Japan National Route 5

National Route 5 is a major highway in Hokkaido that stretches 288.5 kilometers from the port city of Hakodate in the south to Sapporo in the north. The road passes through numerous municipalities and serves as a central connection between these two important regions.

The route is based on the Sapporo Hondo road, constructed in 1877 under the direction of American advisor Horace Capron for the Hokkaido Development Commission. This road was part of Japan's major infrastructure project to develop and modernize the northern main island.

The road network development reflects Japan's modernization period, when western engineering methods were integrated into the country's infrastructure development during the Meiji era.

The road connects several important cities and offers a direct route through various landscapes of Hokkaido. Travelers should be aware that road conditions vary depending on the season and weather, particularly during winter months.

Near Otaru, the road makes a notable directional shift, curving from its northward path toward the east. This change in direction is a defining characteristic of the route and shapes the driving experience through this section.