Kotan Hachiman Shrine

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Kotan Hachiman Shrine was founded in 1856 and was officially named a township shrine in 1875. It was listed as a local shrine on the 28th of April 1911. The purpose of the shrine is to follow the great principles of the deity, Hondawake no Mikoto. Hondawake no Mikoto is also more commonly known as the Emporer Ōjin. Read More ....

Otaru Canal Museum & Information Center

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Otaru City General Museum Canal Museum has an extensive collection that introduces the history of Otaru City including information on the natural environment. The exhibition includes 20,000 objects and materials in its collection. The museum is located by Otaru Canal and can be found in the 'former Otaru warehouse'. Read More ....

Tokai Lavender Fields

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On the Tokai Sapporo School campus the grounds really comes alive with lavender. It is said that the south district of Sapporo, where the campus is located, is known as the birthplace of lavender cultivation in Japan. Read More ....

Urahoro Shrine

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During the Meiji Era, as the town of Urahoro (on the south east coast of Hokkaido) was being developed, the pioneers called for the construction of a shrine to serve as a spiritual centre. On August 15, 1896, a small shrine was erected, enshrining Amaterasu (goddess of the sun and the universe). Read More ....

Onnenai Visitor Center

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The Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, also known as the Kushiro Marshland is a sprawling national park to the north of Kushiro. There are half a dozen observation decks, museums, and walking paths that surround the park. The Onnenai Visitor Center is one of these museums and can be found on the western side of the marshland. Read More ....

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park

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The Kushiro Shitsugen National park (better known as the Kushiro Marshland) is a national park, located to the north of Kushiro on the eastern side of Hokkaido. The park is known for its wetlands ecosystems. 'Shitsugen' translates to wetlands in English. It was designated as a national park on 31 July 1987. The massive park covers an area of 268.61 square kilometres on the Kushiro plain and is well known for its wildlife and vegetation. Read More ....

Kushiro Marsh Observatory

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Perched at the top of a large hill, overlooking Kushiro Marsh, you can find the Kushiro Marsh Observatory. This is one of the most interesting buildings in Hokkaido. The exterior, and especially the interior, has a strange and unique design and is reminiscent of a cool sci-fi movie. The central hall of the museum is definitely a place to get some photos. Read More ....

Obihiro Shrine

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In 1881, a man named Benzo Yoda and others from Shizuoka Prefecture organized a pioneer group called the "Bansei-sha". This group and settled inShimo-Obihiro Village and started pioneering. During this time, they started holding festivals and later built a small shrine, though the connection with the current Obihiro Shrine is still not well known. Read More ....

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Ecorin Village – Galaxy Gardens

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Admission Gardens + Farm	¥1200 Over 16 years old ¥600 Children* ¥1000 Seniors over 60 ¥2400 Annual ticket *up to 5 children can enter free with 1 adult
Opening Hours	9:30 - 17:00 April - September 9:00 - 16:00 October
Closed	November - March
Contact	0123-34-7800 http://www.ecorinvillage.com/
Notes	Restaurant on grounds Farm next to gardens Parking available Playground for kids
Location / Getting There	40 minute drive from Sapporo station 20 minute drive from New Chitose Airport 〒061-1421 Hokkaido, Eniwa, Makiba, 277−4

Purple & gold garden

If you have the time, Ecorin Village is a must see, for tourists and locals alike! Especially if you enjoy gardening, the outdoors, or architecture. Ecorin Village is divided into three main areas; The Galaxy Gardens, Midori Farm, and the Tomato Forest area. With the experience of international and Japanese world renown garden architects, the landscaping and design of the Galaxy Gardens is absolutely flawless. The attention to detail as you wander around is truly amazing. There are thirty different gardens to explore while at Galaxy Gardens!

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: Tiger Garden

: Orchard entrance

: Savage Garden

Bear garden

Among the thirty gardens to view, are the award winning ‘Dragon Garden’ and ‘Riverside Gardens’. There are ponds, picnic areas, beautiful cottages that you can enter and enjoy, an underground tunnel & cave, a hobbit home, a maze to wander in, streams, paths, a playground for the kids, grass areas on which to stretch out, and tables and chairs to rest and admire the scenery. Each garden has it’s own unique feel and design. Sculptures are dotted around the park and add to the experience. Ecorin Village is about the appreciation of the environment, and you can find many of the flowers and garden ornaments from the Galaxy Gardens in the garden centre (located at the Tomato Forest).

: Fantastic structures

: Bear cave

: Rose garden

Rice planting

Also located in the Galaxy Gardens, are rice fields that are open to the public. There is a rice planting activity which is fun for the whole family. Dress up in traditional Japanese farmer clothing, and you can plant rice in one of the many fields. Great time to get some photos! There is information about the rice fields (in Japanese) and planting techniques. After trying out the rice planting, or even just wandering around the gardens, there is a fantastic restaurant on the grounds. Here you can enjoy a buffet style lunch, or hamburg patty set!