Central Hokkaido is the political and economic hub of this prefecture.
The capital of Hokkaido, Sapporo,
is located here as well as the port cities of Otaru and Muroran.
The major airport of this prefecture is located in Chitose approximately
50 minutes by train from Sapporo. The area has beautiful parks, wildlife
areas, ski & snow board mountains and
large hot spring (“Onsen” ) areas.
Built in 1878 as a drill hall for the Sapporo
Agricultural College, it is a two story
American style wooden structure housing a clock. Although now dwarfed
by the surrounding buildings it is never the less constantly surrounded
by Japanese tourists all year round and is the symbol of Sapporo.
Renovated in 1998 to house a small museum of local history, it
is reported that the Boston made 19th century clock had been so
well maintained that not only needed no restoration
work but also that the clock has never been late in tolling the
hour. Top
Included in many tourist bus trips this observation area is not
the greatest highlight of Sapporo but does offer a nice general view
to the city. There is a famous statue of Dr William S. Clark the
founder of Hokkaido University and opened in January 2001the Sapporo
Snow Festival Information Hall. For those who are thinking of getting
married there is also a chapel which is situated in a nice setting
near the fields of sheep. Top
Admission
High School and above ¥500
Junior High and under ¥300
Opening Hours
9 am to 5 pm daily : October to May
9 am to 9 pm daily : June to September
Originally constructed approximately 110 years ago as a fire barrier
between the northern and southern ends of Sapporo city when all buildings
were made of wood. It is about 100 meters wide, 12 blocks long and
marks the center of the city. Odori is the host area of many of Sapporo's
events and festivals including the Yuki Matsuri, the Yasokoi Dance
Festival and the Sapporo Beer Festival. (Event
Calendar) In the summer months the parks is a mecca for tired
office workers and the general public wanting to relax and soak up
some sun during Hokkaido's beautiful summer months. The park is changed
seasonally and will be adorned in flowers and shrubs during the summer
months and covered with lights during the winter months. Use Odori
Subway Station exits numbers 3 and 4 to put yourself in the middle
of the park. Top
Admission
-
Opening Hours
-
Closed
-
Getting There
-
Phone
-
Sapporo - Hokkaido Old
Government Building and the Hokkaido Archives
This red brick neo-baroque western style building was the headquarters
of the “Kaitakushi” or
the Colonial Development Office. This department was responsible
for the development and expansion of the Hokkaido region during the
Meji era. Inside the building visitors are allowed to wander freely
through almost all parts of the building. In several of the second
floor rooms the Hokkaido Archives are housed. This archive consists
of various fossils found in the Hokkaido region, tools and artifacts
from the native Ainu tribes and various paintings, photographs and
historical documents on the development of Hokkaido. Unfortunately
there are very few explanations and signs for the exhibits in English.
The building is also surrounded by a beautiful garden, which is almost
always occupied by various artists. Top
Otaru Glassware is also well known throughout Japan and has had
a long history. The glassworks originally made lanterns and other
products for the first settlers in the region however, as the town
expanded and the herring industry sprang to life the focus was changed
to making glass buoys. When the herring industry suffered its major
decline in the late 1950s the glassworks began producing ornamental
pieces for direct sale to consumers and tourists. Today Otaru's glass
industry is thriving and many beautiful pieces are on display for
pleasure and sale. Some major glassworks are the Kitaichi Glassworks,
the Otaru Unga Kogeikan, "The Glass Ship" Warehouse and the Kitaichi
Venetian Art Museum. It is possible to “make your own” glass
item in some of the glassworks such as ‘The Glass Studio’ and
the ‘Otaru Unga Kogeikan’. If you wish to make your own
item it is best to make a reservation, especially in summer if you
have many people in your group. Top
Admission
Most glassworks are free entry.
To make your own glass item prices vary from about ¥500 to ¥2000.
Opening Hours
Most shops are open 9 : 30 am to 6 pm (a little
later in summer)
Closed
-
Getting There
Most Glassworks are located near the canal area
along Ironai dori. From Otaru Station walk toward the bay.
About 10 min.
Phone
Kitaichi Glassworks 0134 - 33 - 1993
The Glass Studio 0134 - 33 - 9390
Otaru Unga Kogei-kan 0134 - 29 - 1111
Hokkaido
is one of the premier areas in Japan to go whale and dolphin watching.
Muroran is well situated to view the whales on their annual migration
through Volcano Bay. There are plenty of sightseeing boats available
during the the summer months from about the end of April to the middle
of August. Top
Admission
Tours for adults start at about ¥5000
Tours for minors start at about ¥2500
With one of Japan’s largest bath complexes and the oldest
hotel in the Noboribetsu area Daiichi Takimotokan is a hot spring
lovers delight. First established
in 1858, the complex now has more than half a dozen modern buildings.
Contained within these buildings are various mineral pools, waterfalls,
walking pools, cold pools, steam room, and a swimming pool with slide.
There are seven different kinds of mineral pools and outdoor and
indoor pools.Top
Admission
Hotel Guests Free of Charge
Non-Hotel Guests - ¥2 000
Opening Hours
Hotel Guests Open 24hrs.
Non-Hotel Guests - 9 am to 5 pm Daily
Jigokudani or "Hell Valley", is a large crater that was
formed by Kuttara volcano about 200,000 years ago. It is 450 meters
in diameter and is surrounded by red stone cliffs. Hot steam vents
and sulfurous streams pour out from the sides of this red valley
area giving it a very hell like appearance. This area is one of the
major sources for the Noboribetsu hot springs. There are 11 types
of springs and water temperatures can reach more than 100°C.
The valley also has many hiking trails through it (and a road) and
along one of these trails (also possible to drive to) is the sulfurous
pond Oyunuma. There are also some smaller
even hotter mud pools nearby. Top
Admission
If driving the parking areas for Hell Valley
and Oyunuma Marsh cost ¥410. Keep your ticket as one ticket
will get you entry to both parking areas.
Opening Hours
-
Closed
-
Getting There
Catch the bus from Noboribetsu Station to the
hot spring area. Then follow the hiking trails for about 2
min to Hell Valley and about 15 min. to Oyunuma Marsh or 10
min. by car.
The
Ainu are the native inhabitants of Hokkaido and there are a few museums
in Hokkaido showing some of their lifestyle and goods. The Shiraoi
Ainu Museum, also called Porotokotan, exhibits the Ainu culture and
lifestyle in an outdoor reproduction of a small Ainu village and
also various tools and other goods inside a museum. There are performances
of traditional Ainu dances held at various times
throughout the day. Top
Admission
-
Opening Hours
-
Closed
-
Getting There
From Noboribetsu, Shiraoi Town is five stations
east by local train. A one way journey takes about 30 min.
and costs ¥350. N.B. - There is only one train about every
one to two hours. The museum is a 10-15 minute walk east from
JR Shiraoi Station.
Phone
-
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English
The
Ainu are the native inhabitants of Hokkaido and there are a few museums
in Hokkaido showing some of their lifestyle and goods. The Shiraoi
Ainu Museum, also called Porotokotan, exhibits the Ainu culture and
lifestyle in an outdoor reproduction of a small Ainu village and
also various tools and other goods inside a museum. There are performances
of traditional Ainu dances held at various times
throughout the day. 
