| Opening Hours | 8:30 - 17:30 Restaurant & stores |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0136-33-2671 https://ageimo.com/ |
| Notes | Rest stop, sightseeing spot, restaurant, take out food, souvenirs, restrooms |
| Location / Getting There | Nakayama Pass is located on route 230 and is directly between Sapporo & Niseko. It is about a one hour drive from both. 345 Kawakami, Kimobetsu-cho, Abuta District, Kimobetsu, 044-0223 Hokkaido |
Nakayama Pass is also known as Nakayama Toge (toge meaning ‘mountain pass’ in Japanese). This mountain pass acts as a rest stop, shopping spot, restaurant, and sightseeing spot. The pass offers striking views of Mt. Yotei. Mt. Yotei being an active stratovolcano located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. The pass is on the national highway route 230. The pass sees a lot of traffic coming and going as the highway is the link between Sapporo and all the southern districts, mainly Hirafu (Niseko), Lake Toya, Makkari, and Rusutsu. It is also the entrance to the Nakayama Toge ski field.
There is a huge parking area with entrances on both sides. There are a couple of buildings at the pass. It is here you can find a large souvenir store to pick up something on your way through. There are a couple of small take away stores as well. Nakayama Pass is probably best known for its ‘Ageimo’. Ageimo is a potato deep fried in batter (a little dry but popular). These come on a stick and cost ¥350. They also have fried chicken, imomochi (sticky potato cake) and ice-creams. There is also coffee. On the top floor is a small gallery and restaurant with panoramic views over the valley of Kimobetsu.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-3362-3450 http://www.city.ishikari.hokkaido.jp/site/sightseeing-guide/1590.html |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, photography spot, nature walk, parking available, car needed |
| Location / Getting There | Hamanasunooka Park is located along Ishikari Bay. It is a small headland that lies at the mouth of Ishikari River. It is a 50 minute drive north from central Sapporo. 29-1 Hamamachi, Ishikari, Hokkaido 061-3371 |
Ishikari Bay is a scenic spot to the north of Sapporo. Along this coastline you can find a thin and narrow headland that is home to Hamanasunooka Park. This windswept piece of land spreads over 1,500 meters and is formed at the intersection of the Sea of Japan and the Ishikari River. There are 180 species of beach plants that cover this sandy outcrop with 16.5 hectares designated as the Ishikari City Beach Plant Conservation Area. To access this area, there is a wooden walkway that extends from the car park to the point. It is also here you can see the Ishikari lighthouse.
The lighthouse has a history of more than 100 years since its establishment in 1892. Interestingly, the lighthouse was originally striped black and white but was repainted red for a movie in 1957. Every year the lighthouse is open to the public. During June and July the pretty rugosa rose (beach rose) is in bloom. From spring to autumn you can also see other flowers such as viola grayi, beach pea, and bindweed. For bird watchers, continue to the end of the point where there is a vast array of birds to be seen. Last, if you want to put your feet up and take some souvenirs back with you, there is the Hamanasunooka Park Visitor Center. For an escape from the city for some beautiful nature, look no further than Hamanasunooka Park. It is a fantastic day out!
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0136-45-2644 |
| Notes | Buddhist temple, the 9th temple on the 13 Buddha pilgrimage, car needed to get there |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Makkari near Mt. Yotei. It's a 10 minute drive from Rusutsu. From Sapporo [Sapporo (via Nakayama Pass) it takes 1 and half hours. Route 230 to Rusutsu, then Route 66 to Makkari. It is after the "Roadside Station Makkari Flower Center", opposite the "Makkari Post Office". 23 Toyamachi, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5802 |
Shingonin is a Buddhist temple that can be found in central Makkari. It is was constructed in 1917 with the building of the main hall, and was named ‘Shingonin’ at this time. The temple offers nice views of Mt. Yotei that rises up close by. Shingonin has services that can be reserved by the public. These include funeral services, a memorial service one year after the death of a loved one, gravestones and burial. They also offer memorial services for the death of a pet. Prayer services are also offered, for a consultation you need to contact the friendly staff or visit their website.
Prayer services include blessings for a healthy delivery of a baby, blessing for growth (100 days after a child is born), and traffic safety blessings. These blessings cost ¥5000 each. In Buddhism there are the “Thirteen Buddhas”. The thirteen Buddhas protect the deceased. There are 17 temples in Hokkaido that have sacred ground pertaining to the “Thirteen Buddhas”. There is a pilgrimage that can be taken by visiting these 17 temples. Shingonin is the 9th sacred temple on this pilgrimage. For access to the pilgrimage map, you can check here.
| February 1 | 10:00 start. Prayer for the year with the throwing of beans for good luck. |
| March 20 | 13:00 start. A day to thank the teachings of Kobo Daishi Kukai, who passed in March 21, 835. |
| July 15 | 13:00 start. A day to celebrate the birth of Kobo Daishi, who was born on June 15, 774. |
| August 16 | 14:30 start. Obon festival to remembrance of the dead. |
| November 20 | 12:00 lunch start. To thank Kobo Daishi teacher for his teachings. |
| Admission | Annual Pass – 1000 yen Adults – 600 yen Children (under 15) – free Group (30 or more) – 540 yen |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 – 16:00 |
| Closed | December 29, 30, 31 |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | - |
| Location / Getting There | Japan, 〒064-0959 Hokkaido Prefecture, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Miyagaoka, ３−１ On the south-west side of Maruyama Park |
For those who like zoos, there are two main zoos in Hokkaido. One being in Asahikawa, the other being in Maruyama Park in Sapporo. Maruyama Zoo opened its doors to the nation in 1951 on May 5th for children’s day. It is the home to 177 varieties of mammals, birds and reptiles and is currently raising and exhibiting 991 types of living creatures. The zoo is not huge by any standards so it is easy to get around and see everything in a couple of hours. Previously, the zoos enclosures had been criticized for being too small and although work still needs to be done, effort and progress has been made to build larger and more “naturalistic” spaces for the various animals. Work is constantly being done and the enclosures are being upgraded.
The zoos main selling point is the polar bear enclosure. As the polar bear is on the brink of extinction in the wild, zoos may be the only place to see these magnificent animals. Maruyama zoo is a place where you can get up close to see them. Currently residing are a male and a female “Lara”with her two cubs. Breeding polar bears in captivity is quite difficult, but even in the wild numbers have been dwindling due to a deteriorating natural environment. Since the year 2000 only two places in Japan have successfully birthed baby polar bears, Oga Aquarium and Maruyama Zoo. Of these Maruyama Zoo is the only place to have twins! If you want to get even closer to the animals there is a petting zoo for the young kids. Fortunately, this is not the Hokkaido brown bear or the tigers, but mostly farm animals. The petting zoo is home to sheep, chickens, geese and a plethora of other small cute animals. The zoo has various events during the day, with a zoo keeper feeding the animals and talking about them (in Japanese).
If you cant speak Japanese its still a good time to see the animals having a feed. Afterwards, if you are getting a little peckish yourself, then there are a few restaurants, snack shops and even a convenience store on the grounds. Overall, for a cheap day out, the price is very affordable to see and learn about some animals you’ve never seen close up before.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-611-0261 http://www.hokkaidojingu.or.jp/ |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, wedding venue |
| Location / Getting There | The shrine is located at the top of Maruyama Park. It is a 8 minute walk from Maruyama Subway station. 474 Miyagaoka, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0959 |
Hokkaido Shrine was constructed in 1871 to hold the deities, Ōkunitama, Okuninushi, and Sukunahikona, and also the soul of the Meiji Emporer. It is the main Shrine of Hokkaido and a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. It is located in Maruyama Park (Maruyama Koen) on the West side of Sapporo. The shrine is well worth a look in all seasons, especially Spring. It is surrounded by 1,500 cherry blossom trees which usually bloom early to mid May. During this time thousands of locals have their Hanami (flower viewing parties) and the temple is a great backdrop.
In early Summer the Sapporo Festival is held which sees portable shrines carried around the city and stalls set up near the Shrine. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day is also a popular time where families will go to pray.At the shrine you are free to walk around in the courtyard where you can take photos, purchase fortune tokens, and see the occasional traditional Japanese wedding. Don’t be surprised to see a monk blessing a car out the front either as some new car owners pay for this ceremony. The shrine is located in Maruyama Park (Maruyama Koen) which is located on the west side of Sapporo. The main way to get there is to take the subway from Odori Subway Station and take the Tozai Line (Orange line) to Maruyama Koen which is 3 stops away. After exiting it’s a 15 minute walk west through Maruyama Park. Keep heading up the path which is lined with huge Elm and Cider trees. Along the way you will see various smaller shrines.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0136-22-0352 https://konpirajikuchan.jimdofree.com/ |
| Notes | - |
| Location / Getting There | Located at the north end of the town of Kutchan. It's a 15 minute wlka from the centre of town or a 20 minute walk from Kutchan train station. 〒044-0057 Hokkaido, Abuta District, Kutchan, Kita 7 Jonishi, 1 Chome−８ |
Konpira Temple (or better known as ‘Konpiraji’ in Japanese) is a buddhist temple. It is the main temple in Kutchan and is a good place to visit while in town. It makes for a good spot to get some photos or to experience a little of the Japanese culture. A statue of the founding priest was constructed at the foot of Mt. Konpira which can be found at Lake Toya. Every year, at the temple, the annual Konpira Temple Festival is held. This festival celebrates Autumn and heralds the coming of winter. It is a three day festival and is held on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of October.
Being a buddhist temple, they have many statues around the grounds. The most common being the Ojizo-sama. These are usually small statues that have a child like appearance. They are often dressed in a red bib. This practice is believed to have begun when grieving parents who had lost a child put the deceased child’s bib on a Jizo statue in the hope their child would be protected in the other world. To get to the temple it is a fifteen minute walk from centre of Kutchan, or a five minute drive.It is located just to the north of central Kutchan. It is easily accessed as it lies at the end of the main street that runs through the town.
