| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥660 - ¥770 per drink ¥1000 food |
| Opening Hours | 19:00 - 03:00 |
| Closed | Sundays |
| Contact | 011-1520-6610 |
| Notes | Bar, no sit down charge, smoking, seating 15, seafood, sake, shochu, no parking, take out available, Japanese menu only |
| Location / Getting There | The bar is located in central Susukino, Sapporo. It is a 3 minute walk from Susukino subway station. The bar is in a small alley just off Susukino Minami Nakadori 3 Chome-6-17 Minami 6 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0806 |
The Iruka Bar is a great little place in Susukino, Sapporo. The name ‘Iruka’ means dolphin in Japanese. This bar has that cool, dark, laid back, smokey feel to it. The staff and the owner are very friendly and welcoming. This place seems to be a hidden popular go to place for the locals, especially for those who want to unwind after a day at work. The background jazz music really adds to the atmosphere. It is a small place, and it is a smoking establishment, so be warned for those who don’t want to be in a smoky bar.
The bar is best for drinking alone, couples, and only small groups as there are only a couple of small tables and a counter. The menu, is only in Japanese. This bar is popular for its extensive sake list. There are many different kinds of shochu here as well to enjoy. And what goes well with sake? Seafood. If you love oysters, Iruka has some large oysters that can be had raw, or cooked. Both are delicious! For around ¥500, you can also enjoy other seafood dishes, plus pickled dishes, chicken, and noodles. They have a take out option as well! This is a great bar to check out. It’s down a small alleyway, and up a narrow flight of stairs.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥600 per drink ¥500 sit down charge |
| Opening Hours | 20:00 - 03:00 |
| Closed | Mondays |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Bar, sit down charge, no parking |
| Location / Getting There | The bar is located in central Susukino, Sapporo. It is a 3 minute walk south down the main road from Susukino subway station. Take elevator to the 9th floor. Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo-ku, Minami 6 Jonishi, 3-chome, New Olympia Building 9F |
Bar Lit 9 is a cool little bar located in downtown Susukino, Sapporo. It is in the New Olympia building, on the 9th floor. It is run by the super friendly owner, Kaori. She is always happy to have a chat and to keep the good times flowing. There is a large counter area as well as a few tables that can fit up to four people. This bar opened in 2021 and due to the popularity of the owner, it has its regulars who come in to enjoy the atmosphere. At the bar you can find an array of cocktails plus beer on tap.
As with most establishments in the area, there is a sit down charge of ¥500. This place is good for any situation, whether you are on your own, on a date, or with a group of friends. There is an all you can drink option which is great for parties. The bar is quite easy to find. On the main street that runs down the center of Susukino, look for a bar called Bar España. There is an entrance to the elevator next to this bar. Take the elevator to the 9th floor and Bar Lit 9 is around the corner. Their door is always open which is a plus when deciding on a bar to go. Pop your head in and have a drink. It’s a fun place!
| Admission | ¥480 - Adults ¥250 - Highschool Students ¥120 - Children *Free for seniors |
| Opening Hours | 8: 30 - 18: 00 April-September 9: 00 - 17: 00 October-March |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 015-456-2424 |
| Notes | Museum, wheelchair access, lockers available, parking 108 cars, souvenir store, toilets, restaurant |
| Location / Getting There | The museum is to the north west of Kushiro city on route 53. It's 30 minutes by car from JR Kushiro Station (Akan Bus: Tsurui Line), or it's about 18 minutes by car from Kushiro Airport. 6-11 Hokuto, Kushiro, Hokkaido 084-0922 |
Perched at the top of a large hill, overlooking Kushiro Marsh, you can find the Kushiro Marsh Observatory. This is one of the most interesting buildings in Hokkaido. The exterior, and especially the interior, has a strange and unique design and is reminiscent of a cool sci-fi movie. The central hall of the museum is definitely a place to get some photos. This museum is a good spot to appreciate the surrounding wetlands, known as Kushiro Wetland. On the rooftop of the building, there is an observation deck where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the marshland, the city of Kushiro, and the mountains of Akan.
Inside the museum there are various exhibits of the surrounding landscape and the local animals of the wetlands. There aren’t a lot of these exhibits but they have some interesting information of the local area. Admission is free for the first floor. It is here you can find a souvenir shop and a restaurant. The second floor has an exhibition area and from this stage on, you have to pay to enter. There is an elevator that reaches the rooftop. Around the museum, there are walking paths that lead into the marshlands of Kushiro. The Marsh Observatory is definitely worth a stop in if you are in the area.
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-5523-3955 |
| Notes | |
| Location / Getting There | The shrine is a 24 minute walk north from Obihiro station, or a 7 minute drive by car. Obihiro Shrine is right by Obihiro river, and is accessed via route 38. East 2 South 2. From Obihiro Station Bus Terminal Station No.8, take the Tokachi bus (No.7) on the 'Water Line Higashi 13' (Obihiro City). From the General Promotion Bureau stop it's a 2 minute walk. 〒080-0803 Hokkaido, Obihiro, Higashi 3 Jominami, 2 Chome, 1 |
In 1881, a man named Benzo Yoda and others from Shizuoka Prefecture organized a pioneer group called the “Bansei-sha”. This group and settled inShimo-Obihiro Village and started pioneering. During this time, they started holding festivals and later built a small shrine, though the connection with the current Obihiro Shrine is still not well known. In March 1909, a town meeting was held and five members decided to relocate and build the Obihiro Shrine. Over the past hundred years, this shrine has developed, been renovated and welcomed thousands of worshippers.
The shrine is located by the Obihiro River and although the buses don’t run that often, it is in a walkable distance. Once inside the grounds, there are many things to see besides the main shrine. There are numerous shrines and buildings. The area is also rich in greenery and the land was designated as an environmental green space protection area in Hokkaido in 1974. The grounds are also home to many small animals and wild birds such as Ezo squirrels, chipmunks, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and starlings to name a few. This area has some statues and is a good spot for photos. At the shrine, you can buy souvenirs and charms to take home. Throughout the year there are many festivals held. For more detail see below.
| 1st and 15th of every month | Prayers for the safety of the Imperial Family, peace for the nation, and peace for the Urahoro worshippers. |
| January 1 | New Years Day. Prayer for the safety of the Imperial Family, peace for the nation, and a good harvest for the year. |
| January 15 | The burning of old Shinto prayer cards and charms. Prayer for good health. On the day before the first day of spring, there is the purification the evil spirits. The doors of the main shrine are opened to offer thanks to the Milk God and prayer for spring. |
| June 30 | Grand purification ceremony and Nagoshi-no-harai (summer purification). A Shinto ritual to purge the sins and impurities of the past six months and pray for good health. |
| August | On the evening before the last Sunday of the month, There is the summer portable shrine procession festival (Mikoshi & Yoimiya Festival). The portable shrine is purified the night before the main festival, and the gods are notified that the big festival will be held tomorrow. On the last Sunday of the month, the portable shrine will be paraded through the town to pray for the safety of each family and the prosperity of each company. |
| September 20 | Autumn Grand Festival Prayers and dedication events are held for the Ujigami (local deity), which has been handed down from the pioneers. The doors of the main shrine are opened to offer thanks to the Goddess of Milk and pray for the autumn. The god of the land and the god of agriculture are invited to give thanks for the year's harvest and to pray for the safety. Prayers are offered to the gods for the healthy growth of children who are three, five, and seven years old. Prayers are offered for the harvest and labor to the gods of the 24 shrines in Urahoro Town. |
| December 31 | New Year's Eve Purification Ceremony and Nightfall Festival is held to purify the sins and impurities of the year from the body and soul using dolls, and to pray for good health in the New Year. |
| December 30 to January 5 | The shrine grounds are illuminated. |
| Admission | ¥480 - Adults ¥250 - Highschool Students ¥110 - Children |
| Opening Hours | 9:30 - 17:00 |
| Closed | Mondays |
| Contact | 0154-41-5809 |
| Notes | Museum, wheelchair access, free wifi, lockers available, events held throughout the year, wheelchair & stroller rental |
| Location / Getting There | The museum is a 40 minute walk from Kushiro station or a 15 minute drive.. For public transport from Kushiro Station bus terminal No.3 (bus 16 Shirakaba Harutori Shopping Center Line, 17 Shirakaba Akira Danchi Line) or No. 11 (bus 2 Wakakusa Danchi Line, 12 Fumizono Koju Line (for Midorigaoka), 55 Nanboku Line (2nd) Please take the bus from (to Wakakusa housing complex)). The nearest bus stop to the museum is the "Municipal Hospital". It takes about 10 to 15 minutes from Kushiro Station to the city hospital bus stop. ¥220 yen one way. (As of October 1, 2021) 1-7 Shunkodai, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0822 |
The history of the Kushiro City Museum dates far back to 1936. Originally, an exhibition room was set up as the “Kushiro City Folk Museum” on the second floor of the Kushiro City Hall Waterworks Construction Office. Over the decades, the location changed and finally on November 3rd, 1983, the “Kushiro City Museum” was born. The building was designed by a local arhcitect, Kiko Mozuna. His award winning design was designed to represent a red-crowned crane with its wings spread out. The museum is home to 4100 exhibits and objects.
The exhibitions at the museum incorporate flora and fauna from the Kushiro area. There is a permanent Ainu exhibition here also which is fascinating. This is one of the best museums in Hokkaido as the exhibits are first class and very well presented with great detail. There is information in multiple languages and there is plenty of space to walk around at your leisure. The museum is four floors and there is a huge amount of information to learn from the earliest archaeological findings to the current wild life of Kushiro. This museum is a must visit for those visiting Kushiro and are interested in history.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours |
| Contact | 011-5521-3172 |
| Notes | Large park, playground, walking paths, park golf, event space, museum, jogging spot, picnic area, free parking available |
| Location / Getting There | The park is in central Obihiro. The park is an 18 minute walk from Obihiro station or a 6 minute drive. Simply head straight down 'Koen Odori Avenue'. 〒080-0846 Hokkaido, Obihiro, Midorigaoka, 2 |
This massive park is located in the middle of the city of Obihiro. Stretching to 50 hectares, this comprehensive park contains a park golf course, the Obihiro Zoo and the Obihiro Centennial Hall, plus walking trails and a pond. Midorigaoka Park has many different sections to it. One area is the ‘Green Park’ is a huge mowed lawn for people to enjoy. It is lined by a bench, but not just any bench. The bench here runs for 400 meters! Plenty of space to find a seat. beyond this large green space is a large stage used for events. Plus there is a park golf course as well.
You can find many of Obihiro’s older residents enjoy the park golf course. Past this is the Obihiro Centennial Hall, which serves as a museum and gallery for the local area. Near here there are winding paths that run through the park with sculptures and benches to enjoy. There is also a large pond. here you can rent out small row boats and have a paddle. Further on is the entrance to to zoo. This park, is not too far a walk from the station and if you have time is a top spot to visit in any season. In spring, the cherry blossoms are out and the autumn leaves are equally beautiful.
