Premium soft serve ice cream for ¥500, hot coffee for ¥400, and two white bean paste donuts for ¥450. The premium soft serve ice cream was incredibly delicious! It was rich but not overpowering, creamy yet refreshing, and overall very tasty. The hot coffee caught my attention with its claim of being extracted with maximum pressure and over 130% of the usual amount of beans, but I should have just gone for the cafe latte made with 100% fresh milk. The white bean paste donuts were different from what I expected... The black sesame bean paste was a bit odd for my taste. Maybe regular sweet potato donuts would have been better.

I originally planned to go to Kyogoku to see Mt. Yotei, collect spring water at Fukiage Park, and enjoy the outdoor hot spring while gazing at Mt. Yotei, but it seemed like it was going to rain that day... So, I decided to take my partner to Nakayama Pass to try the authentic "ageimo" (deep-fried sweet potato). We encountered a sudden heavy rain on the way, but managed to arrive at the roadside station safely. It seems that the roadside station has been recently renovated and the souvenir area is very well-stocked. I thought ageimo was something you eat in the car, but surprisingly, there was an eat-in space available. When we tried to buy ageimo from the vending machine, my partner also wanted to try the sweet potato mochi and white bean paste donuts, so we bought three items. The ageimo comes with three pieces skewered on a wooden stick. In the past, it used to be just that, but now they have trays, ketchup, sauce, and even spices for flavor customization. It's a very popular local gourmet dish, selling around 3,000 pieces a day. The customer service at the store was also excellent. The sauce for the sweet potato mochi is easy to spill, so be careful. The staff also said nice words like "please be careful" and "have a nice day." We customized our ageimo with ketchup and sauce at the customization area and headed to the eat-in space. I didn't try the sauce-covered one, but my partner was very impressed. The sweet potato mochi with a sauce similar to mitarashi sauce was also delicious. The white bean paste donuts were a revival menu item, but I didn't even know they existed until now. The melted white bean paste and the balance of the dough were perfect. We ate so much that we skipped lunch. I was tempted by the soft-serve ice cream, but we had plans to go eat soft-serve ice cream later, so we resisted. Unfortunately, we couldn't see Mt. Yotei after all, but the ageimo at Nakayama Pass, after more than ten years, was still delicious. Thank you for the meal!

I stopped by the Michi-no-Eki Moyo Nakayama on my way from Lake Toya to Niseko, where you can see Mt. Showa-Shinzan on a clear day. The specialty here is "ageimo," a deep-fried potato dish similar to an American hot dog but with a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior. It was delicious, and you can top it with ketchup, mayonnaise, garlic, and more. Most people enjoy adding these toppings. The portion size is quite large, so be careful as one stick may fill you up. In the parking lot, there was a monkey show for some reason, and there was also a face-in-the-hole panel featuring ageimo (of course, I took a picture). The souvenir corner with Hokkaido products was surprisingly well-stocked and had a fantastic lineup. Being located at a high altitude pass, it was a comfortable 23 degrees even during the daytime.

The sweet potato mochi is famous, but it was too big so I bought the white ball red bean donut for 380 yen. It tasted as I imagined, simply delicious. I wanted to have coffee with it, but it was sold out. For some reason, there was a cute street performer monkey. The scenery is nice, but not very Instagrammable.

On the way back from camping, we took the usual Route 230 on National Highway. Even though the weather forecast predicted rain, we all got soaked during the packing up due to heavy rain. Feeling a bit down on the way back, we couldn't resist stopping by at the Agemochi shop at Nakayama Pass. We all took a bite and it lifted our spirits a bit. The combination of mayonnaise and chili garlic is the best! The barbecue powder is also highly recommended. It was quite crowded probably because it's Sunday. I'm really curious about the Shiratama Andonuts... I'll have to try them next time. Thank you for the meal.

On the last day of Golden Week, it was perfect weather for a drive. My eldest daughter, partner, and I went for a drive while my youngest daughter stayed back to study, feeling lonely. Despite being the last day of Golden Week, we didn't encounter any traffic jams and had a comfortable drive. The Michi-no-Eki at Nakayama Pass was not crowded, and we easily got our hands on the famous fried sweet potatoes without having to wait in a long line. We bought 2 sets of 6 pieces each, shared one piece each on a tray with some mayo and ketchup for dipping, and enjoyed them on the second-floor observation deck while gazing at Mount Yotei. It was nostalgic and delicious. The remaining sweet potatoes were bought as a souvenir for our youngest daughter. Overall, it was a nice break during our drive. Yes, it was nostalgic and delicious! Thank you for the meal!

I drove to Niseko and passed through Nakayama Pass. Of course, I bought some sweet potatoes. They were priced at 450 yen for 3, which was a bit higher than before. Well, it can't be helped. It had been a while since I had some, but they were delicious. Speaking of sweet potatoes, I love the ones at Tsurunuma Michi-no-Eki. They are just as tasty as the ones at Nakayama Pass Observatory. By the way, there were quite a few people still enjoying spring skiing at the ski resort on Nakayama Pass.

Our family's camping season has begun! However, it's still quite cold at this time! ((；ﾟДﾟ)) We made sure to prepare our gear properly before heading to Lake Toya for our camping trip. Along the way on Route 230, there is the Nakayama Pass Michi-no-Eki rest area. Even if you don't plan on stopping when you start, as you get closer, you'll find yourself instinctively veering into the left turn lane. Why does this happen? The reason is the soul food here, the sweet potato fries (^o^) The sweet and crispy batter on the outside with the fluffy potato inside is irresistibly delicious! And they have a variety of condiments for flavoring, including mayonnaise, ketchup, and various spices. My favorite is mayonnaise with chili garlic! Highly recommended! I couldn't resist stopping both on the way there and back, and I ended up eating two orders on the way back ε-(´∀｀; ) Thank you for the delicious meal.

- Michi-no-Eki Boshi Chuzan - - About 1 hour by car from Sapporo - - Foodlog rating: 3.26 - - A michi-no-eki with a wide variety of souvenirs - - Specialty: "Agemomo" for 300 yen - "Agemomo" for 300 yen: Three pieces of sweet potatoes fried like frankfurters, coated in a crispy batter with a flavorful seasoning. They are delicious on their own, but you can also enjoy them with ketchup, mayonnaise, salt, or any other condiments of your choice. It was even tastier than expected. Thank you for the meal.

I usually write reviews about ramen, but occasionally I review Hokkaido's gourmet food for sightseeing. For the 42nd edition, I will introduce the "Agemoo" at Nakayama Pass.=================================Nakayama Pass is located on National Route 230, connecting Sapporo with Niseko, Lake Toya, and Hakodate. The "Agemoo" at Nakayama Pass is a famous local specialty that almost every Hokkaido native has tried at least once, making it a soul food for Hokkaido locals. Its popularity extends not only within Hokkaido and Japan but also internationally. Truly, it has become a representative specialty of Hokkaido. Today, on my way to Hakodate for a business trip, I stopped by Nakayama Pass for a break after 1 p.m. When traveling from Sapporo to Hakodate, I usually use the expressway, which is a detour (about 310km) as it passes through Tomakomai and Muroran. On the other hand, passing through Nakayama Pass is about 50km shorter, with a distance of about 260km. The travel time is only about 15 minutes longer, and the toll is cheaper, so I decided to take the local road this time. However, it has been decades since I last visited Hakodate via this route. It also feels like it's been quite a while since I last visited Nakayama Pass. The souvenir shop at the top of Nakayama Pass is officially called "Michi no Eki Boushi Nakayama." I guess "Boushi" comes from the beautiful view of Mount Yotei. Although I knew about the "Agemoo," I didn't know the name of the shop. First, I purchased the "Agemoo" for 450 yen at the ticket machine in the sales corner right next to the entrance. It is said to be a very popular product, selling about 400,000 units annually. The "Agemoo" I received had three large potatoes skewered whole on a stick, quite a substantial size. I then went up to the observation floor on the second floor. Oh, Mount Yotei looks beautiful from here♪ Now, let's dig in♪ The crispy-coated, fluffy fried potatoes have a satisfying texture. The slightly sweet coating uses a secret "magic powder." The "Agemoo" at Nakayama Pass was born in 1968. It has been a popular product for over 50 years. Only "Majou" potatoes grown at the foot of Mount Yotei are used. To bring out the unique sweetness and fluffiness of the "Majou" potatoes, they use underground water from the foot of Mount Yotei when steaming the potatoes, emphasizing local production for local consumption. While savoring the delicious potatoes, I found that the three potatoes were quite filling. I managed to finish them all. The "Agemoo" after a long time was nostalgic and delicious♪ I ate it as a light snack, but it was quite satisfying. Unfortunately, I won't need lunch now (o^^o). The view of Mount Yotei is truly breathtaking. With a full stomach and a soothing view, the short break is over. I will now leave Nakayama Pass and head straight to Hakodate. This "Agemoo" at Nakayama Pass is also recommended for tourists who want to enjoy Hokkaido's soul food. The popular "Agemoo" at Nakayama Pass was delicious. Thank you for the meal♪ (Visited on September 8, 2022) (Posted on April 23, 2023)

Located at the top of Nakayama Pass along National Route 230 in Abutagun Kimobetsu-cho, Hokkaido, "Michi no Eki Bokuyo Nakayama" is a popular spot known for its great view of Mount Yotei, attracting approximately 4 million visitors annually. This roadside station is famous for its specialty dish called "ageimo," a fast food popular in Hokkaido, with about 400,000 pieces sold each year. Ageimo is made by using whole peeled and boiled potatoes, coating them with a batter made of pancake mix, and deep-frying them in oil, similar to a potato version of an American corn dog. The roadside station has been selling ageimo since the establishment of its local products center in 1968. During a trip from Hakodate to Sapporo, I decided to stop by for a break and snack since we were passing by. Arriving on a Friday afternoon, just before 5 pm, we were relieved to make it before the closing time of 5:30 pm. Ageimo was available for purchase at the takeout corner on the first floor, where a high-tech ticket machine allowed for ordering and payment. In addition to ageimo, they offered other potato delicacies like "Chajya" with gooey cheese inside, "Imomochi" with a chewy texture, and "Jagamaru" with diced potatoes and fish paste. I opted to buy only the ageimo, priced at 400 yen (tax included). Each skewer contained three large pieces, made from whole potatoes coated in a crispy, slightly sweet, and fragrant batter. The hearty and satisfying dish was delicious on its own, but it also offered various condiments like ketchup, mayonnaise, and spices for flavor variations. While the portion was quite substantial, it might be ideal for sharing between two people. Overall, it was a delightful culinary experience.

Finally, today is the last day in Hokkaido~ We left Otaru, passed through the Sky Loop, and arrived at Nishiyama Pass Observatory in Kokodo Station. This place is known for their delicious sweet potatoes. Hokkaido locals always eat sweet potatoes when they come here. It was really tasty~

One of the oldest roadside stations, Moyo Nakayama, is a must-visit for completing the roadside station tour. The highlight here is, of course, the fried sweet potato! They use Hokkaido's male potato, coated with hotcake flour and fried until crispy. The price has gone up to 400 yen per piece, but considering the large size and volume of three potatoes, it's worth it. Personally, I wish they sold them for 200 yen each. The taste is just like potato, with a hint of sweetness, but it's better when freshly fried. They provide ketchup and mayonnaise for a flavor change, so be sure to use them! The generous portion is still the same, which is great. It's best to share with others. After eating this, you might not be able to eat dinner! The drive scenery is also beautiful, making the drive worthwhile. By the way, the fried sweet potato is ranked third in the Stamp Rally 2020 recommended gourmet list. Thank you for the meal.

This time, there were plenty of seasonings for the sweet potato dish. I tried the sweet red bean paste donut for the first time, and it seemed to be a "revival" item. Inside, there was a sticky rice cake (shiratama dango) and black sesame sweet bean paste. The skin was served with sweet potato. Overall, it was quite sweet.

In the sweet potato industry, I believe this is the most delicious sweet potato in the world. I can't be certain, but in the past, they used to sell them in sets of 3, then at one point it became sets of 2... Now it's back to sets of 3 on a skewer. And the shape of the skewer has changed over time too. It used to have a round core stick, which would often rotate to the heavier side at the bottom while eating, making it difficult to eat. Now it has a square core shape, so it no longer rotates like before, making it much easier to eat. You must eat this before descending the mountain pass. I consider the Nakayama Pass as a checkpoint where you pay a toll of 400 yen and get a sweet potato. Unfortunately, the staff's attitude was a bit rude, which was the only downside.

I tried Jagamarui and it was surprisingly delicious. I originally wanted to eat Nakayama Chicken, but it wasn't available yet, so I decided to try this instead. It's like sweet potato tempura with diced potatoes. It has a good texture and would make a great snack with alcohol. This dish seems like it will become popular. Thank you for the meal.

On this day, I visited a client in Kutchan, so I took the route via Nakayama Pass. When I arrived at "Michi-no-Eki Nakayama," known for its "potato cakes," the line was too long, so I gave up and instead bought three types of chiffon cakes made in Rumoi. I returned to my car and tried to take a picture of Mount Yotei from Nakayama Pass, but the clouds covered its head, making me feel embarrassed and shy. Back in the car, it was snack time. The chiffon cakes I bought were actually created by students from Rumoi High School. They were not too sweet, had a good texture, and were delicious. Lunch finished!

This is the familiar sweet potato dish in Hokkaido. It's not incredibly delicious, nor is it bad, but it feels a bit pricey. Mayonnaise and ketchup are self-service. In the past, there was nothing else, but a few years ago, there were various types of sauces. This year, it was just mayo and ketchup, neither good nor bad (laughs). By the way, at the tea house on the opposite lane of the mountain pass, they sell them individually. When you go alone, that's recommended.

On September 24, 2021 at 14:30, we visited Nakayama Pass again after enjoying the day trip hot springs at Niseko Grand Hotel. My wife and I had lunch here today, enjoying their sweet potato fries (400 yen). Despite the increasing prices, we keep coming back for these fries because they just taste different and delicious, compared to other places. A group of performers from Osaka entertained us with monkey tricks. Although the state of emergency was about to end at the end of September, the weekday crowd was sparse and the atmosphere was not very lively. However, the sweet potato fries were delicious as always!

I was invited by a friend's couple in September 2021 to a place away from Sapporo, and even though the weather was rainy, we were able to see Mt. Yotei for some reason. When we arrived at Nakayama Pass, we tried the "ageimo" (fried sweet potato) which we purchased from the vending machine. I noticed that the price had increased from 350 yen to 400 yen. This year, due to the drought, the potato harvest is not expected to be good, so I understood the price increase. We took the ticket to the counter and soon received our fried sweet potatoes. This time, they also provided ketchup and mayonnaise, along with chopsticks, a plate, and disinfectant wipes for hygiene. The fried sweet potatoes came with three pieces, so we split one among the three of us without adding anything. The coating had the usual sweetness and paired well with the sweet potatoes. While looking at the flag, we noticed a "monkey show" which caught our interest. It was a delicious meal, thank you!