| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1000 - ¥2000 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 - 21:00 |
| Closed | Mondays to Thursdays |
| Contact | 011-596-6308 |
| Notes | Cafe, coffee shop, parking, small shop, seating 25, card welcome |
| Location | The coffee shop is located on Kanjo Dori Avenue on the west side of Sapporo. The coffee shop is by Maruyama cemetery and Maruyama Park. To get to the cafe, it is a 10 minute walk south west from Maruyama subway station. 27 Chome-4-1 Minami 5 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0805 |
This is a nice little coffee shop on the outskirts of Sapporo on the west side. It is not a far walk from Maruyama subway station and is also easily accessed by car. The coffee shop is two stories plus a small gift store behind it. The food here is very good and you can find some hearty meals such as hamburger steaks, pastas and a selection of meats. This coffee shop is great spot for lunch. A lot of the seating here is catered for couples or for small groups of up to four.
There are quite a lot of nice coffees here to enjoy. The small windows here overlook the main road but there is a large forest area that overlooks the cafe offering some greenery. There is counter seating down the bottom as well. There are a few items on sale here including cups and some t-shirts to buy. Out the back, you can find more of these goods. If you have driven here, there is a small parking area which caters for about six cars. This is a comfortable cafe with good food and is one of many in the near area.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥600 - ¥1000 |
| Opening Hours | 10:30 - 19:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-221-1007 |
| Notes | Coffee shop, no parking, seating 16, alcohol served |
| Location | The restaurant can be found in the Tanukikoji Shopping arcade on the first block, in Sapporo. There is no parking but there is paid parking around the area. Via public transport, the restaurant is a 3 minute walk from Odori subway station. 〒060-0063 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 3 Jonishi, 1 Chome-12, 1-chome South Tanukikoji |
Gaccha is a small cafe on the first block of the Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade. It is the very first store on the corner as you make your way through the entrance to Tanuki Koji. The coffee shop, being on the corner faces Soseigawa Park. This coffee shop is a cool little place in a convenient spot that is close to a lot of well known places in Sapporo. The layout is open and the walls are lined with bits and pieces, ornaments and other interesting collectibles.
The coffee here is pretty good but that’s not all that is sold here. They have alcohol on the menu as well. There is wine and beer as well if you are looking for something a little stronger than coffee. There is also a little food here on the menu but it is just small. If you are looking for a large lunch or evening meal, Gaccha probably won’t be enough. They excel in mainly coffees and drinks. There is outside seating in the warmer months as well.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 07:00 - 18:00 10:00 - 17:00 coffee shop |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, car needed or bus travel available, restrooms, souvenir store, cafe |
| Location / Getting There | The park is a 30 minute drive south from central Obihiro, take route 236. For those using public transport, from the bus terminal in front of JR Obihiro Station, take the Tokachi Bus bound for "Hiroo" and get off at the "Happiness" bus stop (about 45 minutes). It's 5 minute walk from here. From the Tokachi airport, it only a 5 minute drive or taxi ride. Obihiro, Hokkaido 089-1246 |
Kōfuku Station is a closed railway station from the now defunct Hiroo line. The station originally opened on 1st November 1956, but the line, which went from Obihiro to Hiroo, was discontinued in 1987 bringing an end to the station. Even though the station closed down, it still remains a popular sightseeing spot for tourists. Why? Well, it comes down to the name of the station. The name Kofuku (幸福）translates to “happiness” and the station became famous after it was featured on a Japanese NHK TV travel programme which aired in 1973. The station name is formed from the combination of the original name of the area, Kōshin. Plus many farmers settled here in 1902 coming from Fukui prefecture after flooding. Kō + Fuku = Kōfuku.
Kōfuku Station is part of Kōfuku Kōtsu Park. In this area, there is a nice little coffee shop, plus a small souvenir store (the Kōfuku train ticket is a very popular item), and photography area. There are two old trains here that have been turned into small museums. This area is especially popular for couples as the site was chosen as a ‘Sanctuary for Lovers’ in 2008. There is a special bell here that can be rung for good luck, plus the main attraction is the small hut here. You can write a message on a pink ticket and stick it to the wall. The hut is covered with thousands of these messages. Kōfuku Station is a popular spot to visit, if you can get out that way.
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | 10: 00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-5442-5584 |
| Notes | Museum, historical site |
| Location / Getting There | The museum is located by Kushiro River overlooking the harbor. It is a 15 minute walk, south from Kushiro station. By bus, take the 'Takuboku circulation line' and get off at the "Monument of the Little Boy" stop. 3 minutes on foot. From Kushiro Station Bus Terminal, take bus 2, 3, 27, 28, or 30 and get off at "Jujigai". 5 minutes on foot. From the airport, take the airport bus (Akan bus) and get off at "MOO". From here, it's 7 minutes on foot. 2 Chome-1-12 Omachi, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0847 |
In Kushiro, along the promenade that follows Kushiro River, you can find the Kobunkan. It is across the wide river from the Fisherman’s Wharf MOO. Kobunkan serves as a museum and as a historical spot. It is a restoration of the former Kushiro Shibun Newspaper Company. This office building was originally built in 1908. The small building is easily recognizable by its red brick facade, and gives the museum a certain rustic charm. Getting to the museum is relatively simple. From Kushiro train station, follow the main street down to Nusamai Bridge. Kobunkan is on the right after crossing the bridge.
The Kushiro Shinbun Newspaper was visited by the Japanese poet, Takuboku Ishikawa. He worked at the paper for 76 days, and it is here at the museum you can find many exhibits and rare documents relating to his work. The first floor of the museum is dedicated to the development of Kushiro. It holds maps of the planned port and a city map during the Meiji Era. Here there is also small cafe so you can enjoy a tea or coffee in nice surroundings. The second floor has the exhibits for the poet, Takuboku Ishikawa. There is also a statue of him outside by the museum.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:30 Bench Time Cafe 11:00 - 20:30 Yakiton Hidaka (Yakitori Restaurant) 11:00 - 21:00 Restaurant Yamasho (Chinese Restaurant) |
| Closed | Thursdays - Restaurant Yamasho Tuesdays - Bench Time Cafe |
| Contact | 011-4647-3650 Bench Time Cafe 011-4647-2989 Yakiton Hidaka 011-4647-3369 Restaurant Yamasho |
| Notes | Rest area, photography spot, land mark, parking available, 3 restaurants under mural |
| Location / Getting There | On the south eastern coast of Hokkaido. The rest stop is a 15-minute walk from Seppu Station on the JR Hidaka Main Line, under the mural of a horse along National Route 235. It's a 6 minute drive from central Niikappu. 292 1 Seppucho, Niikappu, Niikappu District, Hokkaido 059-2412 |
Niikappu is a town and sub prefecture on the south coast of Hokkaido. The area is known mainly for its production of racehorses. You can find statues and symbols of horses all across the town. On the border of the town of Niikappu and along the ocean drive there you can see the Niikappu mural. It is easy to see and it’s also the mark for where the rest stop is. This area is home to three restaurants that are open for lunch and dinner. Travelers have the option of a coffee shop, Chinese, or BBQ.
The mural itself raises high on the cliff face and depicts three race horses charging along. This area is also a nice spot to take a break as it faces the ocean. The coffee shop ‘Bench Time’ has a western menu with curries and some ice-cream to enjoy. There is a bench out the front to sit and enjoy the sun. ‘Yakiton Hidaka’ is right next door and they have set meals which include a meat dish served with rice. They are open for dinner for those on a long drive. Lastly, Restaurant Yamasho is a Chinese restaurant that serves excellent meals. Enjoy a lunch or dinner and watch the sunset! The Niikappu Mural is handy spot to relax and grab a bite for those on driving down the coastal road.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1000 |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 16:30 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0136-22-5705 |
| Notes | Coffee shop, small grocery store, wifi, seating 16, parking, wheelchair access, no smoking |
| Location / Getting There | This cafe is located in central Kutchan. It is at the front of Tsutaya book and DVD rental. Can be accessed from route 5 which runs through Kutchan. 〒044-0031 Hokkaido, Abuta District, Kutchan, Minami 1 Jonishi, 1−27 |
In the center of Kutchan and on the main street you can find a very nice small cafe called Vida Café. It is part of the Tsutaya book store and is located on the corner with large glass windows overlooking the parking lot. At this cafe you can pick up a simple coffee or a light snack. The menu has pictures and the friendly speak English. For those from overseas, it is easy to order. The food menu is small but enough. They have hashed beef with rice, pizza and an omelette dish on the menu, plus a few coffees. The comfortable seats are the perfect spot to enjoy a nice meal.
This coffee shop also serves as a small store. The cafe sells souvenirs, plus it has a lot of food items to take home. They have a huge range of curries to buy. These curries are pre mixed and are easy to make a delicious meal. There are plenty of other snacks on the shelves. There are also magazines and brochures to flip through while sipping on your coffee, hot chocolate or tea, plus there is free wifi here. This is one of the few places in Kutchan in which to relax, have a light meal and enjoy a tea. It is also just across the road from the Lucky supermarket so there is plenty of parking.
