| General Admission | Ropeway ￥1600 - Adults ￥800 - Children |
| Opening Hours | 8:30 - 17:00 (During winter, the ropeway stops 1 hour earlier) |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0142-75-2401 |
| Notes | 400 car parking spots : ￥500 40 bus parking spots : ￥2000 40 minutes to Usu Observation deck Restaurants and shops at bottom of ropeway |
| Location / Getting There | From JR Toyako station, take the Donan Bus bound for Toyako Onsen. (15 min.) Get off at the Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal. Change buses to Showa Shinzan and get off at last stop (15 min.) *No bus service to Showa Shinzan in winter. 2 and a half hour drive from Sapporo city. 184-5 Aza Showa Shinzan, Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, Hokkaido, Japan 052-0102 |
The ropeway up overlooking Shōwa-Shinzan
Mount Usu is an active stratovolcano in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Since 1900, it has erupted a total of four times. In 1910, in 1944 which created Shōwa-Shinzan, in 1977, and as recent as March, 2000. Mt. Usu is formed on the southern rim of the caldera which contains Lake Toya. Mount Usu and Shōwa-Shinzan are major tourist attractions in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. The best way to see the Shōwa-Shinzan peak and Mt. Usu is to take the cable car to the top. From here, it is a 10 minute walk to the viewing platform offering views looking down over Lake Toya, Shōwa-Shinzan, and the towns of Date and Toyako.
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Path along the basin crater
The car park to get to the ropeway is just off Lake Toya. From here you can take the ropeway up. It takes about thirty minutes to get to the Observation Deck via the ropeway and after a short walk. If you want to explore further, there is a path that leads further down into, and around, the Usu Crater Basin. It is a nice hike along the path, though it will take an extra hour heading down and back. It is a long flight of stairs down to the path along the craters edge, so bring some water! The path around has some stunning views along the coast. Inside and outside the crater you can see the volcanic steam vents coming through the surface.
Volcano Village
After taking in some spectacular views, you can make your way back to the ropeway and head down to the “Volcano Village” next to the car park, which lies at the bottom of Mt. Usu and Shōwa-Shinzan. Here you can find a half dozen restaurants, toilet facilities, souvenir shops, and information centers, and a museum. The Information center has information on what to explore in the area. There is also an eruption experience room using sounds and images. There is also a theater with a film on the history of Mt. Usu. The gallery, here too, has panels with images on the area.
Restaurant Funka-tei 9:00 - 15:00 Soba noodle and curry restaurant 
Volcano Ramen 10:00 - 15:00 Ramen noodle shop
Village Store
Shopping9:00 - 18:00 Summer
9:00 - 16:00 WinterSouvenir Shops
Hinokuniya
Honpo Shopping9:00 - 19:00 Summer
9:00 - 16:00 WinterSouvenir Shops 
| Onsen Admission | ¥420 Adults ¥140 Children ¥70 Infants |
| Restaurant Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥600 |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 20:30 April - October 10:00 - 19:00 November - March |
| Closed | Tuesdays during July and August |
| Contact | 0142-66-7022 |
| Notes | Parking available Udon noodle restaurant Busy during summer months |
| Location / Getting There | Located on the east edge of Lake Toya, across from Nakatoya Hot Springs Campground 30-11 Nakatōya, Sōbetsu-chō, Usu-gun, Hokkaidō 052-0105 |
Udon Restaurant
The Rai Yumeto no Ie Onsen (meaning Dreamers House in English) is a small hot spring building located across from Nakatoya Hot Springs Campground. During the summer this onsen is a popular spot for the campers there. On the off season, its quieter and still a great place to freshen up, relax in the onsen waters, or to fill up on bowls of udon noodles at the restaurant there. The building itself has a rustic feel. The wood used to make this onsen comes from two hundred year old Finnish pine imported along the Siberian railroad and shipped across.
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Onsen foyer
The onsen has seven washrooms and is segregated. They also have hairdryers, shampoo, body soap available. Towels are also available to purchase and there is a massage machine that can be used. Everything to clean up and relax. There is a small udon restaurant in the building. Here you can order a variety of hot udon noodle dishes which will satisfy hungry customers. The onsen also has information and pamphlets on what to do around the Toya area, so it acts as a tourist site as well!
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥500 (for meal) |
| Opening Hours | |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | |
| Notes | Local vegetable market Restaurant Souvenir shop Toilets |
| Location / Getting There | Located in the small town of Kimobetsu which is halfway between Sapporo and Niseko. 10 minute drive from Rusutsu. 306-3 Kimobetsu, Kimobetsu-chō, Abuta-gun, Hokkaidō 044-0201 |
Plenty of produce to see
Aspeila is a rest stop, a local market, souvenir shop, and restaurant all rolled into one. It can be easily found on route 230, which is the main road from Sapporo to Rusutsu. Just look for the large sign and two asparagus characters on the main building. It is a great spot to do some shopping for souvenirs or food, where you can buy a whole range of vegetables produced by local farmers. These delicious (and large) vegetables can be bought in bulk and for a great bargain! The greengrocers here makes up one part of Aspeila.
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Restaurant space to dine
The souvenir shop also sells local foods famous in the area. There is also a restaurant and bathrooms here. It is here, at this restaurant, you can order some great udon or soba noodles. Alternatively, there is a delicious vegetable curry and rice, or a katsu curry (deep-fried cutlet of chicken or pork) that is on the menu. These meals are all under ¥1000 making them good value for money! To get here you will need your own transport, the drive taking about one and a half hours. There is a bus stop out the front, and the buses run from Sapporo station to Kimobetsu five times a day.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥2000 - ¥3000 |
| Opening Hours | 18:00 - 3:00, 18:00 - 1:00 (food) 17:00 - 1:00 (Sundays), 18:00 - 24:00 (food Sundays) |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-272-1150 |
| Notes | Seating 40 French and yakitori bar English menu |
| Location / Getting There | 3 minute walk from Susukino station 〒064-0804 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Minami 4 Jōnishi, 5 Chome−5 |
Hot sake
Bird Watching is a cozy little bar that also excels in yakitori (skewered meat) and French cuisine. With three floors and large windows, you can enjoy views of the downtown area while sipping on a variety of spirits and wines and partaking in some unique cuisine. The bar is a perfect spot for small groups or couples. The drink menu has some great sake, whiskeys, wines (red and white), cocktails and ‘Yuzu sake’. Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit. It’s tart and bitter, citrus-like, tangy and fresh, making it a refreshing and delicious sake which is a must try!
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A talented chef
The food at Bird Watching is also a delicious mix of French and Japanese styles. You can order individual meat skewers of various kinds, or a selection of delicious French plates such as carpaccio, quiche, or potage. Alternatively, if you want to try a bit of everything than there are various set menus you can try. The three sets range from ¥1900 to ¥3900. These include small French dishes, yakitori, salads, and desserts. With three floors there are lots of cozy small tables to sit and enjoy the Bird Watching bar.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥2000 - ¥3000 |
| Opening Hours | 17:00 - 7:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 050-3464-2481 https://eight-8susukino.owst.jp/en/ |
| Notes | Western dining Seating 70 Japanese & English menu Smoking & non smoking |
| Location / Getting There | 3 minute walk from Susukino subway station 〒 064-0805 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Minami 5 Jōnishi, 4th alto Altoville |
Spare ribs in Guinness beer stew
8 Dining Cafe is a Western style restaurant based in the entertainment district of Sapporo. The menu is expansive and the food is great, and at a reasonable price! It is a popular spot for groups and couples alike. Tables for groups of ten to thirty can be reserved. For reservations simply check the website on the link. At this restaurant there is an all you can drink option as well as a set course plan! The set course meals change with seasonal ingredients. These are a good option for parties and groups.
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Bar area
The menu has plenty to choose from, from finger food to large meals. For small entrées, they have toro salmon and avocado carpaccio, pickled vegetables, a nice selection of salads, and a fantastic cheese and dried fruit platter. For meat, they have some great dishes. Beef fillet steak and foie gras, duck in orange sauce, or spicy fried chicken. And of course, they have seafood, pastas and pizzas to go around. Also check out the dessert menu as well! For drinks, there is a selection of wines, beer, whiskey, teas, cocktails and soft drinks.
| General Admission | Free |
| Sculpture Garden Entry | ￥700 adults ￥560 over 65 Free for junior high students and younger ￥1000 annual fee |
| Art Museum Entry | Admission varies on exhibition |
| Opening Hours | 9:45 - 17:00 *closes at 5:30 from June 1 to August 31 |
| Closed | Mondays: November 4 to April 28 |
| Contact | 011-592-5111 |
| Notes | ￥500 Parking normal cars ￥1200 Parking large cars |
| Location / Getting There | 40 minutes by car from Sapporo station on route 453 1 hour by car from New Chitose airport Buses run from Makomanai station every 15 minutes. Chuo bus stop no.2 2 Chome-2-75 Geijutsunomori, Minami-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 005-0864 |
One of the well known sculptures at the park
The Sapporo Art Park also known as ‘Geijutsu no Mori’ is a large expanse of land that incorporates gardens, a sculpture park, art galleries, art workshops, a restaurant and shops. Located on forty hectares, it is a terrific place to walk around, take in some art, do some shopping, or take in the fresh air. Throughout the year there are events and craft workshops such as woodwork, glassmaking, pottery, and textiles. There are also places for acting and music, as well as facilities for overnight stays. All this in the gardens and forest area, makes for a great experience out of town.
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Near the entrance of the park
So, how to get there? There are two ways to get to the art park. By public transport take the subway on the Nanboku Line (green line). Get off at Makamonai Station. Take the ‘Soranuma’ or ‘Takino’ bus from the bus stop no.2 which is at the front of Makamonai station. You can get off at ‘Geijutsu no Mori Iriguchi’ or the ‘Geijutsu no Mori Center’. Alternatively, if you have your own transport, it is a forty minute drive from central Sapporo. Head onto route 453 which is the Sapporo to Shikotsu route. The turn off will be on the right.
La Foglia cafe
If you are driving from New Chitose Airport, it is a one hour drive. Head along the Hokkaido Expressway Kitahiroshima Interchange.Lastly, on your walks around the park, you may need to refuel at some point. There are plenty of places to have a picnic if you want to bring your own lunch. There is a cafe ‘La Foglia’ that has tea, as well as homemade confections. The cafe offers relaxing views over the park. The restaurant on the grounds is called ‘Hatake no Haru’. It is a buffet style restaurant that uses local produce from Hokkaido. It is here you can find a delicious lunch. For more details on the restaurant, see below.
Pricing Guide
(Avg. cost per person)￥1500 Junior high school and over
￥1300 Seniors
￥900 Children
Free for toddlers, three and under
Opening Hours 11:00 - 17:00
Closed -
Contact 011-215-1778
http://hatake-no-haru.com/
Notes All you can eat buffet
