The Sapporo Lilac Festival first began in 1959, and the following year the lilac was designated the tree of Sapporo After a long winter many citizens eagerly look forward to this festival where everyone can enjoy the start of a warmer season and eating and walking outdoors. Odori Park has about 400 lilac trees, and on the first day of the festival, lilac seedlings are given away to visitors. There is also an outdoor tea ceremony, a store to try on kimonos, a music festival and a stamp rally. There is international cuisine and the wine garden serves up delicious food made with Hokkaido ingredients and locally produced wines. A variety of events are held in the lilac forest of Kawashimo Park in Sapporo’s Shiroishi Ward, such as the Shimokawa Park concert, and guided tours of the lilacs.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Odori Park is the main attraction and its recommended to check out the 3 blocks of festivities here first. There is a variety of attractions you can enjoy while strolling around the park, such as the “Wine Garden 2016 Lilas Mariages” where you can sample wines from wineries from about 23 areas of Hokkaido in the spring weather. There are a large assortment of places to eat, though be warned, it gets crowded! There are also hands-on activities such as the origami classroom and the Hokkaido wheat straw ornament-making experience.
Odori Park 5th Block (5 Chome)
| Origami classroom & exhibitions | 10 am - 4 pm |
| Lilac Exhibition & Gardening Sales | 10 am - 4 pm |
| Kimono dressing experience and picture-taking area | 10 am - 4 pm |
| Handmade Market | 10 am - 4 pm |
| Free appraisals of Antiques and Collectibles | 10 am - 4 pm |
Odori Park 6th Block (6 Chome)
| Tea Area | 10 am - 4:30 pm |
| International Food Court | 10 am - 9 pm |
| Lilac Music Festival | 10 am - 5 pm |
| Various Markets | 10 am - 8 pm |
Odori Park 7th Block (7 Chome)
| Wine Garden 2016 Lilas Mariages | 11 am - 9 pm |
| Hokkaido food stalls | 11 am - 9 pm |
| Seminar on Hokkaido- produced wines hosted by a sommelier | 3 pm - 3:30 pm |
Kawashimo Park venue contains the “Lilac Forest” which has 1700 lilac trees and 200 varieties of lilac from around the world. There is a guided tour of the “Lilac Forest” around the large green lawns. Saplings are given out for free. There are flower related exhibitions and hands-on activities, so if you’re a nature buff, this is the place for you!
| Lilac Guided Tour | 11pm - midday 2pm - 3pm |
| Lilac quiz rally | 10am - 3pm |
| Lilac seedlings, original goods, and food stands* *weather depending | 10am - 3pm |
| Kawashimo Park Concert | *times depending |
| Kids Liladeco Battle! Decorate Lilac Plaza | 9am - 9pm *closed Mondays |
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1200 - ¥2200 |
| Opening Hours | 10:30am - 6pm |
| Closed | Wednesdays |
| Contact | 0123-21-3750 |
| Notes | Need a car to get here! Japanese speaker needed |
| Location | 〒069-1181 Hokkaido Prefecture, Chitose, Higashioka, ９２０ |
Lots of room!
This BBQ spot is a little hidden paradise for BBQ lovers, and if you have access to a car, its a must! Think of This is an old school place that has its own unique layout that has been around for long time! The set up is simple, 2 long pits down the middle of the room heated with embers. Surrounding these is seating enough for up to 80 people. Its a great spot for small groups. The restaurant is family owned and their English ability is low, and as the menu is ALL in Japanese. The restaurant can get busy during peak times so the staff don’t have time to translate the menu so its strongly advised to have some Japanese ability!
[the_ad id=”4264″]
BBQ goodness
The main item on the menu is chicken, in large cuts. Side dishes of cabbage, rice and pickled vegetables are also available. After ordering your chicken the waitress will place it on a grate over the fire and season it to perfection. The rest is up to you! Cook your piece as it roasts in its own juices, delicious. Though be warned, it does get smokey and your clothes will smell of BBQ after and it can get hot from the embers but its all worth it! And while your eating to your hearts content, you can wash it all down with a bottle of beer that are available in the fridge. They have tea, and water for non drinkers, or for the designated driver.
Outside, there is a small lake so its a nice spot to walk around and stretch your legs after filling up on BBQ’d chicken, beer and vegetables. This place has a really great atmosphere, from the sooted rafter down to the heated pits running the length of the building.There’s something very satisfying about getting back to basics and sharing a meal around a fire like in the old days. Highly recommended!
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1100 - ¥2000 |
| Opening Hours | 10am - 11pm |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-209-5100 |
| Notes | - |
| Location | 〒060-0005 Hokkaido Prefecture, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, 北5条西2丁目 JR Tower Located on the 6th floor of Stellar Place above Sapporo Station |
Chicken & Veg
Located in the shopping centre, Stellar Place, Soup Curry Tenma is a good restaurant to refuel after a hard days shopping. Soup Curry is famous in Hokkaido and there are a few restaurants spotted around town. Stellar place is right above Sapporo station so its a very easy place to find. The 6th floor is home to a dozen or so restaurants and this is where Soup Curry Tenma is found! It offers up the usual dishes of chicken and vegetables, seafood, and pork soup curry with rice.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Unlike other soup curry restaurants, Tenma also offers other varieties of delicious curry. Curries such as the chicken katsu curry (crispy fired chicken in a curry sauce), 3 cheese curry, keema curry, and butter chicken curry are all on the menu. Soup Curry Tenma has a special lunch menu with a drink set. And to fill up the corners, there are a couple of delicious desserts if one is so inclined! So, after a days shopping Tenma Soup Curry offers a great selection of delicious curries. Enjoy!
| Admission | ¥2000 - ¥4000 depending on show |
| Opening Hours | *6pm - 5 am *depending on event |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-207-5101 Mail : info@mole-sapporo.jp http://mole-sapporo.jp/contact/ |
| Notes | WiFi available |
| Location / Getting There | 〒060-0063 Hokkaido Prefecture, Sapporo, 中央区南３条西２丁目１４ Located in Block 2 in Tanuki Koji |
Sound Lab Mole is a club that is used as an event space for live shows, DJ’s and dance parties. Its a reasonably large space that fits up to 450 people. It has 2 bars, lockers, a large stage, and an upstairs VIP section, and there is some seating but not much so be prepared to be standing most of the night. The sound system is good and the stage is quite large for the many bands and DJ’s that come through this popular venue. Moles monthly schedule is available on their website so you can get the latest news on whats going on! Drinks are the standard prices and tickets usually will incorporate a free drink or two. For those with bags or with heavy jackets during the winter, lockers are available for ¥100 each.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Mole is also available to rent out! If you have the cash you can hire the space for a night. It is costly though, ranging from ¥120 000 (about $1200) to ¥300 000 ($3000 dollars) depending on the night. Obviously, the peak and most expensive times being Friday or Saturday nights. Other than that, Mole serves as a great place to catch some live bands, good DJ’s, and some thumping tunes in all genres. So, put on your dancing shoes, check whats going on and head on down to Sound Lab Mole!
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | 8am - 6pm |
| Closed | Winter |
| Contact | 011-511-3924 |
| Notes | Can walk around but can't enter the actual teahouse |
| Location / Getting There | 〒064-0931 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Nakajimakōen, 1 |
Hasso-an (“eight-window tea house”) is a tea house said to have been designed by the tea master Enshu Kobori (1579-1647) and originally built in Shiga Prefecture. In 1919 Hasso-an was moved to Sapporo where it is located in Nakajima Park. Surrounding Hasso-an there is a small garden which was created in 1989 by Sokei Kobori, a tea master and a 12th generation descendant of Enshu Kobori.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Japanese Gardens
The teahouse is located in the Japanese gardens which were opened in 1963. This tranquil and beautiful garden has a small pond inside and has a collection of stone lanterns modeled on famous originals from around Japan. This is a very relaxing spot to wander around in, particularly in Autumn, where you can see the changing leaves, and a must see. The best time is late October. Make sure you bring your camera! The gardens are closed in the winter.
Click here for more information on Nakajima Park
| Admission | ¥300 per person ¥270 per person for groups of 20 people or more Free for junior high school students and younger |
| Opening Hours | 9am – 5pm (last admission at 4:30pm) |
| Closed | Every second Tuesday of the month (or the following day if Tuesday falls on a holiday) |
| Contact | 011-211-1951 |
| Notes | - |
| Location / Getting There | 9 Chome-2-20 Kita 7 Jōhigashi, Higashi-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 065-8518, Japan. Catch a bus from number four station near the north exit of Sapporo Station, or any Sapporo Beer Factory bus. |
Emperor Meiji
Hoheikan started construction in 1879 and opened in 1881. It is the only hotel built buy the Meiji government and was opened for Emperor Meiji’s visit to Sapporo where he stayed for 4 days. It is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan and is the oldest wooden hotel building in existence in Japan. It was originally located around Odori park but was relocated to Nakajima Park in 1958. It was opened as a civic exchange centre after its restoration in 1958. The whole building was constructed in the American style, but the balcony and its accompaniments at the front of the building was constructed in European style. Its architecture is representative of the early Meiji period and was built using traditional techniques.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Hoheiken showcases a reproduction of the guest room where Emperor Meiji stayed on his visit to Sapporo and there is a video available in the building that shows a short piece on the history of Hoheikan. Hoheikan acts not only as a historical building but as a popular spot for wedding venues. There is a restaurant and cafe, housed in the building, and guests can enjoy snacks here. The restaurant serves Japanese and French cuisine, and uses ingredients harvested in Hokkaidō prefecture!
Click here for more information on Nakajima Park