| Admission | ¥300 |
| Opening Hours | 9:30 - 17:00 Information center closes at 18:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 013-4221-258 |
| Notes | Museum, wheelchair access, lockers available, sled activities (winter), paid parking close by |
| Location / Getting There | The museum is located right by Otaru Canal. It is a 10 minute walk south from Otaru train station. From the exit, walk down the main road to the canal. The museum is on the left, along route 454 2 Chome-1-20 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0031 |
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’. This beautiful building was constructed in 1887. The museum itself is a historical icon. In 2007, the museum was opened as well as the Otaru Information Center which has direct access to the museum.
The first exhibition room looks at the history of Otaru from its origins connected with the Ainu. There are materials related to the Ainu as well as the herring fishing industry. The latter part of the exhibition looks at a cityscape of Otaru during the Taisho era (1912 – 1926). There are some hands on exhibits here. The second exhibition room looks at the extensive flora and fauna of the Otaru area. These fascinating exhibits include a skeleton of a giant sea lion. Apart from the museum, there is a nice small coffee shop located in the information center. The information center is recognizable by its champagne glass pyramid. This room as tonnes of information about Otaru. Very useful for tourists.
| Admission | ¥480 - Adults ¥250 - Highschool Students ¥110 - Children |
| Opening Hours | 9:30 - 17:00 |
| Closed | Mondays |
| Contact | 0154-41-5809 |
| Notes | Museum, wheelchair access, free wifi, lockers available, events held throughout the year, wheelchair & stroller rental |
| Location / Getting There | The museum is a 40 minute walk from Kushiro station or a 15 minute drive.. For public transport from Kushiro Station bus terminal No.3 (bus 16 Shirakaba Harutori Shopping Center Line, 17 Shirakaba Akira Danchi Line) or No. 11 (bus 2 Wakakusa Danchi Line, 12 Fumizono Koju Line (for Midorigaoka), 55 Nanboku Line (2nd) Please take the bus from (to Wakakusa housing complex)). The nearest bus stop to the museum is the "Municipal Hospital". It takes about 10 to 15 minutes from Kushiro Station to the city hospital bus stop. ¥220 yen one way. (As of October 1, 2021) 1-7 Shunkodai, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0822 |
The history of the Kushiro City Museum dates far back to 1936. Originally, an exhibition room was set up as the “Kushiro City Folk Museum” on the second floor of the Kushiro City Hall Waterworks Construction Office. Over the decades, the location changed and finally on November 3rd, 1983, the “Kushiro City Museum” was born. The building was designed by a local arhcitect, Kiko Mozuna. His award winning design was designed to represent a red-crowned crane with its wings spread out. The museum is home to 4100 exhibits and objects.
The exhibitions at the museum incorporate flora and fauna from the Kushiro area. There is a permanent Ainu exhibition here also which is fascinating. This is one of the best museums in Hokkaido as the exhibits are first class and very well presented with great detail. There is information in multiple languages and there is plenty of space to walk around at your leisure. The museum is four floors and there is a huge amount of information to learn from the earliest archaeological findings to the current wild life of Kushiro. This museum is a must visit for those visiting Kushiro and are interested in history.
| Admission | ¥700 Year ticket ¥350 Adults ¥190 Highscool & seniors |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | Mondays New Year Holidays |
| Contact | 0155-24-5352 |
| Notes | Museum, art gallery, parking available, free wi-fi, wheelchair access, free English, Chinese, & Korean audio service |
| Location / Getting There | The museum is in Midorigaoka Park which is right in the heart of Obihiro. It is a 25 minute walk south west from Obihiro station. 2 Midorigaoka, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-0846 |
The Obihiro Centennial City Museum was opened back in 1982. It is part of Midorigaoka Park which also contains the Obihiro Zoo. This museum exhibits materials relating to the natural history and local history of Obihiro and the Tokachi region. These exhibits include dioramas, photographs, art works, and items pertaining to that area. This museum also looks at the industries that made Obihiro what it is today. Other exhibits are dedicated to the history and culture of the Ainu the buried cultural property.
The hall also has finds from the Jōmon period. These items were excavated from the Yachiyo A site and have been designated as ‘Important Cultural Property’. There is an extensive amount of information for those interested in the local area. The centre also acts as an art museum with exhibitions held on a rotating basis. For those wishing to visit the centre, there is ample parking at the park itself and makes for a nice day out. The centre is easily accessed and doesn’t cost a lot to enter.
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 20:30 |
| Closed | – |
| Contact | 0142-75-2158 http://toyako-bokutou.com/ |
| Notes | Souvenir store and local goods store Tax free |
| Location / Getting There | Located on the southern shore of Lake Toya, along the central street through Toyako Onsen district. 71 Toyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5721 |
Wood craft goods
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The engraved Bokken
They also specialize in ‘Bokken’ which is a wooden Japanese sword. For thirty years, Tōyako Echigoya has had experienced skilled craftsmen engraving these swords in the shop. There are many different sizes to choose from. The prices of these swords range from ¥3000 to ¥20,000. Other items include confectionary, t-shirts, handbags, and Japanese style teapots and cooking items. Everyday products can also be found here. The second floor of the building has a sweets and toy cafe.
| 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 |
Sculpture at entrance
Traditional Ainu clothing
Embroidery
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.
