Shirogane Waterfall

Admission-
Opening HoursOpen 24 hours
Contact-
NotesSightseeing spot , Parking available, Rest rooms available
Location /
Getting There
Located along coastal road, route 231. West cost on Ishikari Bay. 1 hour 30 minute drive from Sapporo
Hamamasuku Ofuyu, Ishikari, Hokkaido 077-0351

 

White Silver Waterfall

On the west coast of Hokkaido, from Ishikari bay all the way up, to Rumoi and up further to the north of Hokkaido, there is a beautiful coastal drive that you can take. The coastal road on route 231, winds its way along, hugging the cliffs with the ocean lapping at its side. Along the way, there are plenty of places to stop and take a break. The Shiragane Falls, translated to the ‘White Silver Waterfall’ is one of these spots, where you can take a break, stretch the legs and take a look at the waterfall as it spills its way into the ocean below.


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Relaxing spot

The falls are found at Cape Ofuyu and measure at thirty meters. In November 1977, Route 231 was opened, and to celebrate this achievement a monument was built. The monument can be found here at the Shiragane Waterfall. There is free parking available here, and the entrance can be found just after coming out of the Yutosu Tunnel (if coming from the Sapporo direction). The name meaning ‘White Silver’ is said to come from the silver splash that is reflected in the sunlight. It is a nice little spot, as the waterfall flows on one side, and the ocean can be found on the other.

 

 

Ai Road Yuhinooka Rest Stop

あいロード夕日の丘観光案内所

Pricing Guide
(Avg. cost per person)
-
Opening Hours9:00 - 19:00
ClosedDepending on season
Contact0133-78-2000
NotesRest stop, Free coffee,
Lunch boxes available, Coastal views, Rest rooms
Location /
Getting There
Found on the Ishikari coastal road, route 231. It's a 1 hour drive from Sapporo.
12-4 Atsutaku Atsuta, Ishikari-shi, Hokkaidō 061-3601

 

Pull up a seat and enjoy the view

Ishikari Bay which is on the west coast of Hokkaido, and is a part of the Sea of Japan, is a treasured spot to take a coastal drive along route 231. The road bends and twists as it follows the coastline and there is a lot to see along the way. The Ai Road Yuhinooka Information Centre is halfway up the coast and its the perfect spot to pull in and take a rest. It is on the right hand side approaching the hill crest. There are usually more than a few motorbikes in the parking lot as the 231 is a great ride for touring.


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あいロード夕日の丘観光案内所

Seafood lunch set

The small building and porch offers views over the bay, and the views of the sunsets here are particularly stunning. There are a couple of photography spots to get some photos. Inside, they have quaint seafood lunch box sets that are available to purchase. Also, there is ice cream and drinks. The best part, though, is that this rest stop offers free coffee! There are benches and tables to sit and eat and enjoy the sea breeze. Across the road is the recently built ‘Airodo Atsuta Rest Stop’ and although this newer, larger building is more frequented, the Ai Road Yuhinooka, is a great little place to check out.



Shiroi Koibito Park

AdmissionFree
Opening Hours9:00 - 18:00
Closed-
Contact011-666-1481
https://www.shiroikoibitopark.jp/
NotesChocolate factory, Chocolate shops,
Wheelchair access, Restaurant inside,
Free parking available for 130 cars
Location /
Getting There
By subway 7 minutes on foot : Get off subway at Tozai Line Miyanosawa Station ・ (about 20 minutes from Odori Station) on foot (7 minutes)
By bus 5 minutes on foot : From JR Sapporo Ekimae Bus Terminal (for Otaru) ・ Get off at "Nishimachi Kita 20-chome"
By car 25 minute drive from central Sapporo
2-chōme-11-36 Miyanosawa 2 Jō, Nishi-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 063-0052

 

白い恋人パーク

Famous staircase inside

If you like a bit of wonder and fantasy, then you will enjoy the ‘Shiroi Koibito Park’, and your kids will absolutely love it. Also known as the ‘Chocolate Factory’, it is has plenty of things to see, and to eat! The courtyard is free to enter and walk around, and inside the Tudor style buildings there are candy stores, chocolate shops, a factory tour and activities for the kids. A good day out for family & friends. Inside there is a candy making demonstration that starts at 10:00 with four to five demonstrations a day.


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白い恋人パーク

All aboard

Outside, on the hour every hour, is the “Chocolate Carnival”. This automated carnival sees a procession of characters parade around the clock tower with music and bubbles filling the courtyard. It’s a real fun part of the factory courtyard, which is popular in winter as well as winter. The public can also find the mini railway here. The replica mini steam engine takes up to thirty people and runs every 20 minutes. ¥300 for adults, and ¥200 for the kids will buy you a boarding pass for a 10 minute ride around the courtyard.


白い恋人パーク

Watch the candy making

Inside the ‘Shiroi Koibito’ buildings, there are tours you can go on. The general tour will put you back ¥600 per adult, and ¥300 per child. There are groups discounts for more than twenty people, and discounts for special needs. For the premium tour, the price is ¥900 more expensive. The tour gives a look at the Shiroi Koibito Chocolate (a famous Hokkaido chocolate brand) line. Other things to look at include the ‘Chocolate Room’ where you can make your own chocolate, the ‘Sweets Room’ where you can make your own cookies.




There is a lot to see

Also located in the Tudor house, on the second floor there is the ‘Kids Town’ aimed at children ages 0 to 8. It is here they can enjoy the play area. It costs ¥200 per person, every 30 minutes. There are plenty of places to grab a savory bite throughout the factory. Restaurants such as ‘Cafe Butlers Wharf’ serving up delicious quiche. Plus there is a hamburger restaurant. For curry, there is ‘Cafe Antorupo’, the ‘London Bus’ for snacks and a few ice cream shops dotted around the grounds. The shops at Shiroi Koibito park are perfect for buying sweets and gifts.



Outlook Restaurant Tengu

Pricing Guide
(Avg. cost per person)
¥900 - ¥1300
Opening Hours10:20 - 20:20 drinks
11:00 - 19:30 food
ClosedNov 5 - Nov 22
Contact0134-33-7381
NotesSeating 40, English menu available
Non smoking
Location /
Getting There
Take the Chuo (#9 天狗山ロープウエイ線) bus from Otaru station terminal, or Otaru canal terminal. Get off at "Tenguyama" (last stop).
Top of Mt. Tengu
2-chōme-16-16 Mogami, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0023

 

Plenty of seating to enjoy the view

The Outlook Restaurant is a top spot where you can enjoy beautiful views over the city of Otaru and the Sea of Japan. The restaurant is located at the top of Mt. Tengu. The mountain stands at 535 meters, and there is plenty to do and see there. Outlook Restaurant is the only place to enjoy a nice lunch, dinner, or a hot cup of tea or coffee while on Mt. Tengu. They have counter seating, plus table seating for small or large groups. The counter seats have great panoramic views.


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Fried Herring Set

The menu is in Japanese plus English. It is pictured so it is easy to order. Outlook Restaurant Tengu has some delicious Japanese dishes and some Western ones. They have a Hokkaido Potato Curry, a Fried Chicken Curry, and a delicious Fried Herring Rice Bowl just to name a few. For a more Western flavor, there are some pasta dishes, a Beef Stew with Naan bread, or a Sausage Set. The drink menu has tea, hot coffee, beer & wine (including a nice Otaru wine). And to finish off, Outlook Restaurant Tengu has an assortment of desserts to choose from.



Tengu Hall

AdmissionFree
Opening Hours9:30 - 21:00
Closed-
Contact0139-42-2216
NotesMuseum & gallery
Location /
Getting There
Access via Mt. Tengu Ropeway. Top of Mt. Tengu
2-chōme-16-16 Mogami, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0023

 

天狗山

Tengu masks

Tengu which translates to ‘Heavenly Dog’ is a legendary creature found in Japanese folklore. They are considered a supernatural being or god. Originally they were though to take the form of a bird of prey with human characteristics. The earliest Tengu were pictured with beaks, but today the Tengu are depicted with unnaturally long noses. Buddhism believe the tengu were disruptive demons and harbingers of war. Their image gradually softened, however, into one of protective, if still dangerous, spirits of the mountains and forests.


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天狗山

Otaru Ski Museum

Mt. Tengu is said to be protected by this deity. Tengu Hall is is a small exhibition space that has approximately 700 varieties of Tengu masks that have been collected from all around Japan. It can be found after exiting the gondola on top of the mountain. It is a fascinating spot to see all the different types of masks. To get to Tengu hall, enter Otaru Ski Museum. This museum is interesting in itself and has some 400 items on display, relating to the history of skiing in Japan. Otaru has known to have produced many professional skiers, who have long skied the slopes of Mt. Tengu



Mt. Tengu

Mt Tengu Ropeway¥1200 Adult round trip
¥600 Child round trip
*discount for groups of 20 or more
¥1500 Adults round trip ticket + ¥800 meal coupon:
Opening Hours9:30 - 21:00
Closed-
Contact0134-33-7381
NotesObservatory, gift shop, restaurants, hiking path,
Squirrel park, shrine, snow gallery,
Wheelchair access
Location /
Getting There
Take the Chuo (#9 天狗山ロープウエイ線) bus from Otaru station terminal, or Otaru canal terminal. Get off at "Tenguyama" (last stop). Takes about 15 minutes.
2-chōme-16-16 Mogami, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0023

 

Great views

At an altitude of 532 meters, Mt. Tengu is a symbolic mountain of Otaru. It offers beautiful views overlooking Otaru, and the Sea of Japan. The night view from the observatory is particular stunning. Mt. Tengu has a lot to see and do besides the fantastic view. They have a restaurant and coffee shop with panoramic views, a hiking area, a downhill sled ride, a shrine, a museum, and a squirrel enclosure. To get to the top, there is a ropeway that runs every twelve minutes from 9am until 8:48pm.


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“Tengu” of Japanese folklore

Once alighting the cablecar, you will first enter the gift shop and restaurant, where you can sit and have lunch, dinner or coffee. If you need lockers, there are a few here for ¥500 for the day, and which are cheaper than the lockers at the bottom of the mountain. It is here too, you can see the Otaru Winter Museum, and the Tengu Hall which has fantastic Tengu masks on display. Outside, there is “Nausea’s Tengu”, a giant Tengu sculpture, which if you touch the nose, your wishes will come true. Behind this is a squirrel enclosure (open only during the summer), and a shrine, known as “Tengusan Shrine”. The shrine in the evening is lit by lanterns and is especially beautiful during this time.




One of the observation points

Circling around the top of the mountain is a small hiking path. It takes about 25 minutes to walk around. It is a pleasant walk and while walking around there are a couple of clear vantage points that offer beautiful views over the surrounding area. Finally, for kids and adults there is a downhill bobsled track that runs for 400 meters. The track costs ¥500 for adults and ¥300 for children. The track is closed during bad weather. All this during the summer, and during the winter there is skiing and snowboarding as well! A great place for family and friends.


天狗山

Impressive views up

To get to the mountain, you can drive or take a bus. Buses leave from Otaru station, and Otaru canal bus terminal. For night viewing, there is an ‘Otaru Nightview Shuttle Bus’ (小樽夜景シャトルバス). This shuttle bus leaves from the the Otaru Grand Park Hotel at 18:50 and 19:20. It does a run through Otaru, stopping further at Hotel Otaru Furukawa, Hotel Sonia, Hotel Nord, Otaru Canal Bus Terminal, The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum, Inaho Jujigai, and the Otaru Train Station Bus Teminal. It operates from the end April until the start of November and costs ¥210 per adult, and ¥110 per child.



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