| Admission | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0134-27-1133 |
| Notes | Shopping street, sightseeing spot, historical landmarks, photography spot |
| Location / Getting There | Located in Otaru. The street is down near the harbor. It is a 18 minute walk down from Otaru station. From Sapporo station, take the JR line to Otaru. Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027 |
Otaru is a beautiful harbor town. It is one of those places that has managed to preserve a lot of its history. You can find many old buildings where you can take a stroll back in time here. Sakaimachi street is a hugely popular tourist spot for those who are visiting Otaru. It is here you can find souvenir shops, museums, restaurants, historical buildings, and landmarks. Many of these restaurants and stores are in these historical buildings, many being converted from old warehouses. So, not only can you do some shopping and dining, but you can also get some great photos while on your travels.
Many of the shops along this road sell goods that are connected with Otaru and its history. Being a seaside town, there are plenty of sushi restaurants and crab stores. Glass blowing can also be found in Otaru, so there are many glass and ornamental boutiques. To get to Sakaimachi street from Otaru train station, it is a short walk. After exiting the station it is a ten minute walk straight down heading towards the harbor. One block before reaching Otaru canal, turn right and you will reach the street. For those driving, there are a few paid parking areas around the area.
| Opening Hours | 7:00 - 21:00 |
| Closed | – |
| Contact | 011-578-3361 http://www.mit-ueki.com/ishiyama_shisetu.html |
| Notes | Autumn is best time, parking available for 46 cars, walking paths, sculptures, restrooms on site, car needed, wheelchair access, tennis courts, gateball field, |
| Location / Getting There | The park is a 25 minute drive south from Sapporo. On the east side of Toyohira, take route 453 and it's on the right after crossing over the overhead bridge. Take the Chuo Bus Karumanuma Line (Shin-101) or Takino Line (Shin-102) from the Subway Namboku Line "Makomanai Station" and get off at "Ishiyama Higashi 3-chome". 4 minutes on foot 78 Ishiyama, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 005-0849 |
Ishiyama Green Space is a fantastic area to walk around, explore and relax. It has a real unearthly feel to it as the park is surrounded by sheer, white rock topped with overhanging trees. There are also beautiful and interesting sculptures placed around the park and are built into the landscape, adding to the mystique and beauty. The park was originally a soft rock mining site and in 1993 it was transformed into its current look. This park is definitely a must see during the autumn as the changing leaves add a vibrant color in contrast to the white cliffs!
The park is split into two sections with a small road dissecting the space. There is parking on both sides. The northern park has a lookout point which offers great views down the valley that leads to Jozankei. It is also on this side you can find a play area for the kids, plus there are tennis courts that can be rented out for ¥620 per hour. There is also a gateball (a kind of croquet style game) field here. The southern section of Ishiyama Green Space has paths and sculptures that wind around by ten meter white rock cliffs. This space has areas to sit, to walk around and explore this amazing space.
| Admission | Free ¥500 parking |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Closed | Beginning of July to the end of July |
| Contact | 011-622-5167 |
| Notes | Photography spot, sightseeing spot, parking available, taxi ride to site needed or own transport |
| Location / Getting There | Located in the western hills overlooking Sapporo. It is a 15 minute drive from Maruyama subway station past the zoo. Hiring a taxi is an alternative option, there is a taxi stand at the gardens. 471-110 Bankei, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0945 |
To see beautiful fields of lavender with stunning views, you don’t need to travel all the way to Furano. Sapporo has a secret spot where you can enjoy these beautiful lavender fields, and its right on the edge of town! If you only have a couple of days in Sapporo you can simply take a quick subway ride and then take a taxi to the Horomitoge Lavender Gardens. The gardens were created in 1987. Originally, there were only 120 lavender plants. This number has now grown to an impressive 5,000. It is a great place to wander around and get some stunning photos.
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Not only do the Horomitoge Lavender Gardens have beautiful flowers, but from the top of the hills here, you can get some sweeping views over the city of Sapporo. On the crest of the hill there is a large tree which is the centre piece of the gardens and creates a beautiful photography spot, so make sure you bring your camera! For ¥500 you can cut and take some lavender home. Why not take some of fragrance home or give it as a gift. There are also some lavender products and postcards to buy from a small store located in the gardens. And it being summer, there is a an ice cream shop set up.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Grounds open all day |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0167-52-2115 (Travel Tourism) |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, lavender blooms from late June to end of July |
| Location / Getting There |
The Lake Kanayama Lavender Fields are found on the shores of Kanayama Lake and are a great spot to get some good photos, and enjoy the gardens that have been made there. The lavender fields are in full bloom from the end of June and can be viewed until early August. Why not stop in while driving from Sapporo to Furano. The lavender gardens are nice in a beautiful area, and unlike other flower gardens in central Furano, they are not crowded and there is a lot of space to wander around at your leisure! What also makes these gardens unique, they overlook Kanayama Lake and have the mountains in the background making for the perfect backdrop.
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With plenty of parking, and just being right off route 465, the Lavender Fields are an easy spot to visit. Just make sure to bring the camera! There are a few benches plus a covered table so you can take a seat and enjoy the scenic views. It makes the perfect spot to have some lunch or a picnic. Behind the lavender fields on the other side of the road, there is the Kodakara Shrine. This quaint shrine is surrounded by forest. Though beware, the shrine is home to a huge ants nest and the ground is crawling with ants. So while sightseeing, you will have to move quick! The lavender fields are a few minutes walk away from Kanayamakohan Camping Ground so if you have the time, why not stay the night and relax.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | All day |
| Closed | November to April |
| Contact | 0142-66-4200 |
| Notes | Light walking trails, photography spot, parking available for 20, small shrine at park, plum tree viewing (mid May) |
| Location / Getting There | 12 minute drive east from Toyako Onsen. Heading east, the access road is on the right (with the lake on the left) 〒052-0104 Hokkaido, Usu District, Sobetsu, 町東湖畔 |
huge maps – google map here
Sobetsu park is a beautiful hilltop park that commands some of the best of views of Lake Toya. Not only can you see the lake in its glory, but there are views of the volcano, Mount Usu. And in good weather, you can see Mount Yotei and the Niseko mountain range in the distance. Sobetsu Park is most famous for its views during the spring. During mid May, the three hundred plum blossoms are in full bloom making the park a particularly popular spot for photographers from all over. You can get some great photos of the blossoms with the lake in the background!
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The park is huge and runs up the whole mountain and is adorned with a couple of sculptures. There is a narrow road that leads to the top where you can find parking for about twenty cars. Due to the winding road, it is inaccessible by bus. At the top, there are a few benches and tables and makes for a good picnic spot. Sightseers can also find a small shrine at the top here, which is surrounded, interestingly, by cut out steel swords and knives that have been placed on the fence. In the centre of the shrine, there is a warrior like statue. Sobetsu Park is a great place to take in the views!
| Places of Interest | Kanayama Lavender Fields Kanayama Dam Kodakara Shrine Kanayamo Forest Park Camping Ground |
| Notes | Walking trails, National park, Camping grounds, Canoeing |
| Getting There | Located along route 465 in Minami Furano (South Furano) district. 2 hour drive north east from Sapporo. 40 minute drive south from Furano. Closest station is Higashi-Shikagoe Station, along the Nemuro line. 5 minute walk to the lake from the station. |
In Central Hokkaido located in the district of Minami Furano you can find the impressive Lake Kanayama. This narrow lake stretches for about ten kilometers and is surrounded by wooded mountains. It is formed from the Sorachi River among half a dozen others. It is a very picturesque place to visit, and is a good stop over point of you are driving from Sapporo to Furano via the backroads. On its central northern edge there is the Kanayama Forest Park, which is home to the Kanayamakohan Camping Ground, plus the beautiful Lake Kanayama Lavender Fields. On the eastern edge of the lake, there is the Kanayama Dam.
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Along the lake you can often find a few fishermen, but if you want to get a closer look on the lake , then there is a fun canoeing tour that is available for the public! To rent out the canoes, you can talk to the staff at the Kanayama Camping Ground, as this is where the tour starts. The large canoes fit a maximum of five people (2 adults and 3 children) and the tour is overseen by a guide. Tours are from April to September and run for 1 hour 30 minutes. The canoes are available from 6:00 until 16:00. Guide, insurance, plus equipment is all included in the price, which is ¥5000 per canoe (cash only). There are five canoes so a maximum of up to 25 people!
