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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Iruka Bar

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Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person)	¥660 - ¥770 per drink ¥1000 food
Opening Hours	19:00 - 03:00
Closed	Sundays
Contact	011-1520-6610
Notes	Bar, no sit down charge, smoking, seating 15, seafood, sake, shochu, no parking, take out available, Japanese menu only
Location / Getting There	The bar is located in central Susukino, Sapporo. It is a 3 minute walk from Susukino subway station. The bar is in a small alley just off Susukino Minami Nakadori 3 Chome-6-17 Minami 6 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0806

The Iruka Bar is a great little place in Susukino, Sapporo. The name ‘Iruka’ means dolphin in Japanese. This bar has that cool, dark, laid back, smokey feel to it. The staff and the owner are very friendly and welcoming. This place seems to be a hidden popular go to place for the locals, especially for those who want to unwind after a day at work. The background jazz music really adds to the atmosphere. It is a small place, and it is a smoking establishment, so be warned for those who don’t want to be in a smoky bar.

The bar is best for drinking alone, couples, and only small groups as there are only a couple of small tables and a counter. The menu, is only in Japanese. This bar is popular for its extensive sake list. There are many different kinds of shochu here as well to enjoy. And what goes well with sake? Seafood. If you love oysters, Iruka has some large oysters that can be had raw, or cooked. Both are delicious! For around ¥500, you can also enjoy other seafood dishes, plus pickled dishes, chicken, and noodles. They have a take out option as well! This is a great bar to check out. It’s down a small alleyway, and up a narrow flight of stairs.