| Admission | Free |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-221-1084 |
| Notes | Shinto Shrine, sightseeing spot, photography spot, available for weddings |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Sapporo. It's a 2 minute walk from 'Bus Centre Mae' subway station (Orange line), take exit 6 and walk south one block. 〒060-0052 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 2 Johigashi, 3 Chome−１０ |
Hokkaido Shrine Tongu was built in 1891. It is not to be confused with Hokkaido Shrine, which can be found Maruyama Park, though the two are related. Hokkaido Shrine (also known as Sapporo Shrine) was built in Maruyama Park, but during the winter this proved to be difficult to access up in the hills. For this reason, Hokkaido Shrine Tongu was constructed closer to the center of town at that time, allowing easier access to the people. 130 years later, this shrine is still a convenient place to get to. It is not a far walk from Nijo Ichiba Seafood Market, or Sapporo TV Tower.
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Smaller than its larger brother, this shrine is still a popular spot to visit in any season. It has a couple of nice cherry blossom tress at its entrance in the spring and the autumn leaves can be seen during the fall. The shrine serves as an inn for the portable shrine that comes out in June during the annual Sapporo Festival. This shrine can be hired for wedding ceremonies, with five different available. Seating ranges from 18 to 108 seats. To enquire about weddings, you can contact them on the number above. The shrine offers different prayers and blessings. They have health, family safety, car, construction safety, house blessings to name a few. New Year prayers are also available. There is a monthly festival on the 1st of every month. For other events, see below!
| January 1 | End of year festival (Saitansai) |
| January 14 | Kojinfuda Yaki Festival |
| February (the day before spring) | Spring, bean throwing festival (Setsubun) |
| May 1 | Memorial service for the deceased |
| June 14 | Tongu Shrine festival (Sapporo festival) |
| June 16 | Tongu Relocation Festival (Sapporo Festival) |
| June 30 | The Great Shrine of Kaetsu and the Family Safety Prayer Festival |
| September (the day before the third Sunday) | Tonnomiya evening festival |
| September (3rd Sunday) | Tongu annual festival |
| November 17 | Tongu Shrine Dedication Memorial Festival |
| December 31 | Exorcism of shrine run and night festival |
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| Opening Hours | 9:30 - 18:00 |
| Closed | – |
| Contact | 0134-31-6566 http://www.tanzawa-net.co.jp/shop/02.html |
| Notes | Glass goods, sightseeing spot, souvenir store, coffee store, historical site, wheelchair access |
| Location / Getting There | Located in Otaru on Sakaimachi street. The street is down near the harbor. It is a 18 minute walk down from Otaru station. From Sapporo station, take the JR line to Otaru. 1-25 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027 |
Otaru Romankan is a fantastic place to visit. It is a souvenir and glass store and is a popular building for tourists and locals alike. The building itself is a point of interest and has its own history. Originally, the building was a bank that was constructed far back in the Meiji period in 1908. Walking around the store, the floorboards creak and there is a great atmosphere created with ambient lighting. The store is full of crafted accessories and glass trinkets. A good spot to pick up a gift for friends or for yourself.
The store also sells Christmas themed accessories all year round. Otaru Romankan is located along the famous Sakaimachi Street which is near Otaru Canal. This store serves not only as a shopping spot but also as a historical site. Once inside, you can not only enjoy the antique furniture and wares, but you can also find a small coffee shop, Cafe Deco. What a great spot to enjoy a coffee, in beautiful warm surroundings. And it’s even better, especially during the winter months! So, while in Otaru, drop in for some shopping and a lot of history at Otaru Romankan.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | From the middle of May to the end of October 9:00 - 16:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-598-2513 Jozankei Dam museum http://jozankei.jp/en/jozankei-dam/288 |
| Notes | Free parking Car needed |
| Location / Getting There | 061-2302 Sapporo, Hokkaido , Minami-ku Jozankei 8 10 minute drive from Jozankei |
Jozankei Dam is a great sightseeing spot. Completed in 1989 and measuring at 117 metres, it offers fantastic views over Lake Sapporo and down the river in which it feeds into. Not only does Jozankei Dam have great views, but it also has a museum that is free to enter. The museum displays diorama models of the dams construction, has historical pictures and panels of the local area, and videos and exhibits detailing the electricity system. You will need access to your own transport to get there, though if you are a bit more adventurous, its a good walk from the central onsen district of Jozankei.
There is plenty of parking at the dam if you are driving. There is a trail that leads down to the bottom of the dam which makes for a pleasant walk through the trees and park areas. It makes for a great spot for a picnic, a spot of lunch or to view the autumn leaves in season. The trail to Mt. Kotengu can also be found here. The whole area of Jozankei is nice spot to drive or walk around. While in the area, there is not only Jozankei dam, but also the Ainu Culture Museum, Hakkenzan Winery, Nishiki bridge, as well as all the Onsens!
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 18:00 |
| Closed | – |
| Contact | 0134-27-3371 http://rop-japan.com/ |
| Notes | Gem stone store, no parking |
| Location / Getting There | The store is located near Otaru Canal and is part of the shopping and tourist area. It's a 9 minute walk from the canal. 4-17 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027 |
Throughout Otaru, there are plenty of unique boutiques selling arts and crafts, among other things. At Powerstone, they sell thousands of gem stones that are ideal to decorate the home, or for those who are interested in, or believe in the energy from these stones. This unique store can be found near the harbor along the main tourist area of Sakaimachi street. The idea behind these stones is that everything has a natural vibration, such as the earth, trees, water and stones, and these have power spots that give out a specific energy.
Throughout history these sacred stones have long believed to be amulets. The stones are said to purify and balance our mind, which can influence people and the environment. The stones come in a variety of choices such as birth stones, or constellation stones, or simply choose the color that you like. At the store there is a color guide of what each stone represents which can help make your choice, whether for yourself or as a gift. Whether or not you believe in power stones, they make for a great piece of jewelry or for an ornament to decorate the home.
| Area | Size 78.4 km² Depth 363 m |
| Things to see | Jozankei Dam |
| Notes | Scenic drive, photography spot, toilets at lake, observation deck, parking available |
| Getting There | The lake is a 50 minute drive from central Sapporo. Head south taking Route 230 heading towards Jozankei. Turn right onto Route 1 just before the town of Jozankei, and head along the 'Otaru Jozankei Road'. This winding road leads to the lake. Jozankei, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2301 |
If you are looking for a nice scenic drive, Lake Sapporo is only an hour away from the central Sapporo. The lake is actually an artificial lake that was formed with the construction of Jozankei Dam in 1989. The drive up crosses over the dam and the winding road has beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The lake has two observation points with ample parking plus toilet facilities. These observation decks offer relaxing views over the lake and are a good spot to get some photos in any season, especially during the autumn and winter.
Besides the views at this peaceful spot, the lake is popular for canoeing and you can also find the occasional fisherman standing at its banks. During the summer, rainbow trout, whitespotted char, and ito fish (an east asian fish from the salmon family) are game to be caught. During the winter, Japanese pond smelt can be found. There are walking paths down to the water from the car parking and if you bring a packed lunch, there are some nice spots to sit and eat. For a nice day out, the drive around the lake is a scenic one, in any season!
| Opening Hours | All day |
| Contact | 011-598-2012 |
| Notes | Autumn leaves viewing spot, parking nearby for 20, photography spot |
| Location / Getting There | This bridge is in Jozankei. It's a 15 minute walk or a 3 minute drive from central Jozankei. From Sapporo it's a 45 minute drive. Take route 230 and it's a right hand turn off from this road. 1 Chome-61 Jozankeionsenhigashi, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2302 |
The town of Jozankei is up in the mountains outside of Sapporo. There are numerous rivers that run through and by it. This landscape makes for some really beautiful scenic spots. The Nishiki Bridge and Maizuru no Toro water pool is one of these locations. The bridge is quite small but it crosses a small gorge that offers a nice view that overlooks Toyohira river. The view is especially stunning during the Autumn. The trees overhang the river and the autumn leaves are reflected in the water creating a kaleidoscope of color. Even during the winter, it is a stunning view.
To get to the bridge you will need a car if coming from Sapporo. There is nowhere to stop and park on the bridge but there is a small parking area just past it. The drive into Jozankei takes about forty five minutes. For those who are staying in the town of Jozankei, it is about a twenty minute walk from the very centre of town. This makes for a nice peaceful stroll where you can take in the views of the mountains and rivers. The river pool, which is part of the river here, is a popular spot for people to canoe along and on occasion you can see people enjoying the water.