| 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. |
Jozan lake
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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Restaurant & lookout
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.
| 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 |
2nd floor views
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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Outside sculpture
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.
| Admission | Free parking & open all year |
| Notes | Great views of the coast Sea urchin (uni) restaurant Ice cream shop Souvenir shop Restrooms available |
| Contact | 0135-44-3715 |
| Location / Getting There | Located on Shakotan coast Irikacho, Shakotan, Shakotan District, Hokkaido Prefecture 046-0327 2 hour drive from Sapporo |
Lovely coastline
Shimamui coast is part of the Shakotan Cape which is on the western coast of Hokkaido. It is located next to Cape Shakotan and is famous for its coastline, and its crystal clear waters. There is a lookout at about 100m above sea level, offering stunning views from the cliffs down onto the water. The lookout is only a 5 minute walk from the car park so its easy to get to! There is a narrow tunnel that leads to the viewing point. There is also one more lookout which is slightly higher and offers similar views.
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Beautiful clear water
To get down to the water there is a small path that winds its way down to the rocky shoreline. Be aware, this track can get muddy at times. The rocky shore line is surrounded by craggy peaks, that feel primordial. The contrast of these rocks with the water, also known as ‘Shakotan Blue’ is a real feature and a great photo opportunity. The Shimamui Coast was included in the “top 100 coastlines in Japan”. If you fancy a bit of snorkeling in these calm waters you will see thousands of sea urchin, islands and valleys of rock crowned in seaweed, a few fish and you will have stunning views to the bottom! The water is chilly (depending where you come from) so its best in the summer months.
Sunset over Shimamui coast
There may be an opportunity to see seals on the coasts during the winter but you need a pair of long boots or mountain-climbing boots to navigate the snow-covered path to the coasts. After taking in the views, there is a restaurant and souvenir shop named “Rinko” that serves primarily sea urchin in varying dishes. They also have ice cream cones which is perfect in the summer! There is also a separate restroom located next to the parking lot. To make a real day of it, you can head around to Cape Shakotan, Cape Kamui, and Cape Ogon which all have fantastic views and are all near each other!
| Admission | Adults : ￥520 (groups ￥470) Children: ￥300 (groups ￥270) |
| Opening Hours | May - June: 8:30 -18:00 July - August: 8:30 - 19:00 September: 8:30 - 18:00 October - April: 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-851-3080 |
| Notes | Buses available Wheelchair access Free parking for 150 vehicles Credit cards available |
| Location / Getting There | 1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 062-0045 Hokkaido Chuo Bus: 10 minutes from Fukuzumi Station (Tōhō Line) to Hitsujigaoka Tenbodai Bus stop. |
Hitsujigaoka which literally means, “Hill of Sheep”, was first developed in 1906 as a cattle breeding station, and then sheep breeding was introduced in 1919. At its peak it was the home to 2,000 sheep. The hill now, is the home to the famous statue of Dr. William Clark, and commands a stunning view overlooking the Ishikari Plains, with Sapporo Dome in the foreground. The hill also has an “Austrian House” souvenir shop, a rest house & restaurant serving mutton, a wedding chapel, a lavender garden in summer and the Snow Festival Museum.
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The Austrian House has plenty of souvenirs to choose from, and has ice cream for those hot, sunny days. Around the back is a huge field and a beautiful lavender garden that is in full bloom in the summer. People visiting are allowed to cut the lavender into bouquets at the end of the season and take them home! Nearby is a white birch grove, where you can wander about. For lunch, at the Rest House, there is a restaurant that is set up for “Jingisukan” (a Hokkaido dish of grilled mutton cooked on a hotplate). The two floor restaurant also has venison, lamb chops, and there is an all you can eat & drink option. Prices range from ￥1200 – ￥2200.
The chapel
The chapel is a pristine white building, which is a great wedding spot, and has seen many wedding ceremonies over the years. It is equally beautiful in the winter! Behind the chapel is a charming white birch grove. Along with the chapel is the Snow Museum. This building contains information about all the Snow Festivals that have been held over the years. It contains miniatures of the giant sculptures of the Snow Festival from decades past. The museum also has an interesting image of one of the snow sculptures in the very first Snow Festival!
The most famous aspect of Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, is the statue of the Dr. William Smith Clark, the father of pioneers in Hokkaido and who left the famous words “boys be ambitious”. His right arm is raised in his characteristic pose as he points “toward the eternal truth which lies far in the distance”. Dr. William Smith Clark was the first “hired foreigner” and served as the vice-principal at the Sapporo Agricultural School (presently Hokkaido University) in 1876. Although he served for only 8 months he had a great influence on all the students. His statue was set up at the Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill as the university was being overwhelmed by tourists.
To get to Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, you need to take the subway to Fukuzumi station on the Toho Line (blue line). From there take the 84 bus (Fuku Hachiju yon, Hitsujigaoka sen). Get off at the last stop Hitsujigaoka observation hill (Hitsujigaoka tenboudai). If you are driving, it is a 25 minute drive from Sapporo station.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Residence: 9:00 - 17:00 Garden: 8:45 - 17:30 |
| Closed | Weekends, public holidays, New Years *Closed occasionally due to official affairs |
| Contact | 011-611-4221 |
| Notes | No parking |
| Location / Getting There | 16 Chome Kita 1 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 060-0001 5 minute walk from Nishi 18 Chome subway station (Tozai Line) Located across from the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art From Sapporo Station on JR, Subway Namboku and Toho Lines, take the Chuo Bus or JR Hokkaido Bus (42, 55, 65, 57, 66, 80, 62, 63) and get off at "Doritsu kindai bijutsukan" |
Spacious lawn
The Hokkaido Governor’s Official Residence was first built in 1936 as a holiday home for the Mitsui Gakuin Company. In 1953 it became the property of Hokkaido and used as the residence for the governor. It has since been used for various meetings and other functions, for national and foreign dignitaries. The residence was selected in 1998 as one of 100 local cultural sites known as the ‘Furusato Bunka Hyakusen’. In 1999 it was registered as a cultural asset. Apart from serving as a space for functions, it has served as a location for various television programs.
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Japanese elms
The Governer’s Residence is a hidden gem in Sapporo. Covering 5 square hectares the Governor’s residence has a huge lawn, and garden area with over 2400 trees making it the perfect spot to walk around and relax. Interestingly, the garden contains a pit dwelling from the Jomon era, thousands of years old. Pristine streams snake their way through this well manicured park area and there are plenty of benches to sit, relax and take in the greenery. The lawn and wooded area also contains sculptures.
The house itself is 2 stories and is designed in the ‘Half-timber style’ similar to that of English and northern European architecture. The reception staff is very helpful and you are free to walk around and look through the rooms, though taking off shoes is required. There are a dozen or so rooms to look around and are spacious with high ceilings and oak furnishings. It is interesting to walk through and read about each room! Information is available in multiple languages.
| Admission | Main Exhibition Hall Adults ¥600 Students ¥300 Hokkaido Museum & Hokkaido Historical Village Adults ¥1200 Students ¥700 |
| Opening Hours | 9:30 - 17:00 (May to September) 9:30 - 16:30 (October to April) |
| Closed | Every Monday (If the Monday is a public holiday then the Tuesday will be closed) December 29th - January 3rd |
| Contact | Phone: 011-898-0466 Fax: 011-898-2657 |
| Notes | Audio Guides are available in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean and Russian. Audio Guides are available for rental at the Welcome Center on the 1st Floor. In the Main Exhibition Hall, there are multilingual explanation boards in each exhibition area. Wheelchair access Lockers available |
| Getting There | From Shin-Sapporo Station Bus Terminal Stop 10 Take the JR Bus No. “Shin 22” bound for the Historical Village of Hokkaido, then get off at Hokkaido Museum The bus ride lasts 15 minutes. From Shinrinkoen Station Higashiguchi (East Entrance) stop The aforementioned bus from Shin-Sapporo Station stops at Shinrinkoen Station. The bus ride lasts 5 minutes. On foot It is 20 to 25 minutes on foot from Shinrinkoen Station. |
The Hokkaido Museum, also known as Mori-no-Charenga was opened in 2015. This 2 story building replaces the old Historical Museum and joins the Ainu Research Culture Centre. The museum is open to the public and introduces a look into the history, culture and nature of Hokkaido. It researches the relationship between the natural environment and people, the Ainu culture, and the lives of the immigrants coming from Honshu. It also collects and preserves materials from the land and the people of Hokkaido, and conducts exhibitions, educational activities and events.
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The museum is beautifully laid out and the exhibits are well presented, well lit and the information is available in English and Chinese. There are 2 floors. The bottom floor looks at the history of Hokkaido and goes through artifacts and fossils throughout the region. It also has models and artifacts looking at the history of the fascinating Ainu culture. The 2nd floor looks at the more modern history of Hokkaido and its wildlife. It has some hands on items that are great for the kids. The second floor also has a lookout platform and rest area that has views of Nopporo forest.
2nd floor exhibit
The Hokkaido Historical Museum is a well designed museum with lots of information. There is a coffee shop on the 1st floor, lockers for bags and it has wheelchair access. There are a number of events throughout the year on their calender with special exhibitions. This museum is also in a great spot to see the Centennial Memorial Tower, which is a 10 minute walk away. The museum is also a 10 minute walk from the Hokkaido Historical Village, that is also a must see when in Nopporo Forest!
