Yoichi & Niki Area

Yoichi and Niki, west of Otaru, are an area where you can enjoy whisky, wine and fruit. Yoichi is home to the Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery, and fruit growing is thriving in Niki. You can find directions and sights through the articles organized by purpose.

Location of Yoichi and Niki

Yoichi Town and Niki Town are at the base of the Shakotan Peninsula. Niki Town borders Yoichi Town to the north and Akaigawa Village to the east, and is 24 km from Otaru City.

Niki Town grows fruit such as cherries, apples and grapes. The area along the Yoichi River is a producing region for fruit, vegetables and paddy rice. Yoichi Town is home to more than 50 vineyards.

Articles in This Area

• Yoichi sightseeing from Otaru
  For when you want to read about how to get to Yoichi and what to see in one place.
• Yoichi distilleries and wineries
  For when you want to visit for whisky and wine.
• Fruit picking in Yoichi and Niki
  For when you want to include fruit picking in your itinerary.
• Sea Urchin in Shakotan
  For when you want to go farther from Yoichi toward Shakotan.
• Otaru in Autumn
  For when you want to combine autumn in Otaru with Yoichi and Niki.
• Shioya, Oshoro & Ranshima Area
  For when you want to see the route from western Otaru toward Yoichi.
• Shakotan, Kiroro & Niseko Area
  For when you want to explore the wider Shiribeshi area.

Sights covered in this article

• Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery — a distillery established by Masataka Taketsuru in 1934.
• Yoichi wineries — Yoichi is home to more than 50 vineyards.
• Fruit picking in Yoichi and Niki — Niki grows cherries, apples, grapes and more.
• Yoichi Space Museum — a facility with space-related exhibits and a theater.
• Fugoppe Cave — a cave archaeological site with more than 800 carvings on its rock walls.
• Former Shimo-Yoichi Unjoya — the only surviving unjoya.
• Fruit Park Niki — a rural park in Niki Town with fruit trees, flowers, an observation deck and more.
• Michi-no-Eki Space Apple Yoichi, Cape Shiripa and Rosoku-iwa (Candle Rock) — listed among Yoichi Town’s facilities and spots.

Getting there

To head toward Yoichi by rail, use the JR Hakodate Main Line. By car, Route 5, which passes through Otaru, Yoichi and Niki, is the main road.

Detailed directions are summarized in Yoichi sightseeing from Otaru.

Seasons and winter precautions

If fruit is your goal, also see fruit picking in Yoichi and Niki. Niki Town is designated as a heavy snowfall area. In fiscal 2026, Fugoppe Cave and the Former Shimo-Yoichi Unjoya are open until December 13. Check each facility’s official page for opening days.

FAQ

Can I visit Otaru, Yoichi and Niki on the same day?

Niki Town’s official site gives the distance to Otaru City as 24 km. If you want to narrow down where to go, Yoichi sightseeing from Otaru lays out how to get around and what to see.

Can I visit the same sights in winter?

They are not necessarily the same all year. In fiscal 2026, Fugoppe Cave and the Former Shimo-Yoichi Unjoya are open until December 13.