Category: Sightseeing
Jozankei Dam
Admission | Free |
Opening Hours | From the middle of May to the end of October 9:00 - 16:00 |
Closed | - |
Contact | 011-598-2513 Jozankei Dam museum http://jozankei.jp/en/jozankei-dam/288 |
Notes | Free parking Car needed |
Location / Getting There | 061-2302 Sapporo, Hokkaido , Minami-ku Jozankei 8 10 minute drive from Jozankei |
Jozankei Dam is a great sightseeing spot. Completed in 1989 and measuring at 117 metres, it offers fantastic views over Lake Sapporo and down the river in which it feeds into. Not only does Jozankei Dam have great views, but it also has a museum that is free to enter. The museum displays diorama models of the dams construction, has pictures and panels of the local area, and videos and exhibits detailing the electricity system.
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There is a trail that leads down to the bottom of the dam which makes for a pleasant walk through the trees and park areas. It makes for a great spot for a picnic, a spot of lunch or to view the autumn leaves in season. The trail to Mt. Kotengu can also be found here. The whole area of Jozankei is nice spot to drive or walk around. While in the area, there is not only Jozankei dam, but also the Ainu Culture Museum , Hakkenzan Winery, as well as all the Onsens!
Sapporo Ainu Culture Promotion Center
Admission | Free Exhibition Room: Adults ¥200, High School Students ¥100, free for Junior High School Students or younger |
Opening Hours | 8:45 - 22:00 (exhibition room and garden: 9:00 - 17:00) |
Closed | Mondays, holidays, the last Tuesday of the month, year-end through New Year holidays |
Contact | 011-596-5961 |
Notes | Wheelchair access |
Location / Getting There | Postal code061-2302 Sapporo, Hokkaido , Minami-ku, Koganeyu 27 45 minute drive from Sapporo From Sapporo Station, 60 minutes via Jotetsu Bus bound for Jozankei Onsen or Hokeikyo Onsen (Kaisoku 7/Kaisoku 8) From Makomanai Station, 38 minutes via Jotetsu Bus bound for Jozankei Onsen (12) Get off at "Koganeyu" bus stop and walk 6 minutes |
The Ainu Association of Hokkaido Sapporo Branch also holds workshops at the center that teaches Ainu embroidery and how to make the “Mukkuri” which is a traditional Ainu musical instrument. For reservations and fees required; contact Ainu Association of Hokkaido Sapporo Branch at 011-596-1610.
Hakkenzan Winery
Admission | Free |
Opening Hours | 10:00 - 17:00 |
Closed | Mondays |
Contact | 011-596-3981 http://www.hakkenzanwinery.com/ |
Notes | Wine tasting Free parking Wheelchair access Toilets available Wine available to purchase Good spot for autumn leaves viewing |
Location / Getting There | 〒061-2275 Sapporo, South ward, Toyama 194−1 Around a 45 minute drive from Sapporo station Buses available from Sapporo Station (Jotetsu Bus 7 or 8) Buses available from Makomanai Station (Jotetsu Bus 12) Get off at "Toyotaki Shogakko" bus stop, walk 30 minutes |
Hakkenzan Winery is located at the foot of Mt. Hakkenzan and was opened in 2011. This pleasant winery sits beautifully in its surroundings with views of the surrounding areas. The winery has 3 vine fields that cultivates more than 25 varieties of grapes. This winery produces some fantastic wines including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnays, to name a few. This winery’s motto is “Wine is made in the field, and the grapes want to be wine”.
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The Hakkenzan Winery not only has delicious wines, but they are also involved in researching and processing locally grown fruits in the local area, so they also produce and sell cider and fruit jam. These are sold in a small shop at the winery. Locally produced arts and crafts are also sold here. There is a balcony overlooking the vine field and gardens where you can sit and admire the view. Along with the balcony and shop, there is a small viewing area so you can see how they make their wines.
The Hakkenzan Winery is in a fantastic area and is a nice trip all year round. In the area, there are park golf courses, horse riding clubs. Mt Okesan for climbing, and the Jouzankei Hot Springs are only 10 minutes away by car. There is a lot to do so you can really make a day of it!
Hokkaido Museum of Literature
Admission | Adults ¥500 High School and University Students ¥250 Elementary and Junior High School Students Free. |
Opening Hours | 9:30 am to 5 pm daily |
Closed | Mondays, December 27th to January 4th and occasional irregular closures |
Contact | 011-511-7655 |
Notes | Free parking (up to 7 spaces) Wheelchair access Exhibits are in Japanese only |
Location / Getting There | Japan, 〒064-0931 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Nakajimakōen, 1−4 北海道立文学館 Take the Nanboku subway (Green line) to the Nakajima Park station. The museum is in the middle of the park, on the west side. |
The Hokkaido Museum of Literature first opened in 1995, and is the first of its kind in Hokkaido. It is located on the grounds of Nakajima Park and is home to some 260,000 works. The collection includes works by and about authors associated with Hokkaido, such as Takeo Arishima, Takuboku Ishikawa, Takiji Kobayashi, and Ayako Miura. There is a permanent exhibition as well as temporary exhibitions.
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The permanent exhibition includes 1,300 items and provides an insight into the literature and authors throughout the history of Hokkaido. This permanent exhibition is currently only in Japanese. The collection is of works of Hokkaido literature dating back to the mid 19th century. These works includes novels, essays, poetry, tanka, haiku, senryu, children’s literature, works of criticism, and Ainu folklore.
Hoheikyo Dam
Admission | Free |
Opening Hours | All day |
Shuttle bus hours | 8:45 - 16:00 Adults ¥620, Children ¥300 |
Contact | 011-598-3452 |
Notes | Peak spot for autumn leaves viewing Free parking Wheelchair access Toilets available |
Location / Getting There | Jozankei 840-banchisaki, Minami-ku, Sapporo By car or bus, it's a 1 hour drive from Sapporo During October, it can take all day to get there! By car from Jozankei its an 8 minute drive. |
Hoheikyo Dam was constructed in 1972 and stands at 102.5 meters tall. It was built, utilizing Toyohira river, for irrigation, for hydroelectricity and to control flooding. The reservoir created from the dam is called Jozan lake, which is surrounded by forest and high mountains. Located in Shikotsu Toya National park, the dam is in a designated environmental protection area, so cars, motorbikes, and bicycles are not allowed. To get from the car park to the dam there is a hybrid electric bus available, or it’s a 20 minute walk.
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For places to see in Hokkaido, Hoheikyo dam is a beautiful location, and during autumn, it’s a must see! The views of the autumn leaves are spectacular. The dam was voted as one of the top 100 waterside forests, and is also one of the top 100 lake dams as ranked by the Forestry Agency. The floodgates are opened between June and October from 9:00 to 16:00. There is also a small lookout area above the dam, and for lunch , there is a Jingiskan (mutton) restaurant as well! At the far end of Hoheikyo Dam is a museum with old photos and information (in Japanese) about the dam. It has a nice place to sit, with amazing views over Jozan lake.
From the parking lot, to the dam it is about a kilometer. There is a hybrid electric bus that runs every 10 minutes. The fare (round trip) for adults is ¥620 and ¥300 for children. Children up to 12 years old can ride for free. If you prefer, you can walk this road, which will take about 20 minutes. The road passes through 2 long tunnels but there is a good photo opportunity along the way, looking into the valley.
WARNING!! To get to the dam requires your own transport or by public bus. The peak season in getting to Hoheikyo Dam is in October (for the stunning Autumn leaves). Getting to the dam from Sapporo will take ALL day during this month on the weekend! If possible, visit the dam during weekdays. Buses are available daily from Sapporo to Jozankei. From Jozankei to the dam, shuttle buses are available.
Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art
Admission | Adults ¥510 High School and University Students ¥250 |
Opening Hours | 9:30 - 17:00 daily |
Closed | Mondays, Exhibit changing days and New Year Holidays |
Contact | 011-644-6882 |
Notes | Wheelchair access No parking |
Location / Getting There | Japan, 〒060-0001 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Kita 1 Jōnishi, 17 Chome−2−1 北海道立近代美術館 5-minute walk from Nishi Juhatchome Station on the Subway Tozai Line |
Opened in 1977, the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art has built up an extensive collection of art, with as many as 4,800 works, both domestic and international. These are centered around the three themes of Jules Pascin and the École de Paris, art associated with Hokkaido, and glassware representing periods from Art Nouveau, through to contemporary works. Along with these artworks, there are workshops and presentations held by the art gallery. Other works encompass Japanese modern art, European prints and Ukiyoe prints.
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The permanent Museum Collection exhibition is held on the first and second floors of Gallery A, which are connected by a large spiral staircase. The artworks from the museum’s collection are displayed and changed seasonally, four times a year. The second floor also houses a small restaurant that serves up a healthy menu, making use of Hokkaido-grown vegetables. A special menu offered during exhibition periods allows visitors to enjoy delicious meals. The outside grounds of the Hokkaido gallery are a pleasant place to walk around and take in some of the impressive sculptures there. To make a day of it, across the road is the Hokkaido Governor’s Residence which is also well worth a look!
To get to the museum, it’s a 5 minute walk from the Nishi Juhatchome Station on the Subway Tozai Line, exit no.4. From Sapporo Station on the JR Line and Subway Namboku and Toho Lines, take the Chuo Bus or JR Hokkaido Bus (42, 55, 64, 57, 66, 80, 62, 63) and get off at “Doritsu Kindai Bijutsukan” bus stop.