| Dates | Last weekend of August |
| Contact | phone 0143-84-3311 |
| Notes | Free parking available Demon floats Taiko performance Demon costume parade Fireworks To stay overnight at Noboribetsu onsen , book early. |
| Location / Getting There | 15 minute bus ride from JR Noboribetsu station 1 hour 30 minute drive from Sapporo |
“Yukijin” masked demon
The town of Noboribetsu is famous for its hot spring waters. These waters spring from a rocky, barren, volcanic valley known as “Hell Valley” (Jigokudani) located just north of the onsens. This valley is said to be the gateway to hell and is inhabited by demons. Every summer the door to “hell” is opened with the Jigoku Festival. This festival was first held in 1964 and has continued annually ever since. This lively event, has a fantastic atmosphere and runs over the last weekend of August. At the Jigoku Festival witness the numerous demon floats, dances, the taiko drum performance, the fireworks and the array of costumes worn by locals and tourists alike. The festival sees Enma or Yama (the King of Hell), a giant blue and red ogre, and “yukijin”, masked demons who are the protective guardians of the hot springs, emerge to prowl the streets of Noboribetsu for one weekend.
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The iconic center piece of this festival is the giant Demon Mikoshi Gokuraku (shrine) which is a giant demon face upon which stands the demon king. As it proceeds down the street, smoke pours from its mouth and the eyes light up, as it spews forth golden ribbons. A truly impressive sight! Ogre shrines of ‘Enma’ precede the demon shrine and are carried by school kids. Masked ogres dance in groups in honour of the demon king’s visit and local folks perform for the crowds. A colorful fireworks show on the final night, bids the demon king’s farewell until the following year.
The locals really get involved with this festival. There is a huge dance parade in the evening, not only for the locals but for the spectators to join in as well! If you can’t make it, you can still have a demonic encounter at the Demon’s Fireworks ceremony, which is held at Jigokudani Observatory every Thursday and Friday from 20:30. Masked demons carry handheld fireworks – 10-metre high erupting columns of fire reminiscent of Hell Valley’s erupting steam vents and geysers – along the town’s demon footpath.
To get to the festival, you can take the JR train to Noboribetsu. From there it’s a short bus ride to Noboribetsu hot spring. It’s about a 15 minute ride and costs ￥340. Buses run every 15 to 20 minutes, starting at 6:10 and run until 21:15. Trains from Sapporo to Noboribetsu take just over an hour and cost ￥4160 for a round trip. Trains from Sapporo run from 6:36 to 22:00. Trains from Noboribetsu to Sapporo run from 7:26 to 21:47. If you have access to transport, then it’s about a one and a half hour drive. Free parking is available.
| Dates | 1st weekend of September |
| Contact | phone 0134-26-6160 mobile 080-4505-2424 |
| Notes | Free parking available (from 5pm) Fire works start around 7pm Food, live music, & taiko drums |
| Location / Getting There | Access by bus, take the train to Otaru station, then take the Otaru Aquarium bus. A taxi will cost around ￥3000 from Otaru station |
Otaru has many festivals over the year, and the Otaru Shukutsu Festival is one of the last festivals to see fireworks for the summer. The festival starts off at 5pm and attracts many of the locals and there is a lot to see.There is a “mikoshi” (portable shrine), taiko drum performance, live music, plus there are plenty of food stalls and of course, the fireworks which start at 7pm! All of this takes place below a meiji period house/museum, the ‘Otaru Nishin Goten’, which makes a fantastic backdrop for this festival!
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At the start of the festival a portable shrine (mikoshi) is carried in by a large group of participants. These group of shrine bearers get together every year, and are from Sapporo and a few outlying towns. Chanting and singing to the rhythm the shrine is slowly brought into the festival. Once the shrine is in the festival it is placed in front of a dozen Taiko performers hitting the drums in time with the chanting. The drums with the shrine gives this festival a great Japanese atmosphere!
Fireworks over Otaru Nishin Goten
There are many food stalls, and as Shukutsu is a local fishing town there is a lot of grilled seafood to treat your taste buds! Shellfish, sea snails, squid, octopus, and fish are all on the menu. After an evening meal you can settle in and await the fireworks. Many people set up early for a good viewing spot for the fireworks but there is plenty of space! The Shukutsu fireworks are set off along the stone beach along the harbor, just below the Otaru Nishin Goten and lighthouse. At 7:00pm the fireworks begin and light up the sky so make sure you’re there before then! Enjoy!
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | around ¥5000 |
| Summer opening Hours | Monday 17:00 - 23:00 Wednesday 17:00 - 23:00 Thursday 17:00 - 23:00 Friday 11:00 - 23:00 Weekends 11:00 - 23:00 *closed Tuesdays |
| Winter opening Hours | open everyday 16:00 - 23:00 |
| Contact | 0136-55-5553 |
| Notes | English speaking staff English menu available Credit Cards accepted Pizza delivery available Bar area *in winter reservations are required |
| Location | 167-3 Yamada, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido Prefecture 044-0081 |
Tasteful surroundings
Niseko Pizza is a delicious Italian restaurant that excels in wood-fire baked pizzas, pastas, salads, mouth-watering desserts, all served with a special selection of fine wines, and local and imported beers. Niseko Pizza not only specializes in Italian cuisine but also serves up an excellent grilled menu that will leave any customer satisfied! Niseko Pizza is located in the heart of Niseko so its easy to find! The menu has a huge selection of dishes to choose from, using the freshest local ingredients.
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Venison steaks
There are over 20 handmade wood-fired pizzas to choose from. A huge selection of delicious pastas are also available, and to accompany your meal there are plenty of salads! The grilled section has succulent venison steaks, racks of ribs, chicken, steaks and vegetables. The menu has so much to offer, it’s hard to decide! If you have room left after your meal, the dessert menu won’t disappoint! And on those cold winter evenings, pizza delivery is available!
The restaurant has a great layout, the design featuring Italian wines lining the walls, a large screen with winter scenes, upstairs seating for larger groups and a great ambiance. The bar area is at one end with seating for up to a dozen. In summer,there is plenty of seating available. In winter, Niseko Pizza is a popular venue so it’s advised to make a booking beforehand, especially for large groups!
| Admission | Entry - free Tour : Adults ￥1050 (groups ￥850) Children ￥550 (groups ￥450) Observation deck : Adults ￥550 (groups ￥420) Children ￥320 (groups ￥220) Game Tickets : from ￥1500 - ￥12,000 *depending on seating area |
| Opening Hours | April - October 7:00 - 23:00 November - March 7:00 - 22:00 Parking lot 9:00 - 21:00 *for events check dome schedule |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-850-1000 (from 9:00 to 17:30) |
| Notes | Wheelchair access English speaking staff Wi-fi available Restaurants & shops Training gym & Gymnastics available Kids area Access to sports field tour Car & Bike parking available |
| Location / Getting There | Access via subway (Fukuzumi station) Access via bus & shuttle bus 〒062-0045 1, Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo-shi |
Inside baseball pitch
Opened in 2001 and with seating for up to 54,000 people, Sapporo Dome is the biggest stadium in Hokkaido. It is a unique stadium that is used primarily for baseball games and football matches. It is also used for large concerts for big name bands on the occasions they tour Sapporo. This futuristic stadium is unique in its design which switches between two entirely different surfaces, baseball games are played on an underlying artificial turf field, while football games are held on a grass pitch that slides into and out of the stadium as needed.
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Observation Deck
The 53 meter observation deck is south facing and offers fantastic views of Sapporo and the outlying mountains. An impressive 60 meter escalator takes you straight to the top. Wheelchair access is available.
| Admission | Adult - ￥550 Adult Groups - ￥420 Children - ￥320 Children groups - ￥220 *children under 4 years old are free |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | May be closed due to special events. |
| Notes | Tickets are available at the ticket vendor at NORTH GATE 3 on the 1st floor. |
Dome Tour
This 50 minute Dome Tour is very popular with locals and tourists alike. The guided tour will get you look around backstage, including the bullpens and the locker rooms used by some of the popular players!
| Admission | Adult - ￥1050, Adult Groups - ￥850. Children - ￥550, Children groups - ￥450 *children under 4 years old are free |
| Tour Times | Tours run hourly, starting at 10:00. Last tour is at 16:00 |
| Closed | May be closed due to special events. |
| Notes | When soccer or baseball events are on, locker rooms are not included in the tour, though the those in the tour can see the match. Dome tour can be combined with Observation deck for an extra ￥200 |
Training room & Gymnastics
Admission Gym: Adult - ￥500 per visit. Over 65 - ￥300 per visit.
Gymnastics: Adult - ￥500. Over 65 & Students - ￥800.
Opening hours 9:30 - 21:00 for both the gym & gymnastics classes
*times may change due to special events.
Closed May be closed due to special events.
Notes Showers available.
The gym has both free weights and weight machines.
Any gymnastic class is available regardless of age or gender.
Contact 011-850-1000
Besides the tours, observation deck, and the events there is still a lot to see at the dome. Take a walk, (or a jog) around the dome. There are 25 sculptures dotted around the grounds. Behind Sapporo dome are some futsal fields. Inside, there is a large children’s play area, an assortment of restaurants, and souvenir shops to buy sporting goods and memorabilia.
How to get there!
Public transportation to the Dome is by subway or bus. Taxi pick-up and drop-off points are on the premises. Advance car parking tickets are required during soccer and baseball games. The parking lot is not accessible during concerts.
| From Sapporo Station | 13 minutes from Sapporo Subway Station to Fukuzumi Subway Station via Toho Line and then a 10 minute walk to the Dome (500m). 30 minutes from JR Sapporo Sta. by taxi. |
| From New Chitose Airport | 45 minutes by bus on the expressway and National Highway 36 to the “Sapporo Dome” bus stop. 1 hour by JR to Sapporo station and then subway. |
| Dates | 2nd weekend in July |
| Contact | 011-391-2160 ichi@yakimono21.org |
| Location / Getting There | 3 minute walk from JR Ebetsu Station. |
Just one of many stores
The Ebetsu “Yakimonoichi” Ceramic Art Fair is an annual festival held in the heart of Ebetsu. Ebetsu is a town on the outskirts of Sapporo (about a 20 minute drive) and is famous for its brick making. The ceramic art fair sees hundred of artists and craftspeople congregate to sell their wares over the summer weekend. Stalls and tents are set up throughout the streets, where customers can peruse at their leisure looking for a bargain out of the thousands of hand crafted items.
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The festival is relatively easy to find. Take the JR train to Ebetsu station. You will be able to see the fair from the station, just follow the crowds! If you are driving, there is only parking near the city hall which is a 10 minute walk away. The artists range from amateur to professional and there are thousands of ceramic items to choose from, whether it be some kitchenware or a small trinket to decorate the home. Prices, of course, vary depending on the artist. Don’t be afraid to barter a better price, as it’s all part of the fun!
The main event of the festival is the domino topple. About 2000 red bricks are set up on one of the streets and toppled over domino style! The festival ranges over half a dozen streets, so there are a lot of shops to see. In the summer heat there are plenty of places to sit and rest. As with all the festivals there are food stalls and vans set up to serve tasty lunches. Local food and more exotic curries are available. The Ebetsu Yakimonoichi Festival is a great place to buy some hand crafted ceramics, walk around, or to grab a beer and sit in the summer sun!
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 22:00 |
| Closed | New Years Holiday |
| Contact | 011-398-9570 |
| Notes | - |
| Getting there | 8 minute walk from Nopporo station 〒069-0821 Hokkaido Prefecture, Ebetsu, 東野幌町３−３ |
| Shops | Ebri Vegetable Market Gresham -Ebetsu - Tosa Grocery Store Il Mattone Arlese Italian Restaurant Nopporo Coffee Brick Hut Sweet Potatoes |
The stylish Ebri Shopping Mall was opened in March 2016 and was reconstructed from an old brick factory. This small one floor building has a lot of character with its red brick, wrought iron and wooden veneer and reflects on the town of Ebetsu, which is famous for its brick making industry. The brick building is made entirely from 100% Ebetsu brick and contains a supermarket, a coffee and sweets shop, a local grocery and a delicious wood fire Italian restaurant. A lot of local produce from the surrounding areas are sold here!
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Sweet potatoes
There are about a dozen shops in the building. There are some clothing stores but the main focus is on the local food grown in local areas. The supermarket there is a great place to buy some local fare. The space is very open and customers can walk around and poke their noses into the various kitchens of the sweet potato shop, coffee shop, and the Italian restaurant. At the coffee shop try the rich, delicious ‘Nopporo Coffee’ blend and purchase some packets to take home! There is also a roasted sweet potato shop as well, the “Brick Hut”. These fragrant potatoes are baked in a stone kiln made from materials sent from Italy & France. The kiln was created by a master craftsman and it brings out the unique flavors. French fries, sweet potatoes, and roast potatoes are on the menu. This shop is open until 19:00.
Lemon & Seafood Pasta
Ebri Shopping Mall is a 10 minute drive from Nopporo Forest Park. If you are hungry after seeing the sites of the Centennial Memorial Tower, or the Hokkaido historical Museum then there is a nice little Italian restaurant here, at Ebri Shopping Mall. Arles Il Mattone Italian Restaurant has a wooden kiln and makes its dishes from Ebetsu ingredients. There is lunch set meal (from 11:00 – 14:00) and a dinner set meal (17:00 – 20:30). The meals, come with a buffet style appetizer and cost around ¥1200. The all you can eat appetizer has a delicious selection of vegetables, olives, pastas, and meats. The main meals are made up of pastas, and wood fired pizzas. For dessert, there is also a large selection of all you can eat buffet style cakes and puddings. Arles has a great selection of local and foreign wines too! The phone number for Arles is 011-398-7708.
