation (42.4437°N, 140.0937°E), Imakane offers travelers a base for sampling regional Sapporo miso ramen, Jingisukan (grilled lamb), Hokkaido soup curry cuisine and exploring neighboring Setana (せたな町) (17.1 km), Oshamambe (長万部町) (19.9 km), Shimamaki (島牧村) (28.6 km), Yakumo (八雲町) (29.6 km).
The total area is 568.14 km2. Set across coastal plains and river valleys at 65 m elevation in Hokkaido Prefecture, Imakane is anchored by local landmarks including Towarutappukoppu Mt., Oshamambe Mt., Yūrappu Mt. and connects to neighboring Setana, Oshamambe, Shimamaki via Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km). Within Hokkaido Prefecture, Imakane (今金町) serves as a town (町) in hokkaido prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Vast national parks (Daisetsuzan, Shiretoko, Akan-Mashu), powder ski resorts (Niseko, Furano), volcanic calderas, port towns (Hakodate, Otaru), and Japan's richest seafood and dairy.
| Fact | Details for Imakane (今金町) |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | 今金町 (Imakane) |
| Top Local Landmarks | Towarutappukoppu Mt. · Oshamambe Mt. · Yūrappu Mt. · Kamuinupuri Mt. |
| Nearest Rail Station | Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km) |
| Primary Regional Hub | Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) (Capital: Sapporo) |
| Prefecture & Region | Hokkaido Prefecture · Hokkaido |
| Elevation & Coordinates | 65 m · 42.4437°N, 140.0937°E |
| Administrative Status | Town (町) in Hokkaido Prefecture (Incorporated: 1889-04-01) |
| Area & Population | 568.14 km² (10/km²) · 5,802 residents |
What to See & Do in Imakane (今金町): Landmarks & Sights
Visitors exploring Imakane (今金町) from Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km) at 65 m elevation (42.4437°N, 140.0937°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Imakane):
- Towarutappukoppu Mt. — local sightseeing landmark near Imakane (今金町).
- Oshamambe Mt. — local sightseeing landmark near Imakane (今金町).
- Yūrappu Mt. — local sightseeing landmark near Imakane (今金町).
- Kamuinupuri Mt. — local sightseeing landmark near Imakane (今金町).
- Primary Rail Gateway for Imakane: Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km) (connecting to Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)).
Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Imakane
When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Imakane (今金町) and Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido:
- Setana (せたな町) — 17.1 km from Imakane (Hokkaido Prefecture)
- Oshamambe (長万部町) — 19.9 km from Imakane (Hokkaido Prefecture)
- Shimamaki (島牧村) — 28.6 km from Imakane (Hokkaido Prefecture)
- Yakumo (八雲町) — 29.6 km from Imakane (Hokkaido Prefecture)
- Kuromatsunai (黒松内町) — 33.3 km from Imakane (Hokkaido Prefecture)
Getting to Imakane & Getting Around
Train & hub access to Imakane (今金町) via Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km): 1h 30m flight from Tokyo Haneda to New Chitose (CTS), or 4h on the Tohoku–Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto plus limited express train. From Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km) to reach central Imakane (42.4437°N, 140.0937°E).
- Local rail & IC cards at Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Sapporo with Imakane (今金町) and neighboring Setana, Oshamambe, Shimamaki. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Imakane, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
- Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Imakane between Sapporo and Setana can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
- Driving & car rental around Imakane: While Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km) anchors public transit for Imakane, picking up a rental car at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) makes it easy to link Towarutappukoppu Mt. and Oshamambe Mt. with nearby Setana (せたな町) (17.1 km), Oshamambe (長万部町) (19.9 km), Shimamaki (島牧村) (28.6 km), Yakumo (八雲町) (29.6 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.
What to Eat in Imakane (今金町) & Hokkaido
Dining near Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km) and across Imakane (今金町) highlights the regional food culture of Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Imakane:
- Sapporo miso ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Imakane (今金町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
- Jingisukan (grilled lamb) — regional specialty enjoyed across Imakane (今金町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
- Hokkaido soup curry — regional specialty enjoyed across Imakane (今金町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
- Kaisendon (sea urchin, crab & salmon roe bowls) — regional specialty enjoyed across Imakane (今金町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
- Soft-serve dairy & melon — regional specialty enjoyed across Imakane (今金町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
If you are dining in Imakane (今金町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km).
Where to Stay in Imakane (今金町)
Visitors staying overnight in Imakane (今金町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km), or base at major rail hubs in Sapporo (Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)) or neighboring Setana, Oshamambe, Shimamaki for quick train access into Imakane. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.
Best Time to Visit Imakane & Seasonal Highlights
Seasonal guide for Imakane (今金町, 65 m elevation at 42.4437°N, 140.0937°E): June–August for lavender fields and cool hiking (22–26°C); December–February for world-famous powder skiing and snow festivals; late September–October for early autumn foliage.
Wider sightseeing across Hokkaido Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Towarutappukoppu Mt. in Imakane (今金町) includes: Vast national parks (Daisetsuzan, Shiretoko, Akan-Mashu), powder ski resorts (Niseko, Furano), volcanic calderas, port towns (Hakodate, Otaru), and Japan's richest seafood and dairy.
Practical Travel Tips for Imakane (今金町)
- Tourist information (観光案内所) for Imakane: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) or Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km) for local bus schedules to Towarutappukoppu Mt. and walking maps of Imakane (今金町).
- Cash & ATMs in Imakane: Convenience stores and major hotels around Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Towarutappukoppu Mt. often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Imakane accept foreign debit cards.
- Local dining hours in Imakane: Around Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km) and neighboring Setana, Oshamambe, Shimamaki, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to see and do in Imakane (今金町)?
Top local sights and scenic landmarks in and around Imakane (今金町) in Hokkaido Prefecture include Towarutappukoppu Mt., Oshamambe Mt., Yūrappu Mt., Kamuinupuri Mt.. Visitors often combine sightseeing in Imakane with side trips to neighboring Setana (せたな町) (17.1 km), Oshamambe (長万部町) (19.9 km), Shimamaki (島牧村) (28.6 km), Yakumo (八雲町) (29.6 km).
How do I get to Imakane (今金町) by train?
The nearest rail gateway for Imakane (今金町) is Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km), connected via the regional hub of Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS). 1h 30m flight from Tokyo Haneda to New Chitose (CTS), or 4h on the Tohoku–Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto plus limited express train. Use our Shinkansen Fare Calculator to price bullet-train connections to Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS).
What local food should I eat in Imakane and Hokkaido Prefecture?
When dining around Kitatoyotsu Station (北豊津駅) (17.4 km) in Imakane (今金町), look for Hokkaido Prefecture specialties including Sapporo miso ramen, Jingisukan (grilled lamb), Hokkaido soup curry, plus Kaisendon (sea urchin, crab & salmon roe bowls) and Soft-serve dairy & melon at local shokudo, izakaya, and station bento counters.
When is the best time to visit Imakane (今金町)?
Situated at 65 m elevation (42.4437°N, 140.0937°E) in Hokkaido, Imakane follows Hokkaido's seasonal calendar: June–August for lavender fields and cool hiking (22–26°C); December–February for world-famous powder skiing and snow festivals; late September–October for early autumn foliage. Compare month-by-month weather in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: