Culture / Tour Spots in Hokkaido Area

Area

Hokkaido
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
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  Toyama
  
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  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Leisure / Hobbies

Culture / Tour

Asahiyama Zoo

4.5

2774 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Asahikawashi Higashiasahikawachou Kuranuma

Asahiyama Zoo is a zoo in Asahikawa City. The exhibits allow you to see the expressions of the animals close up and include the penguin enclosure where you can see the penguins swimming as if they are flying through the air from an underwater tunnel that gives a 360° view (at the Penguin Building), the polar bear enclosure where the 300kg giants swim around energetically (at the Polar Bear Building), the seal enclosure where you can watch the distinctive swimming of seals (at the Seal Building), and the beasts of prey enclosure where you can see tigers, lions, leopards and other from various angles (at the Beast Building). The penguin walk held outside in the snow season is also popular.

A good place to kill time if you have. It is definitely not the place of not visiting will die. However, good to see some of the animals which is natively of Hokkaido It is reachable by bus from...
Abashiri Prison Museum

4.5

792 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Abashirishi Yobito 1-1

This historic museum has preserved the former Abashiri Prison barracks as an outdoor museum. It was completely renovated in 2010. The virtual prison movie titled ''Forests Where Inmates in a Red Prison Uniform Worked'' is a must-see digital stereophonic theater experience focusing on the harsh working conditions of the erstwhile prisoners captured with the latest technology. One can explore the facility on a Guided Prison Tour, or actually eat the food the prisoners were given with the Experience Prison Food encounter. Two of the structures, 8 wards, transferred here are treasured as Japan's Important Cultural Properties.

An interesting visit especially the main prison building! We spent about an hour here but too bad the restaurant was already closed or would have loved to try the prisoner meal set!
Historical Village of Hokkaido

4.5

562 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Sapporoshi Atsubetsu-ku Atsubetsuchou Konopporo 50-1

The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an outdoor museum which reproduces the frontier days of Hokkaido where you can learn about frontier history. There are four separate areas which are the Farm Village, the Sea Village, the Mountain Village and the City and you can walk through each village to experience the different atmospheres. At the Frontier Village Restaurant in the museum, you can eat the simple but delicious “Imo Mochi” and the restaurant’s original Tondenhei (Settlers’) Set Meal.

I’m astounded at the amount of effort and dedication it must take to maintain this place. It’s literally a village you can easily get lost in. I went during winter when there was barely anyone (it...
Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum

4.0

395 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Abashirishi Tentozan 244-3

Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum, which is located on Tentozan in Abashiri City, is a tourist facility based on drift ice and the creatures who live in the Sea of Okhotsk. Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum has the biggest projection mapping in Hokkaido and displays the mysterious creatures such as the clione which live in the Sea of Okhotsk. The high-definition five-screen theater which includes a 300-inch screen is also impressive. One very popular experience is freezing a wet towel when touching the ice directly on the drift ice simulation terrace. At the highest observation terrace, 360-degree panoramic views are an amazing sight and have been designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty since 1938.

Amazing place to learn more about the drift ice. We just arrived here from shiretoko where we saw all the drift ice coming in a few days ago. Its very informative to learn about this. The...
Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe

4.0

271 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Noboribetsushi Noboribetsuhigashichou 1-22

This aquarium is in Noboribetsu. Built on the theme of Northern European Romance and Marine Fantasies, the symbol of the park is its castle modeled on Denmark's Egeskov Castle. In addition to the dolphin and seal show pools, the penguin hall and the king penguin walking route in front of the castle are popular. There's also a petting pool where visitors can touch skates and horseshoe crabs, a Ferris wheel, merry go round and other attractions throughout the park.

Small place so it does not take long to cover this place. The highlight is definitely the penguin walk in the center square. Food and drinks are available, you can also sip a cold beer during the...
Shiroi Koibito Park

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Sapporoshi Nishi-ku Miyanosawanijou 2-11-36

Shiroi Koibito Park is a theme park where you can tour the production plant for Shiroi Koibito, a well-known confectionary that is symbolic of Sapporo (an entry fee is charged). There are also hands on activities such as a course in drawing pictures on the Shiroi Koibito, which can be enjoyed by children and adults. The Shiroi Koibito Park is packed full of areas where you can experience things first hand such as a lounge where you can enjoy the sweets in a space surrounded by English antiques as well as a candy lab where you can watch demonstrations by candy craftsmen. There is also a beautiful rose garden which presents different aspects in summer and winter.
North Safari Sapporo

3.0

169 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Sapporoshi Minami-ku Toyotaki 469-1

A safari park in Minami Ward, Sapporo City. Here you can get up close with many kinds of rare wild animals and reptiles. In the on-site Kitchen Savanna restaurant you can try some of their bizarre food such as fried geckos and fried coconut worms! They also have plenty of more usual foods on the menu so no need to worry! Opening times differ depending on the month so it’s worth checking first before you go.

English...
Kaze-no Garden

4.0

247 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Furanoshi Nakagoryou New Furano Prince Hotel On-site

This garden was used as a location for the filming of the TV drama series “Kaze no Garden” (“Garden of the Wind”), written by famous scriptwriter Sou Kuramoto. The garden has approximately 20,000 individual plants belonging to over 450 different species, giving visitors a real experience of the natural beauty of Furano. In the summer, the “Night Garden,” in which the trees and plants are specially illuminated under the starry skies, enables visitors to enjoy an even more magically beautiful scene.

you will be wowed by nature, its beauty and serenity. highly recommended. You will be transported to a romantic cocoon.
Otaru City General Museum Main Building

4.0

142 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Otarushi Temiya 1-3-6

A museum opened in July 2007 which looks at the history and natural environment of Otaru City as well as science, technology, and the history of transportation on the island of Hokkaido. The museum is divided into two facilities—the Main Building and the Canal Museum. The Main Building has a permanent exhibit which presents the history of railroads in Hokkaido, including 50 preserved examples of major railway vehicles used on the island such as the Shizuka steam locomotive. The Main Building also has a planetarium and science exhibits and conducts simple experiments and short craft classes on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. In the summer, the Iron Horse, a steam engine built in the United States in 1909, is operated outside the museum, and visitors can ride the train for free.

This museum is only about trains. The museum was just ok, very little English info. I did really enjoy the train cars on display outside. Especially the snow plow trains. Its worth a visit.
Sapporo Winter Sports Museum

4.0

174 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Sapporoshi Chuou-ku Miyanomori 1274 Okurayama jumping stadium

Sapporo Winter Sports Museum is located in the Okurayama Jump Stadium about 30 minutes by car from Sapporo Station. There are exhibits of many valuable materials from the Sapporo Winter Olympics held in 1972 in the museum as well as simulators that allow visitors to experience ski jumping while watching on the big screen. This is a place where you can see, touch and experience the fun of winter sports.

A museum dedicated to the 1972 winter olympics that took place in Sapporo. A short trip, but a bit of fun.
Hakodate City Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship “Mashu-maru”

4.0

236 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Hakodateshi Wakamatsuchou 12 - ahead

Hakodate City Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship “Mashu-maru” is where the Mashu-maru is preserved and open to the public in the actual boarding point where it operated until the last day of the Aomori-Hakodate ferry in 1988. In addition to the being able to visit the steering room and the communications room in contemporary state, there are exhibits of actual parts and models in the refurbished front green room, and you can learn about the history and operation of the Aomori-Hakodate ferry through video and audio. This museum is located four minutes’ walk from JR Hakodate Station.

This attraction is closed! Like almost everything in Hakodate and Hokkaido. Government doesnt have to wonder why no tourists are coming. If you close all tourist sites what should we do?? Sad...
Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples

4.5

135 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Abashirishi Shiomi 309-1 Tenriyama/Tachi Okhotsk Park

The Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples is the only folk museum dedicated to the peoples of the North in Japan, and one of only a handful of museums of its kind in the world. The Museum displays the results of extensive research on the history and culture of the indigenous peoples of Hokkaido and also of other Northern peoples in other parts of the world. The Museum holds frequent lectures and seminars, and the Museum shop has an impressive range of books about Northern peoples. The Museum is situated around 10–15 minutes’ drive from Abashiri Station. To reach the Museum by bus, take the Kanko Meguri tourist bus service and get off at the “Hoppou Minzoku Hakubutsukan” bus stop.

Good informative museum about northern people and their culture. Lots of informative exhibits. Though i find abit lacking on the ainu portion. Lots of videos showcasing the different regional...
Lavender Garden in Furano Grape Hill Park

3.5

152 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Furanoshi Shimizuyama Furano Wine Factory

Besides grape vineyards, Furano Grape Hill Park in the Shimizuyama district of Furano City also has lavender fields. The pale purple fields are just exactly the kind of beautiful scene that people associate with Furano. Furano Grape Hill Park is also a popular place to enjoy a meal at the wine production facility or at the nearby wine-lodge.

From old wine cellars to buying newly made wines. Take a small tour and enjoy walking around this place while sipping free wines. Theres a small lavender garden within its compound for you to see...
Otaru Music Box Museum Hall Number 2 Antique Museum

4.0

133 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Otaru-shi Sakaimachi 6-13

"This music box company has shops not only in Hokkaido but also nationwide, including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Okinawa. Enwrapped in the old-fashioned atmosphere of the museum building located 100 meters away from the Otaru Music Box Museum Main Building, visitors can enjoy the ""music of the heavens"" of the music boxes in the collection up close. Filled with historic and valuable antique music boxes, visitors can also view an Aeolian pipe organ made in England in 1908. The first self-playing pipe organ brought into Japan, the organ still resounds with the same beautiful sounds today as when it was first built."

I went here because my friend wanted to go. However I ended up falling in love with this place and came back with 2 music boxes. I hope I get a chance to go here again some day again.
Obihiro Zoo

4.0

100 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Obihiroshi Midorigaoka 2

This is Hokkaido's second ever zoo, located inside Obihiro City's Midori ga Oka Park. It (all 70 kinds of animals) includes Japan's first cold-resistant tropical animal rearing program, with Hokkaido's only elephant. There are also rides like a Ferris wheel and merry-go-round, as well as regular events like Zoo Keeper for a Day, to keep animal lovers coming back for more!

Went with 2 children. Wasnt expecting much. The zoo is small and located next to various parks and small museums. The parts we enjoyed the most was the aviary that had small birds flying freely...
Kushiro City Zoo

4.0

95 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Kushiroshi Akanchoushimoninishibetsu 11

This zoo is approximately 10 minutes by car from Kushiro Airport. In addition to exhibiting popular animals such as polar bears, Amur (Siberian) tigers, alpaca and Japanese macaques, it also has a zone featuring precious animals from Hokkaido such as Japanese cranes, Hokkaido brown bears, and Japanese flying squirrels, and visitors can observe the animals relaxed and carefree surrounded by beautiful nature. “Pakupaku Time” where visitors can watch animals eating is held every day. Special events such as the Sled Riding Tournament and Treasure Hunt are planned in the winter.

The zoo is a great value, only costing about 4 USD. It has a wide range of animals, all within a convient walk. We went during a Monday and there was a lot of staff working there. They also have...
Kitakitsune Farm

3.5

84 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Kitamishi Rubeshibechouhanaoka 52-1

Fox zoo located in Rubeshibe Town, Kitami, Hokkaido. Get a close look at over 60 well-fed foxes. Baby foxes are born every spring and you can watch them grow throughout the year. Check out their popular original fox plushies and other souvenirs.

Great place to get up close and personal with the red fox. Place is not glitzy or large but it serves the function of showcasing the fox.
Shibetsu Salmon Museum (Salmon Aquarium)

4.0

83 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Shibetsugunshibetsuchou Kitaichijounishi 6-1-1-1 inside Shibetsu salmon park

The Shibetsu Salmon Museum, which you can observe how salmon spawns, displays more than 18 related species and 30 species of salmon from around the world. Visitors can learn about ecology to the salmon food culture. The museum places an emphasis on educational activities and holds events such as releasing fry (young fish). The museum is closed from December to January and is approximately 35 minutes by car from Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport.

No visit to Shibetsu would be complete without visiting the salmon museum. 90% of the info is in Japanese but the staff are extremely helpful and is great place just to wander though at your own pace...
Kitaichi Venetian Art Museum

3.5

136 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Otarushi Sakaimachi 5-27

The exterior of the building is modeled on the Palazzo Grassi in Venice while the second, third and fifth floor exhibition rooms, styled on the 18th century palace rooms, house an elegant museum. The museum hosts many special exhibitions in addition to the Venetian displays of interior design throughout the seasons and permanent displays of Murano Glass. You can also get dressed up in aristocratic or carnival-style clothing and have your photograph taken for posterity! The museum is a 10-minute walk from JR Minami-Otaru Station and a ten minute drive from Otaru interchange.

This shop sells lots of different coloured glass items produced locally. They are beautiful and intricate. Reminded me of Murano glass.
Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum

4.5

50 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Sarugumbiratorichou Nibutani 55

This museum, located in Saru County, Hokkaido, displays invaluable folk art articles from the Ainu culture. In addition to displaying traditional Ainu folk artifacts and beautiful art works, one can view Japan's largest dugout boat up close. Many Ainu cultural workshops (Reservations required) can be enjoyed including, wood carving, embroidery, lecture, dancing and the Mukkuri (mouth harp) performance.

Such an interesting museum. Famous woodcarver works from the tourist gift shop in the very far car park with bear statue outside . Go and meet him. I loved seeing the kimonos made from natural...

Leisure / Hobbies Culture / Tour

Aquarium Museum / Science Museum Zoo Art Museum Botanical Garden

Hokkaido Areas

Not just a prefecture but an island of its own, Hokkaido is the most northerly prefecture and island of the Japanese archipelago. Arriving in Hokkaido, which is rural and bursting with breathtaking nature, means entering a world where vast national parks, towering mountains, and natural hot springs can be found at every turn. Come December, these natural splendors freeze over and morph into a winter wonderland.