| Population | 6,374 |
| Size | 763.20 km2 |
| Contact | https://www.city.yubari.lg.jp/ |
| Location / Getting There | By car the distance is about 61 km from Sapporo to Yūbari. Head east. By public transport from Sapporo Station take a train to Shin-Yūbari Station. From Shin-Yūbari Station transfer to a local bus operated by Yutetsu Bus (or other local bus) into Yūbari city centre. ¥3000 – ¥4800. 2 hour travel time. |
Yubari is a fascinating place to visit as it has turned predominantly into a ghost town though there are still a few places to see there. Yubari is most famous for its melons, hence the ‘melon bear mascot’ (which is a must see if you haven’t seen it), and the annual film festival. But first let’s look a little into the history of Yubari. The city was founded on April 1, 1943, as a coal mining town. During this lucrative time Yūbari had as many as 120,000 people. The mines closed in the 1980s, and an attempt was made to convert the economic base to tourism. Subsidies were obtained from the central government and huge debts incurred for the building of tourist attractions, but few visitors came. In 2007 Yubari went into bankruptcy. Walking the now deserted streets, you can see many places falling into disrepair that were once thriving. There are still remnants of the Yubari of old, but it is a lonely place which makes it very unique.
There are still some places to visit here, and there are a couple of reported ‘haunted sites’ in the area. A lot of the infrastructure is unkept and the wild cry of deer in the mountains does add to the atmosphere. It is not all doom and gloom however. There is a ski resort here which is a good place to go to get away from the large crowds. there is the coal mine museum and there are some beautiful old temples, a few restaurants and every year, the Yubari Film Festival is held. In fact, in Quentin Tarantino’s film Kill Bill, one of the characters is named ‘Gogo Yubari’. You need a car to get to Yubari and is an interesting place to walk around, especially in the fall.
Sightseeing
Yubari Coal Mine Haunted School
Food
Nightlife
Shopping
Accommodation
Mount Racey
Temples
Yubari Shrine
Outdoors
Yubari Ski Resort
| Population | 163,084 |
| Size | 619.34 km2 |
| Contact | https://www.city.obihiro.hokkaido.jp/ |
| Location / Getting There | Obihiro is located in central Hokkaido to the south east. It is a 2 and a half hour drive east from Sapporo. By train it takes 3 hours 20 minutes on average. |
Obihiro was the area first settled by Benzo Yoda in May 1883, and became a city on April 1, 1933. In 1957 the villages of Taishō and Kawanishi merged with Obihiro, bringing it to its current size. Obihiro has a large agricultural sector that revolves around large scale farming. The main crops produced are wheat, potatoes, beets, and beans. Obihiro has one of Japan’s cleanest rivers that flows through its city limits. Obihiro is famous for the unique style of horse racing that takes place at the city’s horse racetrack. Hokkaido farmers in the 1900s had tug-of-war contests between their work horses to judge their strength and value. This gradually became a more formalized event and eventually became the racing we know today as Ban’ei horse racing. Obihiro is famous for ‘butadon’ (a glazed pork dish on rice) and mutton which is called ‘Jingisukan’ named after Ghengis Khan. It is also famous for potatoes and dairy products, which are common produce in Tokachi. Obihiro also claims to be the origin of a dish called chuuka chirashi.
Sightseeing
Kofuku Station Obihiro Centennial Hall
Food
Butadon Tonta Indian Curry Tohoko Butadon Ippen
Nightlife
Tokachi No Nagaya & Kita No Yatai
Shopping
Accommodation
Temples
Outdoors
| Population | 239,813 |
| Size | 677.9 km² |
| Founded | 1454 |
| Contact | https://www.city.hakodate.hokkaido.jp/ |
| Location / Getting There | Hakodate is located in southern Hokkaido. From Sapporo ~ By train it takes 3 hours 51 minutes and runs every 2 hours (¥8000 - ¥12000). By bus it takes 5 hours 30 minutes and runs hourly. (¥5000 - ¥9000). By car it takes 3 hours 40 minutes via highway (¥5000). Or it can take 5 to 8 hours using the back roads for free. By plane from New Chitose Airport it is a 30 minute flight. (¥11,000 to ¥49,000) More detailed information at bottom of article. |
Hakodate (like other parts of around Hokkaido) was originally populated by the Ainu and is the third largest city in Hakodate behind Sapporo and Asahikawa. The name “Hakodate” may have originated from an Ainu word, “hak-casi” (“shallow fort”). Hakodate was founded in 1454, when Kono Kaganokami Masamichi constructed a large manor house in the fishing village of Usukeshi, the word for bay in Ainu. The city has a lot of history and is probably most famous for the arrival of U.S ships under Matthew C. Perry, and also the Battle of Hakodate in the Boshin War. This battle was fought between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Imperial Government. Hakodate is a coastal city and sub prefecture. The city is most famous for Mt. Hakodate which offers beautiful night views. The city is also famous for seafood, sushi and salt ramen.
Sightseeing
Cape Tachimachi First Landing in Hakodate Gagyusanmyoshin Temple Girl in Red Shoes Goryokaku Park Grave of Ishikawa Takuboku Hakodate Gokoku Shrine Hakodate Green Plaza Hakodate Park Hekketsu-hi Monument Ika Square & Seaport Park Kankanji Mt. Hakodate Museum Ship Mashu Maru Ochinpo Shrine Saijioji Sakamoto Ryoma Museum Sumiyoshi Shrine Takadaya Kahei & Historical Monument
Food
Gotoken Gram Bay Area Hakodate Yumin Menya Lucky Pierrot Sakae Mochi
Nightlife
Shopping
Hakodate Nishi Hatobe Factory Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
Accommodation
Hakodate Kokusai Hotel Hotel Promote Hakodate Unizo Inn
Temples
Daikanji Sumiyoshi Shrine Gagyusanmyoshin Temple Kankanji Ochinpo Shrine Saijioji
| Population | 1,148 |
| Size | 230 hectares |
| Contact | https://jozankei.jp/ |
| Location / Getting There | Jozankei is located along the banks of the Toyohira River and approximately 26 km south of (or a one hour by drive) from downtown Sapporo. Driving, take route 230 south toJozankei. There are buses direct from Sapporo Station. Take the rapid bus 7J, 7H or 8J. (Buses without a J or H will NOT go to Jozankei). Bus costs ¥1400 to Jozankei. Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2301 |
Jozankei is located an hour south from Sapporo. It is an onsen (hot spring) town. The first hot spring bath opened here in 1866, and since then has become a picturesque town amid a ravine and is part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. This national park is characterized by volcanic activity and it is from this activity that feeds the hot springs of Jozankei. The park includes two of Japan’s most famous caldera lakes, Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya; as well as the Mt. Tarumae, Mt. Yotei and Mt. Usu volcanoes. Jozankei has many hot spring hotels plus other sightseeing spots. Every season brings a different feel to Jozankei, each equally beautiful. The cherry blossoms in spring, the lush greenery in summer, the beautiful autumn foliage, and the winter wonderland all make Jozankei a place worth visiting.
| Population | 157,288 |
| Size | 1,362.90 km2 |
| Contact | https://www.city.kushiro.lg.jp/ Kushiro City Hall - 0154-23-5151 |
| Location / Getting There | Kushiro is located in the south eastern part of Hokkaido. By car, from Sapporo the fastest route is a 4 hour 21 minute drive (tolls included). Head east via route 38. For a long drive you can take the scenic coastal drive down south to Erimo and then across east Kushiro. This coastal drive will take about 8 hours. There is an airport in Kushiro also. |
Kushiro is a small city in the eastern part of Hokkaido and is located on the coast and is the most populated city in eastern Hokkaido. Its history dates back to 1869. Being a port city, it has strong ties to the fishing industry. It is also most famous for the two national parks surrounding the city. These national parks are Kushiro Marsh and Akan Marsh. Kushiro has a main train station, airport and a main road that runs through the center of town, with many temples, museums and restaurants. Food wise, Kushiro is the birthplace of ‘Zangi’ (deep fried chicken) and also ‘SupaKatsu’ (a local dish of spaghetti and fried pork cutlet). So what to do in Kushiro? Read on!
Sightseeing
Friendship Square Kobunka Kushiro City Museum Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO Kushiro Marsh Observatory
Kushiro Shitsugen National Park Nusamai Bridge Nusumai Park Onnenai Visitor Centre Sakaemachiheiwa Park
Food
Nightlife
Accommodation
Hotel Crown Hills Kushiro Kushiro Century Castle Hotel
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Times vary |
| Contact | 011-3622-1099 |
| Notes | Catholic church, parking available |
| Location / Getting There | The church is located in central Kutchan. It is a 13 minute walk from Kutchan station. Can be accessed from route 276 which runs through the center of town. 1 Chome Kita 5 Jonishi, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0055 |
Not only can you find Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples throughout the cities and towns of Hokkaido, but there are also churches where people can practice their faith. Many smaller towns don’t have churches but Kutchan is a larger town and the Kutchan Catholic Church is the main church here. The church is on a large plot of land and is made up of a few buildings, one which also serves as a kindergarten. The church opening times in Sunday say from 9:00 in summer and 10:00 in winter, but it is best to call beforehand as the times may vary.
The church has a small parking area for those driving in. During the warm spring months, there are a couple of cherry blossom trees on the premises. The church has a nice view of Mt. Yotei. Also on the church grounds, you can find a nice statue of the Virgin Mary. The statue has been placed in a small hillock and is surrounded by vines which flower during the summer. The spot makes for a good photo. For those driving, the church is easily accessed from the main road that runs through the town of Kutchan. If you are taking public transport, it is not a far walk from the train station. Alternatively, you can take a taxi during the winter.
