| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 12:00 14:00 - 16:00 *Tuesdays are mornings only |
| Closed | Mondays Stormy weather |
| Contact | 011-511-9624 http://www.ssc.slp.or.jp/planet/sapporo-obs |
| Notes | Observatory has day time & night time viewings. Planet viewing depending on schedule |
| Location / Getting There | Located in Nakajima Park. 5 minute walk from Nakajima koen subway exit 3 1-17 Nakajima-koen,Chuo-ku,Sapporo 064-0931, Hokkaido |
Located in Nakajima Park
If you enjoy sightseeing and checking out the sights, then this is the ultimate in sightseeing. Instead of seeing the local sightseeing spots in Hokkaido, you will be gazing in wonder at the planets and stars! If you have never been to an observatory before, it is a must see. Built in 1960, it is easily accessed in Nakajima Park, which can be found just to the south of central Sapporo. It is free to enter in the mornings and afternoons, and is manned by super friendly staff/astronomers who are more than happy to help and show you the wonders of the skies.
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A close up of Venus!
Throughout the year, there are cosmic events that are constantly on show. Whether it be a comet, a blood moon, a planet in close orbit with the earth, or a meteor, to name a few. During these times the observatory is open for the public to come in and get a close up view of these marvels. For the annual schedule you can check their website, or pick up a flyer at the observatory. If there are no other visitors, and you have a Canon camera, then the staff can attach it to their telescope for some great shots! While in Sapporo, the observatory is a place to see.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥2000 - ¥3000 |
| Opening Hours | 15:00 - 2:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-561-3533 http://bb5613533.webcrow.jp/index.html |
| Notes | Darts Party plan Seating 40 |
| Location / Getting There |
Spicy chicken wings
Beer Bar Basil Basil is a popular bar to grab some good food, and some good beer, and have a night out with some friends. It is located on the southern end of Susukino, the night life district of Sapporo. It is not on the main street but one block across from the main drag. Opening in 1999, Basil Basil focuses its menu on a good selection of Japanese beers plus some European ales. To go with the beer, there is a good selection of bar food that will please any customer!
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Salad
The beer menu has Sapporo Classic, a nice Yebisu on tap, a Yebisu black stout, Edelpils (a German Pilsener style beer) plus some foreign beers. These include Hoegaarden, a bass pale ale, and a Guinness. The food menu has plenty of dishes to match the beer, such as pizza, spicy chicken, sausages, oysters and shrimp, tortillas and beans, pastrami and sauerkraut. For those looking for group specials, Beer Bar Basil Basil has party plans. Six dishes plus an all you can drink for an hour and a half plan, will put you back at ￥3800 per person. An all you can drink plan, for an hour and a half will cost ￥2800 per person. You can reserve tables for 10-14 people, 20-26 people, or you can hire the whole 40 seats including the counter area!
| Pricing Guide | Swan boat with engine ¥2500 - 20 minutes ¥3000 - 30 minutes |
| Swan boat ¥1500 - 30 minutes |
|
| Pedal boat ¥1200 - 20 minutes |
|
| Rowboat ¥1000 - 60 minutes |
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| Speedboat lake tour ¥1800 per adult ¥600 per child (ages 6 to 12) |
|
| Opening Hours | 8:00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0142-75-3467 http://toyamarine.com/ |
| Notes | Fishing boats available to rent Boat tours available |
| Location / Getting There | Southern coast of Lake Toya 〒 052-0103 Hokkaidō, Usu-gun, Sōbetsu-chō, Sōbetsuonsen, 62 Sonmyo Onsen 62 |
Swan paddle boats
Located on the southern shores of Lake Toya, there are a couple of places to rent some boats so you can not only enjoy the views from the shore, but from on the lake itself. There are a few options on which watercraft to get. Starting with the cheapest, there is the rowboat which is for two people, where you can take it easy at a slow place. Next is an old style pedal boat (if you don’t feel like rowing), which has a capacity of two people. For groups of four, there is the swan paddle boat, which is fun for the whole family! Lastly, if you feel like taking it easy, there is a motor powered swan boat. The engine is only two horsepower, so no license is necessary.
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Rental booth
Of course, if you want to see more of the lake, then there are speedboats that are available to take a tour with from April to November. There are seats for nine or twelve people, and the tour will take you around Nakajima island in the middle offering some great lake views. There are a couple of different courses that are available. Jet skis are also available for hire though a license is needed. If you are interested in fishing, there are also fishing boats that can be rented for the day. 
If you want a nice relaxing day and want to go fishing, then there are plenty of fish in the lake. Lake Toya has brown trout, rainbow trout, carp, to name a few. These fish can also be found in the adjoining rivers. What better way then to spend the day on the lake, taking in the scenery and enjoying the clear waters. For boats with engines, a boat license is needed. Reservations are required.
Pricing Guide
Yamaha 14ft
¥9,500 - full day
¥5,500 - half day
Yamaha 16ft
¥10,500 - full day
¥6,500 - half day
Rental Hours 4:00 - 19:00
Closed Winter (December to March)
Contact 0142-75-3467
http://toyamarine.com/
| Cost per night | ¥5,000 - ¥16,000 per person |
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 10:00 |
| Contact | 0158-29-3399 |
| Restaurant | Yes |
| Wi-fi | Yes |
| Notes | Onsen available Souvenir shop Smoking & non smoking rooms Western & Japanese rooms Parking space for 40 vehicles Karaoke room available |
| Location | 5 minutes past Takinoue town by car Motomachi, Takinoue, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido 099-5604 |
Foyer
Takinoue Hotel Keikoku is a large hotel located just past the town of Takinoue. The hotel is located near all the sightseeing spots. Takinoue is busiest from May to June so it is recommended to reserve a room during these peak times. The rooms are both Western style and Japanese style, and some rooms are non smoking. Wi-fi is available in all rooms. There are various plans, and depending on the price, you can get dinner included with the room. Japanese cuisine and Western cuisine are both available, which come in standard or delicious deluxe meal. Breakfast is a Japanese style buffet.
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Izumi Bath House
Admission
(cost per person)¥440 adult
¥160 children
Opening Hours All day for guests
10:00 - 21:00 for day visitors
Closed 8:30 - 10:00 (for cleaning)
Notes Body soap and shampoo provided
Face towel ¥100
Bath towel ¥200 (loan)
This small and relaxing onsen is perfect to sooth any aches and pains, or to just freshen up. The onsen is located on the ground floor past the reception. Visitors coming in for the day are more than welcome, which is especially convenient if you are staying at the Keikoku Park Camping Ground which is right by the hotel. The ticket machine for the onsen is next to the reception. Lockers are provided free of charge for valuables. The inside baths offer views over part of the Takinoue Gorge.
Forest Restaurant
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥800 - ¥1000 |
| Opening Hours | 11:15 - 14:00 17:30 - 20:30 (last order at 20:00) |
| Closed | - |
| Notes | Japanese & Western dining |
Nice views from the rooms
Karaoke Rooms
Pricing Guide
(cost per hour)¥1,080 : 10:00 to 13:00
¥1,620 : 13:00 to 18:00
¥2,160 : 18:00 to 23:00
If you are into karaoke, then Takinoue Hotel Keikoku offers this service. There are karaoke rooms to hire for friends and family. They have the latest songs on their karaoke machine. The hotel also has snacks and finger food that can be ordered. Drinks, too, are also available.
Apart from the onsen, restaurant, and the karaoke rooms, there is a souvenir shop which is also located in the lobby. They not only have herbs (which is what Takinoue is famous for), but they also have goods made from local materials, chopping boards and serve ware for example. The souvenir shop ‘Forest Shop’ is open from 7:00 to 21:00. There is plenty to see and do while in Takinoue. There is the Takinoue City Museum, which is directly across from the hotel, as is the Kaori No Sato Herb Garden down the road. The hotel is only a five minute drive from Takinoue Park Shibazakura Festival, which is a must see!
| 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!
