| Admission | Free entry |
| Opening Hours | Early to mid February 5pm – 9pm |
| Closed | – |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | - |
| Location / Getting There | Otaru Canal Area |
The OTARU SNOW LIGHT PATH FESTIVAL is an annual festival that runs for 10 days in February and coincides with the SAPPORO WINTER FESTIVAL. The festival started in 1999 and has been running for 17 years. It enjoys around 500 000 visitors a year. Otaru is a small fishing village located about 30 minutes by train from Sapporo. It’s a picturesque town year around, particularly its canal area that’s lined with old warehouses that have been renovated into restaurants and shops.
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To get to Otaru simply take the train from Sapporo station. There are multiple trains per hour between Sapporo and Otaru along the JR Hakodate Main Line. The one way trip costs 640 yen and takes 30 minutes by rapid train or 45 minutes by local train. This by far the easiest and fastest way to get to the festival. For those with cars take the Sasson Highway. Its a pleasant drive and takes about 40 minutes, traffic depending. There is parking available down near the docks located a few blocks past the canal.
During the festival the city is decorated with lights, candle lit lanterns, and snow sculptures. The main venues are the historic OTARU CANAL and the former JAPAN NATIONAL RAILWAYS TEMIYA LINE. The canal is lined with candles and offers a great place to take photos and take in the sight of the warehouses reflected on the calm water. To get to the canal from the train station simply take the main exit and head directly straight for about 8 blocks. Just keep following the incline down to the small canal.
The former TEMIYA RAILWAY LINE SITE is a street cutting across the city. The service of the line was terminated finishing its role in 1985, but the track remains as a precious relic of railway. During the winter the old tracks are buried beneath the snow and the street is home to various snow sculptures and lanterns hanging from the bare branches of the trees. The view is quite stunning as the thousands of candles fade away into the distance. The site is located about halfway between the canal and OTARU train station. Its not hard to miss as there are throngs of people wandering down this old pathway.
Lanterns illuminating the street
This is a festival well worth a look. It offers nice views for the families and romantic walks for couples. There are plenty of photo opportunities and there are great sushi and seafood restaurants around the canal and its surrounding streets. The prime time is just after sunset as the volunteers tirelessly light the thousands of candles throughout the city of OTARU. Though not part of the festival, the docks are also a nice place to have a look and to take a break from the large crowds, especially in the evening. A quieter part of the town, its nice to have a wander along the calm ocean waters and look at the various fishing vessels and warehouses.
Nakajima Park during autumn
At one time Nakajima park was originally a lumber yard but after it stopped being used the locals put forth the notion that it be turned into a park so in 1887 Nakajima park was born. Covering 21 hectares Nakajima is one of the main parks situated in southern Sapporo. It’s a great place to experience all the seasons and there is a lot to do and see. In the snowy winter, the park offers a cross-country skiing course with free access to equipment, such as shoes, skis, and poles, so you don’t have to go all the way to the slopes to enjoy winter sports. In the spring Nakajima park has a large array of cherry blossoms and is a beautiful area to walk around and take photos.
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Beautiful cherry blossoms in early May
The park has about 5,000 trees, including the Japanese red spruce, yew, gingko Ezo mountain cherry, and the Japanese elm and wisteria. During summer Sapporo holds the Hokkaido Shrine Festival. The festival has events around Sapporo and Nakajima Park is no exception. Its walkways and roads are bustling with shops, and stalls, game stands and a couple of haunted houses and rides for the kids. It’s a busy time with throngs of people flocking to Nakajima Park to enjoy the festivities. Autumn, as with spring, is a good time to walk around the park and take in the amazing hue of the autumn leaves. Not a bad place for a picnic, or to relax by the large inner pond in the warm autumn sun.
Shobu Pond By spring after Shobu pond has opened up and the ice has melted, boats are available for rental to paddle around. For 40 minutes you can relax on the water. Great place for a date and to enjoy the spring air. Brinf some bread and feed the ducks. For more information, check out our boating article.
Hoheikan Building.This historical building and was built in 1880 and served as a guest house and hotel. Famous as it is the oldest wooden hotel in Japan and was opened to commemorate the arrival of Emperor Meiji. He stayed here for 4 nights. It now serves mainly as a wedding spot and is classed as an important cultural property. For more information check out Hoheikan Building
Japanese Garden.This was opened in 1963 and houses the Hassaon (literally meaning “the eight window hut”) tea house. The tea house was designed in the Edo period and was moved to Sapporo in 1919. Hassoan is opened from the end of April to the early part of November. Entry into the hut is not permitted but you are able to look into the house through three shoji that are kept opened. Tea ceremonies several times a year. For more information check out Japanese Garden & Tea House
Kitara Concert Hall The park contains the
Sapporo Concert Hall, also known as “Kitara”. Opened in 1997, it is the largest concert hall in Hokkaido, and houses a large main hall, small chamber music hall, and rehearsal rooms. A restaurant, nursery room, and museum shop are also located in the building.
| Admission | Ropeway + Morris Car (Round trip): Adults ¥1,700 Children ¥850 Road : Car ¥660 Motorbike ¥320 Mini Bus ¥1340 |
| Opening Hours | Summer: 10:30 – 22:00 (last departure 21:30) Winter: 11:00 – 22:00 (last departure 21:30) Sightseeing road: Summer Season 10:30 – 22:00 (last admission 21:30) |
| Closed | Sightseeing road: Closed Winter |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | - |
| Location / Getting There | 1 Moiwayama, Minami-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 005-0041, Japan |
Mt Moiwa reaches a height of 531 metres and is located on the south east range overlooking Sapporo. Its Ainu name is “Inkarushibe” and it was explored by Takeshiro Matsuura in the late-Edo period where he noted “Mt. Moiwa was not only a mountain upon which to command a view of the surroundings, but was also held as a sacred mountain where the gods dwell by the Ainu people.”
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Ropeway up!
The summit offers spectacular views of Sapporo and its outlying towns and the breathtaking night views of the illuminated cityscape below are not to be missed. From the base of the mountain the ropeway will steadily climb to the halfway point. From there visitors will change and take the “Morris Car”, the world’s first drive-type mini cable car to the summit.
For those wishing to wine and dine or even to have a special luncheon then JEWELS restaurant offers lunches and dinners on the summit. To make sure you get the best seats in the house with views through the floor to ceiling windows, booking in advance is a good idea. The halfway station has a souvenir shop and also houses a planetarium and theater. The planetarium holds nature documentaries that correspond with the seasons.
| ACCESS | |
| Subway | Take the JR bus Ropeway Sen from the 2nd exit of the Maruyama Park Station which is on the Tozai line (orange line), then get off at the stop Moiwa Sanroku Eki (Mt. Moiwa Base Station). |
| Streetcar | From Susukino or Odori stations, take the streetcar line to "Ropeway Iriguchi" station (25 minutes, 170 yen, frequent departures). From there, a free shuttle bus operates to the lower ropeway station (5 minutes, departs every 20 minutes). Alternatively, the Mount Moiwa Ropeway can be reached in a five minute walk from the Ropeway Iriguchi streetcar stop. (The streetcar comes at 6 minute intervals during the day, making it more convenient than the bus.) |
| Taxi | Approximately 1,500 yen from the city center to the Moiwa Sanroku Eki (Mt. Moiwa Base Station). |
| Parking | Sanroku Eki (Mt. Moiwa Base Station): 120 cars (Free) |
| Hiking | This mountain is a popular climbing destination for the citizens of Sapporo: the five mountain trails (shortest 2.4km; longest 4.5km) are hike-able in casual clothing and are popular with mountain climbers during the summer weekends. |
| Admission | Elevator fees : Adults ¥700 High School Students ¥600 Junior High School Students ¥400 Elementary School Students ¥300 Children ¥100 |
| Opening Hours | 9 am to 9 pm daily : late April to late October. 9 am to 10 pm daily : July to August. 9:30 pm to 9 pm daily : late October to late April. |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | - |
| Location / Getting There | Soseigawa Dori, 1 Chome Ōdōrinishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 060-0042, Japan |
The heart of SAPPORO is basically divided into three areas. Sapporo station to the north, Odori in the centre, and Susukino to the south. The central park of Sapporo, ODORI PARK, with its grass lawns, fountains, and benches runs through Sapporo east to west for 10 blocks. It is a popular spot throughout the year and is home to many of Sapporos seasonal festivals. At the eastern most side is TV TOWER which serves as a famous landmark in Sapporo. Built in 1957, the tower raises to a height of 142 metres.
Downtown Sapporo from the observation deck
Ate the base below the tower there is a large open courtyard which is used for events, mainly in the warmer seasons. The entrance has a game corner and a small souvenir shop. On the 1st floor there is a larger souvenir shop where mascot souvenir characters and other items of Hokkaido can be bought. There is also a restaurant on this level offering views over the park. It serves as a nice place to eat, relax, and enjoy the view of ODORI PARK. This floor has the ticket counter for purchasing tickets for the observatory floor 90 metres above. The staff are very friendly and speak English. The observation deck is 90 metres up and offers great views of Sapporo city in every direction. Winter is a particularly nice season to get great views of the winter festival. The tower is specially illuminated in blue from 6pm to 8pm.
Odori park
Lake Shikotsu (Shikotsuko) is located in the Shikotsu–Toya national park. This lake as with Lake Toya, is a caldera lake, which was formed from collapses in the earth after volcanic activity. It has an average depth of 265 metres (869 feet) and a maximum depth of 363 metres (1,191 feet), making it the second deepest lake in Japan. It is encircled by mountains. One being the active volcano, Mount Tarumae, which last erupted in 1981. Most of Shikotsuko is little developed except for Shikotsu Kohan, a small, touristy town with a visitor centre, restaurants, hot springs and a small number of lodgings along the lake’s western shores.
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From here you can rent paddle boats, bicycles and scuba gear to explore the crystal clear waters of Shikotsu. Sightseeing cruises of the lake are offered in glass bottomed boats from mid April to early November. In summer there are camping grounds on the Western and Northern banks and is a great place to camp and relax by the calm waters, have a BBQ, light fireworks and swim in the fresh waters. Hiking is also popular and if you have access to a car you can get to the trailhead of Mount Tarumae. The mountain can be climbed in a steep but short ascent in less than an hour. It is not permitted to enter the crater of Mount Tarumae due to poisonous gases though you can trek around the crater which takes about 2 hours. At the top, the mountain offers impressive views of the deserted crater landscape and over Lake Shikotsuko.
On the northern shore stands MARUKAMA ONSEN. This inn is open to guests and to non-staying visitors. The hots springs are located right on the lake waters and offer a relaxing warm bath while enjoying the outside air and beautiful lake views. Conventional hot spring pools are also inside which are gender separated. On the southern shore Morappu Campsite, is located.
Hours and Fees
Marukoma Onsen (for non-staying guests)
HOURS 10:00 to 15:00
COST 1000 yen
Another site of interest is KOKE NO DOMON or MOSS CANYNON. This gulley with a rich variety of plant life lining its walls is located 10 kilometres south of the lake. There is a platform from which to view this moss covered gulley.
Koke no Domon Moss Canyon
HOURS 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:00)
CLOSED Late October to early June
To get to Shikotsu Lake from Sapporo follow highway 453. This takes about 40 minutes. . In the summer, there is also a bus from Sapporo Terminal. From the New Chitose Airport, it takes about one hour. There are four to six buses daily. It takes about one hour and costs ¥1030. Buses will also stop at Chitose station on the way. It takes about 45 minutes and ¥930 to get from Chitose Station to the lake.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | 1100 – 1500 yen |
| Opening Hours | Lunch 11:30 – 15:30 Dinner 17:30 – 23:30 (last order 23:00) |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | This soup curry is amazingly popular. Peek times may require up to 1 hour wait to be seated. |
| Location / Getting There | South 3 West 2 |
Nice design
Hokkaido is famous for its food, especially its seafood and ramen (Chinese noodles) AND its soup curries which originated in Hokkaido. Soup curry, as the name mentions, is a delicious bowl of a spicy soupy broth with a mix of vegetables and a selection of either chicken, pork, or vegetables. It also comes with a side dish of steamy rich. Soup curry is popular in Hokkaido and though many have their own favourite soup curry restaurant everyone can agree there is nothing like a good soup curry, especially on a chilly winter evening.
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English menu
GARAKU Soup Curry is one of many soup curries around Sapporo and is located, conveniently, in the middle of Sapporo. The delicious soup curry aroma hits you as soon as you assail the narrow stairs that leads down to GARAKU. It offers the standard, chicken, pork, mushroom, vegetable, and cheese with bacon and tomato dishes. GARAKU can claim to offer the highest spice levels in Sapporo which ranges from 1 – 5 for the normal diner, 6 – 19 for those who like the heat, and 20 – 40 for those who enjoy the pain! There is a menu in English but the spice level only goes up to 5 on this so be aware that you CAN order up to 40 if so desired. Also offered on the menu is a selection of spirits, beer and lassis, plus fried chicken. At the register, soup curry sets are available for around 500 yen a box, so its possible to take the experience home!
Fried chicken
The head chef at GARAKU is well renowned for his culinary skills and this is a popular place so be warned, be prepared to wait!! The restaurant is not a huge place and seats up to around 50. Depending on the times and days, around 6pm you can expect to find a table almost straight away. Around 7pm however, especially on the weekends, don’t be surprised to see a line of people flowing out and up the stairwell. The wait can be from anywhere from 30 minutes to 50 minutes but if you don’t mind the wait, the fine feast at the end is well worth it!
