Boyou Iyashi no Mori in Kutchan is home to one of the more unusual roadside sights in the Niseko area: Takuseki Kuma no Yusui Gonta, a large stone monument featuring a bear with water flowing from its mouth.
I visited with my child in August 2026. What first looked like a quirky photo stop turned out to have a deeper story connected to the local farming and pioneering history of the Kabayama area.
On a clear day, you can also look back toward Mt. Yotei. During our visit, the combination of blue sky, green fields, distinctive trees and a refreshing summer breeze made this small stop feel surprisingly peaceful.
It is best suited to travelers exploring Kutchan or Niseko by car who enjoy unusual local landmarks, short stops and places away from the major tourist attractions.
- What Boyou Iyashi no Mori and Kuma no Yusui Gonta are
- Why the Takuseki monument was built
- Our experience visiting with a child
- Where to see Mt. Yotei from the site
- Parking and practical information
- Why you should not drink the water
- What to See at Boyou Iyashi no Mori and Kuma no Yusui Gonta
- Boyou Iyashi no Mori Kutchan: Access, Parking & Visitor Information
- Boyou Iyashi no Mori & Kuma no Yusui Gonta FAQ
- Best Time to Visit Boyou Iyashi no Mori & Important Tips
- Is Boyou Iyashi no Mori Worth Visiting?
- Plan Your Visit to Boyou Iyashi no Mori in Kutchan
What to See at Boyou Iyashi no Mori and Kuma no Yusui Gonta
An unusual bear monument with water flowing from its mouth
The first thing you notice is the large stone monument engraved with the name Takuseki, with a bear’s head emerging from the stone.
Water pours continuously from the bear’s open mouth, making it an especially memorable sight for children.
It feels very different from a typical fountain or landscaped tourist attraction. When I visited with my child, the bear made a fun and unusual backdrop for photos.
Do not drink the water
During our visit in August 2026, a sign from Kutchan Town stated that the water is not safe for drinking because it has not undergone water-quality testing. Older sources describe this as a spring-water spot, but visitors should follow the current on-site notice and not drink the water.
The Takuseki monument preserves the history of the Nouda family
Beyond the unusual bear, one of the most interesting features is the historical inscription installed beside the Takuseki monument.
The inscription records the history of the Nouda family, who farmed this land for generations. According to the monument, the first generation, Denzo Nouda, was born in Kagawa Prefecture in 1863 and later came to Hokkaido, where the family became involved in developing and farming the land.
The family continued farming here for three generations. The inscription records that their agricultural history, spanning approximately 110 years, came to an end in 2006.
Why was Takuseki built?
A published account from 2009 explains that the landowner wanted to leave behind a memorial when the family’s farming operation, which had continued since the Meiji era, came to an end. Rather than creating an ordinary monument, they chose a bear as a symbol associated with Hokkaido’s pioneering history. Takuseki was completed on August 27, 2007.
The same published record describes the stone monument as approximately 2.5 meters tall, with the bear’s head measuring around 60 centimeters. Up close, it has much more presence than I expected, especially when photographed with a child standing beside it.
At first, I thought this was simply a funny place where water comes out of a giant bear’s mouth. Reading the inscription changed that impression. It is also a place that preserves the memory of the people who worked and developed the land in Kutchan’s Kabayama area.
Turn around for a view of Mt. Yotei
The monument is not the only reason to stop. The surrounding landscape can also offer a beautiful view of Mt. Yotei.
When we visited in August 2026, the weather was clear and Mt. Yotei stood prominently beyond the green fields. The scenery felt unmistakably Hokkaido and added another reason to take a few photos before leaving.
This is not a purpose-built observation deck, so roads and utility lines remain part of the view. That also gives the area a more natural, everyday countryside atmosphere rather than the feeling of a heavily developed attraction.
Summer greenery, distinctive trees and a refreshing breeze
Around the monument are distinctive trees and plenty of summer greenery, creating a calm atmosphere that feels slightly reminiscent of a traditional Japanese garden in places.
During our August visit, a gentle breeze made the stop especially pleasant. It was a simple but memorable way to enjoy summer in Hokkaido.
There are no playground rides or major attractions here. The appeal is the combination of the bear monument, local history and Mt. Yotei scenery in one small roadside stop.
Boyou Iyashi no Mori Kutchan: Access, Parking & Visitor Information
Location
Boyou Iyashi no Mori area / Takuseki Kuma no Yusui Gonta
- Area: Kabayama, Kutchan, Hokkaido
- Visited: August 2026
- Admission: We did not see any entrance fee during our visit
- Opening hours: No opening-hours information was confirmed during our visit
- Closed days: Not confirmed
- Parking: A small space where cars could stop was available during our visit; no official parking capacity was displayed
- Restrooms: We did not confirm any restrooms at the site
- Visit length: We did not time our stay precisely
- Water: Not for drinking; an on-site notice states that the water has not been tested for drinking safety
A small countryside stop best reached by car
The site is located in the Kabayama area of Kutchan, surrounded by farmland and open countryside near Niseko.
This is not a large tourist facility. The main features are the bear monument, the historical memorial and the surrounding scenery, so it works best as a short stop while exploring the area by car.
When we visited, there was a small space where cars could stop near the monument. However, we did not see an official sign stating the number of parking spaces, so I have not listed a specific capacity.
Mt. Yotei views depend on the weather
On a clear day, Mt. Yotei can be seen from the area around the monument.
During our August 2026 visit, the mountain was clearly visible and became one of the highlights of the stop alongside the bear itself.
We have not confirmed winter access, snow-clearing conditions or whether the parking area remains usable during the snowy season.
Google Maps
Open Boyou Iyashi no Mori in Google Maps
Boyou Iyashi no Mori & Kuma no Yusui Gonta FAQ
Is Boyou Iyashi no Mori worth visiting with kids?
It can be a fun short stop with children. When I visited with my child in August 2026, we enjoyed watching the water pour from the bear’s mouth and taking photos together. There is no playground, so think of it as a quick sightseeing and photo stop rather than a children’s park.
Can you drink the water from Kuma no Yusui Gonta?
No. During our August 2026 visit, an official Kutchan Town notice stated that the water should not be consumed because water-quality testing has not been carried out. Even though older information refers to spring water here, visitors should follow the current warning.
Is there parking at Kuma no Yusui Gonta?
We found a small area where cars could stop close to the monument during our visit. However, we did not see an official sign confirming the number of parking spaces, so the official capacity is unknown.
Can you see Mt. Yotei from Boyou Iyashi no Mori?
Yes, weather permitting. Mt. Yotei was clearly visible when we visited on a sunny day in August 2026. Cloud cover can hide the mountain, so the view will vary depending on the weather.
Why was the Takuseki bear monument built?
It was created as a memorial connected to the Nouda family’s farming and pioneering history. A published account states that the family decided to leave a memorial when three generations of farming came to an end, and Takuseki was completed in 2007.
Are there restrooms at the site?
We did not confirm any restrooms during our visit. Because this is a small roadside landmark rather than a full tourist facility, it is best to use facilities elsewhere before arriving if needed.
Best Time to Visit Boyou Iyashi no Mori & Important Tips
August offered classic Hokkaido summer scenery
We visited in August 2026.
The countryside was deep green, Mt. Yotei was visible beneath a blue sky, and the breeze made the area feel especially refreshing. For us, it was a lovely little taste of summer in Hokkaido.
We have not visited during autumn foliage season or winter, so I cannot say that summer is definitively the best season year-round.
Do not drink the water
This is the most important thing to know before visiting.
As of our August 2026 visit, the water flowing from the bear’s mouth was marked as not safe for drinking because it had not undergone water-quality testing. Follow the warning posted at the site.
Watch children around the water and road
Water flows directly in front of the bear monument, so families with younger children should keep an eye on their footing while taking photos.
The site is also surrounded by local roads and farmland. Stay within the stopping area and make sure children do not move toward the road while everyone is focused on taking pictures.
Check the weather if Mt. Yotei is part of your plan
If you are hoping to photograph Mt. Yotei, clear weather makes a big difference.
On our visit, the mountain was visible behind the surrounding countryside and gave us a second photo opportunity completely different from the bear monument.
Is Boyou Iyashi no Mori Worth Visiting?
- Travelers looking for unusual places around Niseko and Kutchan
- Families who enjoy fun and memorable photo stops
- Visitors hoping to see Mt. Yotei from a quieter countryside setting
- Travelers interested in lesser-known local landmarks
- Anyone curious about Hokkaido’s farming and pioneering history
If you are looking for a large attraction with restaurants, shops or children’s play equipment, this may not match the purpose of your trip.
Instead, this is a small local stop where a giant bear monument, flowing water, Mt. Yotei scenery and local history come together in one place.
Before visiting with my child, I mainly thought of it as “the unusual bear with water coming from its mouth.” Once we arrived, however, the mountain view, trees and summer breeze made the stop more enjoyable than I expected.
Reading the Takuseki inscription added another layer to the experience. It made me realize that the monument is not simply a quirky roadside attraction, but also a place preserving the memory of people who worked and developed this land.
If you are driving around Niseko and Kutchan and enjoy discovering places beyond the major tourist sights, Boyou Iyashi no Mori and Kuma no Yusui Gonta make an interesting short detour.
Plan Your Visit to Boyou Iyashi no Mori in Kutchan
Boyou Iyashi no Mori and Takuseki Kuma no Yusui Gonta are located in the Kabayama area of Kutchan, close to the wider Niseko resort area.
Because this is a small local landmark rather than a major tourist facility, checking the location on Google Maps before driving there is the easiest way to plan your stop.
Google Maps
View Boyou Iyashi no Mori on Google Maps
Japanese version
Read the Japanese guide to Boyou Iyashi no Mori
If the weather is clear when you arrive, do not leave after photographing the bear. Turn around and check the view toward Mt. Yotei as well.