| Cost per night | Free Parking is ¥1000 for cars and ¥300 for bikes from mid July to mid August |
| Open | May 1st - October 31st |
| Contact | 011-3379-2029 |
| Notes | Small campsite Covered cooking area Washing area Toilets Convenience across the road |
| Location / Getting There | By Car (recommended): The drive takes about 1 hour 40 minutes via Route 231 (Ororon Line) heading north towards Hamamasu. By Bus: Public transport is limited. The Engan Bus (沿岸バス) runs a service from Sapporo that stops at the Hamamasu bus stop. This bus typically runs only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (and major holidays), leaving Sapporo at 4:10 PM and returning from Hamamasu at 8:30 AM. From the Hamamasu bus stop, it is a roughly 1.7 km walk south to the park Hamamasuku Kawashimo, Ishikari, Hokkaido 061-3106, Japan |
Kawashimo Beach Park is a peaceful seaside camping destination in Hokkaido, offering visitors a relaxed escape surrounded by natural beauty. Set along a quiet stretch of coastline, the park features open grassy camping areas, easy access to the beach, and scenic ocean views that are especially striking at sunrise and sunset. It’s a great spot for swimming, fishing, and unwinding in a calm, uncrowded environment, making it ideal for both families and solo campers looking to enjoy a simple, nature-focused getaway. There is free parking available and the wide camping area gives you a bit of privacy. Many people who camp here enjoy fishing as it seems a popular spot for it.
| Length | 136 kilometres |
| Things to do | Hiking, photography in autumn, leads to Lake Shuparo which has kayaking and canoeing |
| Getting There | It's located in the center of Yubari. 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. |
The Yūbari River flows through the mountainous heart of Hokkaido, shaping a quiet landscape of forests, valleys, and rugged gorges before joining the Ishikari River. Originating near Mount Hachimori, the river flows through the Yūbari region. Once central to the rise of Yūbari as a coal mining town, it now winds through a region that blends natural beauty with traces of its industrial past. Today, the river and its surroundings—especially areas like Lake Shuparo—offer a peaceful, uncrowded setting ideal for scenic drives, photography, and experiencing a slower, more atmospheric side of Japan. This area is great for nature photographers and hiking and you can get some great photos from the town of Yubari.
| Ski Pass | ¥15000 1 day ticket ¥34000 25 hour ticket ¥90000 Season pass |
| Opening Hours | 09:00 - 20:00 (weather depending |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-136-46-3331 011-136 46-3111 (Reservations Center) https://rusutsu.com/ |
| Accommodation | Rusutsu Resort Hotel The Westin Rusutsu Resort The Vale Rusutsu Camp Village (summer) |
| Getting There | Rusutsu is about a 2 hour drive from Sapporo station. There are a few ways to get to the resort. 1. Direct Ski Bus (Easiest) ⏱Time: ~2 hours 💴Cost: ¥3,000–¥3,500 one way Rusutsu operates official ski buses during the winter season (usually Dec–Apr). Buses depart from Sapporo Station or major hotels (e.g. Sapporo Prince Hotel, ANA Crowne Plaza). Drop-off is directly at Rusutsu Resort Hotel — no transfers. Advance reservations are usually required. Where to book: Rusutsu Official Bus Service or 3rd-party services like Hokkaido Resort Liner, Good Sports, or SkiJapan. 2. Train + Bus Combo (Cheaper but slower) ⏱ Time: ~2.5–3 hours 💴 Cost: ~¥2,500 one way Take a JR train from Sapporo Station → Toya Station (about 1 h 45 min). From Toya Station, take the Donan Bus to Rusutsu Resort (approx 50 min). Note: Service frequency may be limited in winter — check Donan Bus schedules. 3. Private Shuttle or Taxi ⏱ Time: ~1.5–2 hours 💴 Cost: ¥25,000–¥35,000 (one way, car for up to 4 people) Available through services like SkyExpress, Whiteroom Tours, or Hokkaido Resort Liner private charter. 〒048-1711 Hokkaido, Abuta District, Rusutsu, Izumikawa, 13-13 |
There are quite a few ski resorts all over Hokkaido. Rusutsu is one of the more well known ones. It is located only a couple of hours from Sapporo and unlike the Niseko ski resort, it is not as busy though it is getting more popular over the years. There are many options for accommodation at and near the resort. The Rusutsu Resort Hotel, The Westin Rusutsu Resort and The Vale. Other options and one of the best value options is Rusutsu Lodges which is located across the road. The ski fields themselves have 18 lifts in total, which includes 4 gondolas and 14 chairlifts. There are 37 ski runs across its three peaks: West Mountain, East Mountain, and Mt Isola. Ski and snowboard gear is available to rent. For everything including skis or snowboard it will cost up to ¥20,000. The huge resort also has more than 30 restaurants ranging from casual cafés and snack spots to full-service French, Italian, Japanese and buffet-style dining. The resort also has onsens, massage, shopping and rest areas. During the off peak times (summer), the resort extends to things like golf courses, amusement park rides, outdoor activities, and camping.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥660 3 minute horse ride ¥2400 30 minute beginner lesson ¥1600 45 minute experienced lesson ¥3160 30 minute horse trek *children to junior high school students are half price |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 16:30 |
| Closed | Mondays |
| Contact | 0146-42-1131 https://www.shinhidaka-hokkaido.jp |
| Notes | Car parking available. Booking required a day in advance for riding lesson or trek (3 minute ride can be done without a reservation). Beginner and experienced riders are all welcome. Car needed to access. |
| Location | Riding Hills Shizunai is located along the bottom coast of Hokkaido, south east from Sapporo. The drive is about 2 and a half hours from Sapporo, and 2 hours from Chitose. 7-1 Shizunaimauta, Shinhidaka, Hidaka District, Hokkaido 056-0011 |
Shizunai is a beautiful part of Hokkaido along the coast. The drive down is fantastic with views over the Pacific. There are rolling hills and many farms. It is here you can find many horses grazing and running through the pasturelands. This area is home of the “Yushun” which has produced many famous horses. At Riding Hills Shizunai, you can try riding a horse drawn by an instructor, take a beginner’s lesson, or go trekking while enjoying the view on the back of a horse through the magnificent scenery. You can enjoy horseback riding on a wide plateau with the Pacific Ocean right in front of your eyes. Perfect for all ages and all levels. For a very quick taste of horse riding, they have a 3 minute try for ¥660 and no need for a reservation. Other courses, you need a reservation. They have parking here and this facility is near an Ainu Museum, park, and other sightseeing spots. A great day out!
| Admission | - |
| Height | 1,898 meters |
| Hiking Time | 6 - 8 hours to the top |
| Notes | There is a car park, toilet facilities, drinking water and a small campsite. |
| Location / Getting There | The mountain is a 2 hour drive from Sapporo along route 230. To access the Lake Hangetsu trailhead, take Route 5 from Kutchan or Hirafu, and turn left at the Lake Hangetsu entrance. It's 10 minutes by bus from JR Kutchan Station or 15 minutes on foot from Yotei Tozan Exit |
Mount Yotei is an active stratovolcano that can be found in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. It is also known as ‘Ezo Fuji’ (Ezo being the old name for Hokkaido). It is in the top hundred mountains of Japan, and is definitely a breathtaking mountain to look at. This iconic mountain can be seen from all the surrounding farmlands and the ski slopes of the big towns of Hirafu, Niseko, Rusutsu and Kutchan. Not only is its snow covered peak popular in Winter, but the Summer, Spring, and Autumn brings hikers and trekkers to its base as there is a great hiking trail on the western side. From this peak, you will be amazed at the beautiful views from its peak. For those who do decide to trek to the top it takes about seven to ten hours for a round trip. There is a campground near the base as well.
| 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.