Travel / Tourism Spots in Hokkaido Area

  • Hokkaido-Sapporo Food & Tourism Information Center
    rating-image
    4.0
    191 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Sapporoshi Kita-ku Kitarokujounishi 4JR Sapporo Station West Concourse North Exit
    The Hokkaido-Sapporo Food & Tourism Information Center is a collaboration between Hokkaido and Sapporo City that aims to disseminate sightseeing information and eating attractions to tourists and locals. It is located at the north exit of the west concourse on the first floor of JR Sapporo Station, and is the first facility in Japan to contain the three entities of the prefecture, municipality and JR. There is also a corner with pamphlets from all around Hokkaido and a cafe that publicizes and sells safe and sound Hokkaido foods where it is easy to savor light refreshments using local specialties.

    they offer good information in multiple languages, and also many materials for tourists. Its right next to the JR office where you can purchase train tickets and exchange JR passes.

  • Akan International Crane Center 'Grus'
    rating-image
    4.0
    146 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Kushiroshi Akanchoukamiakan 23sen 40
    Established in 1996, this is the only center in Japan dedicated to the study of the ecology and life of the Japanese crane. The center houses displays depicting the body structure of a crane, the life of the crane, as well as lively images and videos of the crane. In front of the adjoining crane observatory is a feeding area. The center is located around 20 minutes by car from the Tancho Kushiro Airport.

    Theres an observation area next to a large field, where the migrating red crowned cranes land, eat, and mate. Easy to see these cranes, and photograph them. It was a great experience.

  • Sapporo Winter Sports Museum
    rating-image
    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.

  • Otaru City General Museum Main Building
    rating-image
    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.

  • "Roadside Station Biei ""Okanokura"""
    rating-image
    3.5
    173 Reviews
    Transportation
    Hokkaido Kamikawagumbieichou Motomachi 1-9-21
    A roadside station housed inside a remodeled storehouse built of local soft stone in Biei Town. Inside, the extensive use of Biei Japanese larch wood gives the station a warm, inviting atmosphere. Here you can buy cider modeled after Biei's famous Blue Pond; local specialty products like Biei milk, pork, and flour; and wood and ceramic pieces by local artists. Events such as solo and photo exhibitions featuring artists connected to Biei are periodically held in the station's event space.

    didnt see too much here...just a wayside stop and a place where folks sold some natural produce. there was a nice apple crepe shop next to it.

  • Salmon Park Chitose
    rating-image
    4.0
    141 Reviews
    Transportation
    Hokkaido Chitoseshi Hanazono 2-4-2
    A roadside station standing along National Route 337 connecting the cities of Chitose and Otaru. The Chitose River flows through the grounds and when in season you can see salmon swimming upstream here. The rest area has a large children's space and many families with children stop by here. The Chitose Aquarium, one of the largest freshwater fish aquariums in Japan, adjoins the station, and here you can see salmon as well as freshwater fish from around the world. A fish wheel on the river is used to catch salmon and you can observe the salmon fishing process.

    the nearby salmon aquarium is good. doesnt look like much from the outside but a hidden gem. we ate at the pizza shop this time and another hidden gem. pizzas were excellent.. with good variety...

  • New Chitose Airport Domestic Terminal Building
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Chitose-shi Bibi Shinchitose Airport
    This is the entranceway to the skies of Hokkaido. Of all the airports in Japan, this massive facility is the fifth largest, and boasts the fifth largest number of passengers after Haneda, Narita, Kansai International and Fukuoka airports. It is famous for its abundance of stores including Hokkaido gourmet and specialty products, and there are many excellent dishes that can only be enjoyed here. In addition to the theme parks such as Doraemon Wakuwaku Sky Park and Hello Kitty Happy Flight, it is one of the few airports in Japan that also has spacious hot spring facilities. There are also international flights connecting this airport to various other parts of the world, such as Russia, South Korea, China and Singapore.
  • Otaru Taisho Glass Palace
    rating-image
    4.0
    194 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Otarushi Ironai 1-1-8
    Approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Otaru Station, this shop was repurposed from the historical Natori Takasaburo Store built in 1906. Inside the shop are displays of Japanese style glass works made in Otaru City which are available for purchase. Nearby are a series of shops including the Vidro-Kan with its collection of miniature glass and the Tonbo Tama-Kan that features a workshop to try out glass production.

    Located in The Former Takasabuto Natori Store, the building is one of the designated historic landmarks of Otaru City. Now occupied by the Otaru Taisho Glass Palace, this place is filled with...

  • Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center
    rating-image
    4.0
    126 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Notsukegumbetsukaichou Notsuke 63
    The Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center presents information about the natural environment and history of the Notsuke Peninsula, Japan’s largest sand-spit. There are photographs of the wild bird species that are seen on the Peninsula, including the White-tailed Sea Eagle and Japanese Red-crowned Crane, and the plant species that grow there, as well as an area outlining the history and prehistory of the region. On the First Floor, visitors can try milk and soft-serve ice cream produced locally in the Bekkai district. The Nature Center is around 50 minutes’ drive from Nakashibetsu Airport. Between May and the end of October, the Nature Center can also be reached easily by tourist boat from Odaito Pond.

    This centre is located facing the Notsuke Bay which was frozen when were there recently. It has a nice souvenir shop and a small museum on the first floor over looking the bay. There are no English...

  • Shirogane Blue Pond
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Kamikawagumbieichou Shirogane
    Depending on the time of year and the angle that you view it from, the water of Shirogane Blue Pond may appear either blue or green. Surrounded by ancient trees (including Japanese Larch), and with the sunlight creating magical effects on the water’s surface, this is a very popular place for taking photos. In winter, the Pond is illuminated, creating an even more mysterious effect. The Pond receives very large numbers of visitors on weekends and during the Golden Week (roughly April 29 to early May) holiday period, so it’s best to allow yourself plenty of time to get there.
  • Goro's Stone House
    rating-image
    4.0
    160 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Furanoshi Higashirokugou
    Goro’s Stone House is the house built by Goro Kuroita, the main character in the TV drama series “Kita no Kuni Kara” (“From the North Country”). In the TV series, Goro builds a house by clearing some of the many stones from Mt. Furano (formerly an active volcano) that were littering the fields. This is the house that Goro and his family were shown living in initially; the fireplace and stone bath have been preserved in the same condition as when the series was first being filmed in the 1980s.

    Goros stone house is far from the city. You need to drive more the 40 minutes to reach there. It is not convenience to take public transport. Ideal transport is self drive. The attraction is at...

  • Otaru Canal
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Otarushi Minatomachi
    Otaru Port played an important role as a gateway in the development of Hokkaido. During the late Taisho period small boats called “barges” were used to unload ships, but as the amount of cargo increased, the “Otaru Canal” was constructed so the barges could enter the warehouses directly. There are 63 gas lamps along the cobbled pathway and at night the lights create a nostalgic atmosphere. The warehouses along the canal are wooden frame and stone constructions kept in their original state, currently used as restaurants, etc.
  • Roadside Station Mashu Onsen
    rating-image
    4.0
    151 Reviews
    Transportation
    Hokkaido Kawakamigunteshikagachou Yunoshima 3-5-5
    This roadside station is located along National Route 241 in Yunoshima in Teshikaga-cho. It provides information about attractions in Teshikaga-cho, lodging, hot springs and transportation. There are also two computers that you can freely use. In addition, there is a gallery, pamphlet corner and rest corner, making it a place where tourists can relax. In the special product sales corner for Teshikaga, there are products rooted in the local community such as sweets made locally and works by local artists. There is also a simple alkaline foot bath on the premises, giving you a place to heal the wear from your travels.

    Clean and effificient and the same as all the other roadside service areas. Good coffee available plus usual souvenirs.

  • Manabe Garden
    rating-image
    4.0
    173 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Obihiroshi Inadachou East 2-6
    A garden of approximately 79,000 square meters open to the public which is also a farm importing, producing and selling trees, operated by “Manabe Garden Nurseries”. It is well-known for its production of conifers, unusual in Japan. The garden has three differently themed areas—a European garden, a Japanese garden and a landscaped garden for you to stroll around. We hope you enjoy the scenery which is as magical as if you were lost in a fairytale land.

    Big garden with many varieties of plants and trees. Typical Japanese landscape including a children playground . Cafe is nicely decorated.

  • Shiretoko Sightseeing Ship
    rating-image
    4.0
    135 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shari-cho Shari-gun, Hokkaido Utoro-e 107
    The Shiretoko Sightseeing Boat operates daily from the end of April to the end of October. The primitive landscape seen from the ship is an exceptional view. Due to its large size the ship is stable and does not rock so much. You can enjoy the scenery leisurely from either a non-reserved seat on the first floor or a reserved seat on the second floor, but the observation deck is recommended if you want to take great photos. It is about 50 minutes by bus from JR Shiretoko Shari Station. It takes about two hours by car from Memanbetsu Airport.

    We booked a trip to the tip of the Shiretoko Peninsula during the GW. On the day of the departure waves were too high and the trip was changed to thei Kamuiwakka Falls instead. We decided to go on...

  • Otaru Canal Plaza (Otaru City Tourist Information Center)
    rating-image
    4.0
    153 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Otarushi Ironai 2-1-20
    This tourist information center in Otaru City is located in an old warehouse which has been designated a historic building. At the information center you can find tourist information and pamphlets about the Otaru-Shiribeshi area. There is also a tea area and a shopping area with local goods. A multipurpose gallery is available for meetings and exhibitions.

    We paid a brief visit to the tourist information facility (Unga Plaza) that occupies the southern section of the warehouse complex where the museum Ungakan is in. Here you can pick up maps and other...

  • MT. MOIWA ROPEWAY
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Sapporoshi Chuou-ku Fushimi 5-3-7
    This aerial tram traverses directly into the center of Mt. Moiwa from where a spectacular view of Sapporo's night scape can be seen. The glassed-in gondolas hold up to 66 passengers, yet a panoramic view of the virgin woodlands, downtown Sapporo, and even as far as Ishikari Bay can be seen during the day, making for an exhilarating 'walk through the air.' The scenic night view of Sapporo, selected as one of Japan's new top 3 cities for night views, is also recommended. One can transfer onto the Maurice car to proceed to the peak of Mt. Moiwa.
  • Lake Mashu First Observation Deck
    rating-image
    4.5
    61 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Kawakamigunteshikagachou
    Lake Mashu, which is located in Teshikaga, Kawakami District, Hokkaido, has some of the clearest water in the world, with a unique blue tint that has come to be known as “Mashu Blue”; it is a very popular tourist attraction. Lake Mashu is often covered with dense fog; tourists from all over Japan flock to the Lake to experience its mysterious beauty during the brief periods when the fog lifts. Of the three observation decks around the Lake, the First Observation Deck is the most widely used; it provides excellent views of Lake Mashu, Kamuishu Island in the middle of the Lake, and the imposing mountains that surround the Lake. There is a rest house where visitors can buy snacks and local specialty products.

    訪れた日は風が強くて怖いくらいでしたが、とても綺麗に晴れ渡った摩周湖を眺めることができました。 遠くは知床半島の山々まで見渡せました。

  • Otaru Music Box Museum Hall Number 2 Antique Museum
    rating-image
    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.

  • Roadside Station Nakasatsunai
    rating-image
    4.0
    135 Reviews
    Transportation
    Hokkaido Kasaigunnakasatsunaimura Odoriminami 7
    This roadside station is located at the junction of National Route 236 and the Shimizu-Taiki line of the Hokkaido Prefectural Route at the entrance to Minami Tokachi Kanko. The country plaza adjacent to a parking lot has an information facility introducing agriculture and attractions of Nakasatsunai, and restaurants with menus using fresh local ingredients. In addition, there are also facilities such as a takeout corner with fresh local vegetables, processed goods and curry, and a Pioneer Memorial with exhibitions of old clothing and toys. As an attached facility, you can also enjoy learning at the Beans Museum built on the relocated and restored former Potato Foundation Seed Farm.

    例えば豚丼とか¥500で地元の高校生や子供連れのお母さんがベンチで食べたり持ち帰ったりする、ずば抜けて美味しいとは言えなくてもどれも十分満足できる味でした。有名店で並ぶならここで十分かと思います。十勝観光で時間がない、気軽に済ませたないなら五つ星。

Hokkaido Areas

around-area-map

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.

Hokkaido Photo Album

Browse Interests