Category: Outdoors
Koganeyu Sakura no Mori Park
Admission | - |
Opening Hours | 8:00 - 18:00 |
Contact | 011-578-3361 |
Notes | Walking paths, restrooms, free parking, picnic spot, cherry blossom viewing, autumn trees, scenic spot, no public transport |
Location / Getting There | The park is about a 45 minute drive from Sapporo. Take Ishiyama Dori (route 230) south west, heading towards Jozankei. The park is 10 minutes before Jozankei on the left hand side. There are no train stations near here. 604-2 Koganeyu, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2274 |
This park is a popular place to enjoy some outdoor scenery. Koganeyu Sakura no Mori Park is especially beautiful in the spring and the autumn. The spring time sees the arrival the cherry blossoms that come out early May. This is a nice space to walk around and enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom. There are a few walking paths around the park plus there are large well kept grass areas to enjoy. These spaces are the perfect spot to have a picnic or sit and lay down on a blanket and take in the fresh air. This is not a busy park and is great for couples or for kids to run around.
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The autumn here is equally as good as the spring. The changing of the leaves here is beautiful as there is a backdrop of the mountain foliage across the river on the other side of the road. This park is also surrounded by orchards as well. Walking around this park with the changing leaves and a brisk breeze is fantastic. There is a main path that heads up at an incline to the top of the park. At the top, there are some benches under an awning to rest and get a view of the whole park.
Otaru Dream Beach
Admission | Free |
Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
Closed | - |
Notes | Beach, camping area, paid parking, BBQ spot, swimming spot, small bars in the summer |
Location / Getting There | Otaru dream beach is about a 40 minute drive north west from Sapporo. A car is preferable. For those taking public transport, you need to take a train (Hakodate Line) to Otaru and get off at Hoshioki station. From there it is a 50 minute walk so a taxi would be better. Alternatively, the bus near Hoshioki station is No.81, and that is 5 stops, and from then it is a 30 minute walk to the beach. 3, 70 Zenibako, Otaru, Hokkaido, 047-0261 Japan |
There are two main beaches that the locals of Sapporo go to during the summer. One being Aso Beach Ishikari and the other is Otaru Dream Beach. Ishikari Beach is a quieter and more relaxing place to spend a summer day, where as Otaru Dream beach is a busier spot with more of a party atmosphere. This is mainly due to the fact there are more beach bars that line the sand. These bars serve as small places that serve food and BBQ supplies plus offering tables for beach goers to cook their own food. They also serve alcohol for those to enjoy.
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The ‘beach bars’ are slightly run down and serve only as temporary bars and eateries for a couple of months. They are open until the evening and sometimes kick on until late at night. There is also the occasional beach party event. There is no real accommodation around this long beach but there is a camping ground on the beach. This costs around ¥1000 but if you come late, then you can avoid this. Also parking for cars is about ¥500 for the day. There are signs and collectors near the entrance. This beach is mainly for a younger crowd who enjoy the BBQs and although it is not a particularly clean beach, it is a fun beach. If you are looking for something quieter, Then Ishikari Beach is a better option.
Mt. Teine
Height | 1,023 metres |
Length | 10km round trip |
Hiking Time | Summer - 3 hours to summit |
Notes | Hiking trail, popular ski field in winter, car access |
Location / Getting There | To hike the trail during summer. Drive to Heiwa no Taki (peace waterfall). This drive is a 30 minute drive east from central Sapporo. From the shrine near the waterfall you can find the trail head. During winter, it is a 1 hour drive from central Sapporo. The easiest route is to get on route 5 and then turn left onto the road that leads up to the mountain top. Heiwa, Nishi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 063-0029 |
Mt Teine is a very popular mountain on the western outskirts of the city of Sapporo. The mountain has an elevation of 1,023 meters, or 3,356 feet. This mountain is busy during summer as well as winter. During the winter months Mt Teine serves as a ski resort which sees thousands of locals and visitors enjoying the ski slopes whether it be skiing, or snowboarding. Mt Teine was one of the sites of the first Winter Olympics held in Asia, in 1972. This mountain hosted the giant slalom and slalom events in alpine skiing.
During the summer months there are hiking trails that lead to the summit of the mountain. For those who don’t wish to hike the trail (which takes about 2 hours to the top), there is an access road which can be used to drive up where you can enjoy the views over Sapporo and Ishikari Bay. The trail head can be found at Heiwa no Taki (peace waterfall). There is parking here and you can find the trail next to an old shrine here. Along the path you can see the Nunojikino Falls, a small waterfall, plus along the path you can pick wild vegetables including mushrooms. The trail turns into a rocky slope near the top so be sure to wear suitable foot wear.
Aso Beach Ishikari
Admission | Free |
Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
Closed | - |
Contact | 0133-62-4611 |
Notes | Beach, swimming spot, jogging spot, sunset views, paid parking available, car needed |
Location / Getting There | The beach is located to the west of Sapporo. It is a 55 minute drive from central Sapporo 〒040-0034 Hokkaido, Hakodate, Omoricho, 22, Unnamed Road |
There are two main beaches that Sapporo locals head to for a summer suntan, swim or BBQ. One being near Otaru called Zenibako Beach, and the other being Aso Beach at Ishikari. Whereas Zenibako has more of a party vibe to it with the small shacks selling booze with tables and BBQ spots, Aso Beach is a lot more serene with less people. The surf itself is very calm and quiet and not very deep. It is best to bring some form of shade as there are no trees around and the beach can get quite hot in the summer.
The beach is open to camping and it must be said, that the sunsets here are absolutely beautiful. There are stores or camping supplies so make sure to bring all you own gear. There are paid parking spots that cost about ¥500 for the day and not a far walk from the beach. Other places of note include Hamanasu No Oka Park, and the Ishikari lighthouse. For bird watchers too, this area is bustling with wildlife. There is also an Onsen hotel nearby. Aso Beach is a tranquil beach and offers view of the whole of Ishikari Bay.
Hyakuninhama Auto Camping Ground
Cost per night | ¥5,330 Bungalow (1 building for 4 people) ¥2,660 Bungalow day trip ¥3,190 Auto site ¥310 Tent area (per person) ¥200 Tent area (per chilld) |
Open | Gate is open from 7:00 - 19:00 April 20th - October 20th |
Closed | Winter |
Contact | 011-4664-2168 https://www.town.erimo.lg.jpl |
Notes | Mountain campsite, washing area, toilets, parking, cabins, own transport needed, camping gear available to rent (see end of article) |
Location / Getting There | The campsite is just on the eastern side of Cape Erimo. It's a 10 minute drive from the cape. From Sapporo, take route 336 along the coast. It is a 4 hour drive. 102-5 Shoya, Erimo, Horoizumi District, Hokkaido 058-0421 |
This is one of the only campgrounds in the district of Erimo. It’s just past Cape Erimo and is a great spot to set up in the lush, well maintained camp sites. If traveling from Sapporo, it’s a good distance to reach by the afternoon after a nice coastal drive, and set up for the evening. There are a hundred camping spots to choose from plus there are a nineteen wood cabins that fit up to four people. Customers staying at the site will be issued free coupons for the Park Golf down the road, and for ‘Kaze no Yakata’ (wind museum) on Cape Erimo.
The cabins here have bunks but there are no mattresses or bedding so be sure to bring something to sleep on. (Sleeping mats are available from the office). The cabins have power sockets which is handy. The campsite has all the facilities you could need. There are areas for washing and cleaning, plus washing machines for those on a long road trip and showers. The toilets are clean and well maintained and easily accessed. For those who need extra items for their stay, then these are available at the main office. The friendly staff here are more than happy to help you with any enquiries. The trees and small paths that wind through the campground make this area a nice place to relax and enjoy some camping.
Rental tent (1 tent for 4 people) | ¥1050 |
Sleeping bag (1 set) | ¥520 |
Sleeping mat (1 sheet) | ¥200 |
Shower room | ¥200 |
Washing machine | ¥200 |
Simple Furnace | ¥200 |
Charcoal (3 kg) | ¥600 |
Cooking utensil set (1 set for 4 people) | ¥520 |
Gas stove set (1 unit) | ¥840 |
Cassette cylinder | ¥310 |
Lantern (with battery) | ¥630 |
Electric stove (1 unit) | ¥630 |
Detergent | ¥50 |
Dryer | ¥100 |
Ōmori Beach
Admission | Free |
Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
Closed | - |
Notes | Beach, jogging spot, BBQ spot, swimming spot |
Location / Getting There | Located in Hakodate. The closest tram station is Matsukaze-cho Station. It is a 7 minute walk east from this station. 〒040-0034 Hokkaido, Hakodate, Omoricho, 22, Unnamed Road |
Ōmori Beach is a beach located on the eastern side of the main headland that makes up the city of Hakodate. The beach runs or about three kilometers with a majority of the rural housing running alongside it. The beach is your typical beach in Hokkaido. The sands are not pristine but it is a popular spot during the short summer months on the northern island. There is no official parking spot but there are plenty of places to park on the side streets that run adjacent to the beach.
This beach is good for taking a stroll with views along the coast to Mt. Hakodate in the south. For those wanting for more of a fitness kick, it’s also a good beach to run along. In the summer, there are places to have a picnic or a small BBQ with friends. Unfortunately, there are very little restaurants or cafes along this beach. There are a couple of hotels close by. The beach is a short walk from the streetcar station, Matsukaze-cho Station. The beach also offers up some nice sunset views to enjoy at dusk.