| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 16:00 Old Kitami Station 8:30 - 22:00 Takinoue Culture Center |
| Closed | Winter (November to April) - Museum |
| Contact | 0158-29-3735 (cultural center) |
| Notes | Train museum Part of the cultural center |
| Location / Getting There | Located next to the Takinoue Cultural Center Sakaemachi, Takinoue, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido 099-5605 |
Train apparatus
Even though Takinoue doesn’t have a train station, they do have a small museum dedicated to train memorabilia known as the ‘Old Kitami Takinoshi Station’. Opened in 1990, it’s an interesting place with plenty of exhibits with information about the station, and over three hundred items from the train stations of old. All the signs are in Japanese but you can still enjoy these items from over fifty years ago. The train museum is located right next to the Takinoue Cultur Center so it’s easy to find. Just look for the small blue train engine on the tracks.
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Culture center
The Takinoue Culture Center is located only a few minutes drive from the center of town. The culture center is used in Takinoue for events and for concerts that are held monthly. Apart from the stage area that is on the second floor, there is the Takinoue Library on the first floor. There are lounges and a tea area and restrooms. It is also here you can find information on local events and festivals. There is plenty of parking and also a bus stop so access is easy. If you have some time, and are interested in a bit of history (and trains), then the Old Kitami Takinoshi Station is a cheap and quick sightseeing spot.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1200 |
| Opening Hours | 11:30 - 21:30 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-233-2911 http://www.suage.info/ |
| Notes | Soup curry restaurant English menu available Long lines at lunch and dinner |
| Location / Getting There | 5 minute walk from Susukino subway station. 〒 064-0804 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo, South 4 West 5 Toshimatsu Building |
Can’t miss the sign
Suage Soup Curry is a very popular soup curry restaurant located in Sapporo, near Susukino subway station. Due to its popularity, you can expect around at least a thirty minute wait during the peak hours at lunch and dinner. What makes Suage Soup Curry such a popular spot is it’s unique menu. The menu comes in English, so ordering isn’t a problem. Some of the staff have English ability as well. The menu has crispy Shiretoko chicken, chicken leg curry and a nice vegetable curry.
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The squid ink soup base
Apart from these dishes there are also some distinct dishes that can only be found at Suage. There is a lavender pork flavored curry, a delicious smoked duck and mozzarella cheese curry, a fried shrimp and avocado curry, a char-grilled mutton curry, and a special jerk chicken curry. These mouth watering dishes, can be served in a coconut soup, or an interesting squid ink based soup that is home only to Suage Soup Curry. Spice levels range from one to ten. Rice comes with soup curry, and at Suage they use a special ‘Akaimai’ rice which has a red pigment, and is high in nutrients.
Drinks include coffees, lassis, and soft drinks. And at Suage, they offer a delicious dessert for afters. There is plenty of seating, though if you find Suage is too busy, you can try your luck at Suage 2, which is conveniently located next door!
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1200 - ¥4000 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 - 16:00 (last order at 15:30) 16:00 - 23:15 (last order at 22:15) |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-213-5005 http://kitamaru.jp/ |
| Notes | Japanese style izakaya 128 seats Smoking section |
| Location / Getting There | 2 minute walk from Sapporo station. 2 Chome Kita 6 Jonishi, Kita, Sapporo, 060-0806, PASEO 1st floor |
Fish lunch set
Kitamaru is a Japanese Izakaya, located in the dining area of Paseo West. There are a large selection of Japanese dishes on the menu. The lunch menu has a selection of fried chicken, tempura, sushi and a variety of sashimi, noodles, a pork dish, and a fish dish to name a few. The lunch menus typically come with rice, a miso soup, and some pickled vegetables. The vegetables are seasonal and come from the local farmlands around Sapporo. Located in Paseo Dining, this restaurant is close to all the shopping areas which is a plus.
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A selection of goodies
And of course, while at an izakaya, you will alos need refreshments to go with your meal. Kitamaru restaurant has beer, a huge selection of highball drinks, cocktails, whiskey, Japanese sake, plus soft drinks. The izakaya is a large area with plenty of seating, they also have private rooms, whether it be for large parties, or for just a cozy dinner for two. For events for groups, it is better to book ahead (this can be done via their website). So, while in the Sapporo station area, and are looking for a Japanese style lunch, or dinner, Kitamaru is worth a look!
Rustic settings
From its humble and early beginnings, Boyotei Restaurant has become a popular spot to enjoy a nice lunch or coffee in the surroundings of Lake Toya. Originally starting out as a small coffee shop in 1946, it has become a cozy, tavern like restaurant that serves up some delicious Western fare. There is plenty of seating in the rustic setting for couples and groups (for larger groups it is better to book ahead). It is located near a few of the sightseeing spots south of the lake, such as the Mt. Usu Memorial Park, and the G8 Summit Memorial. 
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The softest omelette & rice
Catering for overseas visitors, the menu comes in a range of languages. The menu has a selection of hamburg steaks and vegetables, a pork dish, a pasta dish, fish, and arguably one of the best omelette and rice (om rice) dishes in Hokkaido! All meals have a soup, rice, and coffee option. For a course meal, Boyotei Restaurant has a few options ranging from the ‘special course’ at ￥2300 to the ‘royal course’ at ￥8000. While at Lake Toya, and looking for a nice lunch, Boyotei Restaurant is a great option!
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0142-75-4400 |
| Notes | Toilets on site Parking available |
| Location / Getting There | Located bottom left on Lake Toya. 2 minute walk from Hokkai Hotel 168 Tōyakoonsen, Tōyako-chō, Abuta-gun, Hokkaidō 049-5721 |
Views from the park
The Mount usu Eruption Memorial park is a nice stretch of grassland on the south western coast of Lake Toya. It serves as an art park with some fantastic sculptures, plus it also has some information about the Mt Usu eruption, which still shows signs of a fault line that runs through the park. Mt. Usu, which lies a few kilometers to the south is a stratovolcano that has erupted four times since 1900. In the most recent eruption in 2000, a new fault line cut through the road and the park! This fault can still be seen today.
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Beautiful art
The park is a wonderful spot to stroll around, look at the sculptures, take in the gorgeous views of the lake and get some photos. There are about half a dozen sculptures in the park, starting with the carvings of three lionesses, that mark the entrance and the parking area. At the western point of the park , there is a tiny forested outcrop called ‘Chinko Island’ which has a small path running through it. The water around this area is crystal clear and a good spot for a picnic!
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0158-29-2227 |
| Notes | Shinto shrine |
| Location / Getting There | 10 minute walk from Takinoue Park 5 minute walk from the center of town. 〒 999-5614 Takigami-cho, Monbetsu-gun, Sakuru wilderness 33 address |
Various shrines
Takinoue Shrine is a Shinto Shrine that was built in the heart of Takinoue. The location of a shrine is related to the sacred nature of a place where a holy ceremony took place in the past. In 1954 the center of the town was established by the village company, and the shrine was then constructed 1965. It is said that the spirits of the Gods of Japan exist as a sacred object which is enshrined inside the building. Shinto priests and shrine maidens work there all year round and prepare a variety of ceremonies.
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Top of the hill
The shrine has been constructed on a large plot of land, and it offers great views over the town of Takinoue. Taking the steep steps to the top, you can see Takinoue Park , which is especially beautiful in the month of May. Views of the Rainbow Bridge can also be seen making this shrine a fantastic spot to get some photos, not only of the shrine itself, but of the sweeping views over Takinoue. Being in the center of Takinoue, it is easily accessed, and a quick walk to other sightseeing spots. The festival day of the shrine is September 10th.
