If you find yourself driving along the Yubari National Highway (Route 452) in central Hokkaido, be sure to stop and take in the Sandan taki (waterfall), viewable from a small park (Sandantaki Park) just off the road in the Ashibetsu area. Signs along the highway give notice of the upcoming attraction and a spacious parking lot and restroom welcome visitors.
Grab your camera and first head down the path to the left, which leads to a bridge overlooking the calm river just before the falls. After snapping a few pictures here, we made the very short hike to the main viewpoint — a confined area with just enough room for one group to snap pictures at a time. A steady stream of visitors, some from tour busses, were making the same hike, so don't expect a totally serene experience. We didn't feel like lingering at the viewpoint since other visitors were waiting to get their pictures as well.
The waterfall proceeds in three stages (the name translates to three-tiered waterfall) with rock formations creating interesting contrasts and a background of lush green forest adding even more depth. You can't get very close to the river and there's no alternate viewpoint other than the main area. Signs warn of the danger of falling in along with the threat of poisonous snakes. Not exactly a great spot for swim.
Sandan taki is best approached as a quick rest stop — although a rather beautiful one — on a larger driving tour that could include Furano, Biei or Asahikawa as ultimate destinations. We were making our way to Furano and Biei from Sapporo for some summer flower-viewing and food hunting. The year before, on the exact same course, we sped by the area without stopping and were left wondering what we had missed. Don't make the same mistake.
It should be noted that our drive was in July, and I can't say first hand what the area looks like in the winter other than that it's most definitely covered in white and there probably isn't much to see in the way of falling water. But if the timing is right on your Hokkaido road trip, don't miss this scenic stop.
