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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Chocolatier Masále

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Opening Hours	10:00 - 19:00 Sapporo main store 10:00 - 21:00 Sapporo station (Paseo) 10:00 - 19:30 Central Sapporo (Mitsukoshi)
Closed	Main store is closed on Tuesdays
Contact	011-551-7001 Sapporo main store 011-213-5610 Sapporo station (Paseo) 011-222-8264 Central Sapporo (Mitsukoshi)
Notes	Chocolate & confectionary store
Location / Getting There	There are three locations throughout central Sapporo. The main store can be found in west Sapporo. To get there, take the tram to Nishisen Juichi Jo station. It is a 5 minute walk from there. The other two stores are at Sapporo station, Paseo dining area, and in central Sapporo at the Mitsukoshi department store.

Sweet tooth or looking for a nice gift? Chocolatier Masále could be the store for you. The chocolate store was originally created in 1988. At that time there were very few confectionary stores that specialized in delicious chocolate. Hokkaido, having a similar climate to Europe, was the perfect spot to start creating some delicious sweets. Chocolatier Masále uses forty to fifty kinds of carefully selected high quality chocolates from around the world! Fresh dairy products from Hokkaido are also to create their wares. Their chocolates are handmade and designed to appeal to the eyes as well as the tastebuds!

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There is one main Chocolatier Masále in the city of Sapporo which acts as the main store and cafe, plus there are two other stores which operate as the main retailers. These two stores can be found in central Sapporo, with one being found in Paseo West at Sapporo station. The other store can be found in the Mitsukoshi department store which is right by Odori Park. All stores sell a variety of beautifully presented cakes and chocolates. There are also boxed chocolates plus pastries. At the main store there is a place to sit down and enjoy a coffee with your sweets!

Select 108

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Opening Hours	7:00 - 22:00 9:00 - 18:00 Coffee shop
Closed	–
Contact	–
Notes	Souvenir store and coffee shop
Location / Getting There	Located on the southern shore of Lake Toya. Toyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5721

Modern Design

Select 108 is a very large and new shopping area located on the main street in the suburb of Toyaka Onsen. It is a spacious area that is on the ground floor. The select shop gathers selected items from all around Hokkaido and it is here you can find some fantastic souvenirs and gifts to take home with you. Many of the items here are beautifully crafted, whether from stone, clay, ceramics, glass or wood. These pieces are well presented for the shopper to take a stroll through store and peruse at leisure.

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Special wines

Among the ornaments and crafts, Select 108 also sells clothing. Here you can find some great Japanese ‘yukatas’ (casual style of a kimono, usually worn during the summer and at onsen hotels). They also sell some fantastic wines, sweets and other snacks that are home to Hokkaido. Select 108 also has a small cafe on its premises, with plenty of outside seating in which to enjoy a cup coffee, or one of their delicious cakes. After shopping, there is a nice restaurant across the road, Toya Arts & Crafts that you can have a nice lunch.

Smile Garden Cafe

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Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person)	¥1000
Opening Hours	10:00 - 17:00
Closed	Tuesdays
Contact	0142-75-3077
Notes	Restaurant & small goods store, seating 40, Wifi available, English menu with pictures
Location / Getting There	Southern edge of Lake Toya. Located in central Toya Onsen district. 35-17 Tōyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 049-5721

Cheese curry lunch set

Smile Garden Cafe can be found in the Parlor Fukuda building. It is a large restaurant that happily serves up lunch to the visitors and guests of the Lake Toya Onsen area. Being in the centre of town it is easily to drop in while seeing the sights, and enjoying the area. This restaurant also serves as the entrance to the classic car gallery next door, simply ask the friendly staff. This large restaurant has plenty of seating and is good for families or large groups.

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Homely surroundings

The restaurant has pictures and has English translations making it easy to order your meal. The menu has mainly rice and pasta dishes such as delicious rice curries, chicken doria (a Japanese style casserole dish with cream sauce), pilafs, and pizzas. The lunch set menu has three options which comes with a drink, a salad, and a chocolate cake dessert! You can savor your meal in homely surroundings. You can also enjoy cakes and the tea & coffee menu. Smile Garden Cafe also has a small stand, selling homemade items that you can take a look at.

Peche Grand Sapporo

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Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person)	¥1500
Opening Hours	8:00 - 23:30
Closed	-
Contact	011-206-0690
Notes	Coffee shop, Inside seating 50, Outside seating 60, Non smoking
Location / Getting There	Central Sapporo, on the Red Brick Terrace, a 7 minute walk from Sapporo Station 〒060-0002 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Kita 2 Jōnishi, 4-chōme−1 Red Brick Terrace

Delicious quiche plate

Peche Grand Sapporo serves as a coffee shop, a patisserie, a restaurant, a wine bar, or just as a spot to take a seat and relax. This restaurant & coffee shop can be found on the red brick plaza. The plaza is a beautiful tree lined road that leads to the Old Hokkaido Government Building. With outside seating during the warmer months, Peche Grand Sapporo is a great place to have a lunch or coffee. The food menu has a variety of quiche plates that come with bread, a pumpkin soup, and a delicious side dish of nuts with potato.

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Some darjeeling tea

For something a little sweeter, Peche Grand Sapporo has a dozen cakes, parfaits, mousses, and crème brûlées to choose from. Though the menu is Japanese, the pictures of each meal says it all. Cakes are around the ¥400 mark. There is a coffee or tea & cake set you can order. There is also a parfait and drink set as well. Apart from coffees and teas, Sapporo classic is available as well as whiskey, red & white wines, plus soft drinks and juices. Inside the restaurant, there are cakes, cookies, and chocolates to buy, so you can take the flavor home with you.