| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours Nakayoshi Zoo 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Zoo Admission | Free |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 012-3720-706 https://t-daria.com/parktop/ |
| Notes | Walking paths, baseball field, small zoo, shops, toilets, camping area |
| Location / Getting There | By car, it takes about 1 hour via Route 274 / expressway depending on traffic. Free parking is available at the park. By train, from JR Sapporo Station, take a train toward Iwamizawa on the Hakodate Main Line. Transfer at Iwamizawa Station to the Muroran Main Line bound for Kuriyama Station. It's a 15 minute walk from there. 2 Chome-38-16 Sakuraoka, Kuriyama, Yubari District, Hokkaido 069-1501 |
Kuriyama Park is a peaceful recreational park in Hokkaido known for its seasonal beauty, open green spaces, and family-friendly atmosphere. The park is especially popular during spring when cherry blossoms bloom throughout the grounds, attracting visitors from nearby Sapporo and surrounding towns. In autumn there are stalls selling autumn produce plus there are pumpkins dotted around the park. There is a large steam train also as a permanent attraction. Inside the park is Nakayoshi Zoo, a small community zoo where children and families can interact with animals such as rabbits, ponies, deer, monkeys, and birds. The zoo’s relaxed environment, free admission, and hands-on experiences make it a charming destination for families and nature lovers. Together, Kuriyama Park and Nakayoshi Zoo offer a quiet and enjoyable escape from the city with walking trails, picnic areas, and opportunities to experience Hokkaido’s natural scenery.
| Cost per night | Free Parking is ¥1000 for cars and ¥300 for bikes from mid July to mid August |
| Open | May 1st - October 31st |
| Contact | 011-3379-2029 |
| Notes | Small campsite Covered cooking area Washing area Toilets Convenience across the road |
| Location / Getting There | By Car (recommended): The drive takes about 1 hour 40 minutes via Route 231 (Ororon Line) heading north towards Hamamasu. By Bus: Public transport is limited. The Engan Bus (沿岸バス) runs a service from Sapporo that stops at the Hamamasu bus stop. This bus typically runs only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (and major holidays), leaving Sapporo at 4:10 PM and returning from Hamamasu at 8:30 AM. From the Hamamasu bus stop, it is a roughly 1.7 km walk south to the park Hamamasuku Kawashimo, Ishikari, Hokkaido 061-3106, Japan |
Kawashimo Beach Park is a peaceful seaside camping destination in Hokkaido, offering visitors a relaxed escape surrounded by natural beauty. Set along a quiet stretch of coastline, the park features open grassy camping areas, easy access to the beach, and scenic ocean views that are especially striking at sunrise and sunset. It’s a great spot for swimming, fishing, and unwinding in a calm, uncrowded environment, making it ideal for both families and solo campers looking to enjoy a simple, nature-focused getaway. There is free parking available and the wide camping area gives you a bit of privacy. Many people who camp here enjoy fishing as it seems a popular spot for it.
| Admission | - |
| Height | 1,898 meters |
| Hiking Time | 6 - 8 hours to the top |
| Notes | There is a car park, toilet facilities, drinking water and a small campsite. |
| Location / Getting There | The mountain is a 2 hour drive from Sapporo along route 230. To access the Lake Hangetsu trailhead, take Route 5 from Kutchan or Hirafu, and turn left at the Lake Hangetsu entrance. It's 10 minutes by bus from JR Kutchan Station or 15 minutes on foot from Yotei Tozan Exit |
Mount Yotei is an active stratovolcano that can be found in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. It is also known as ‘Ezo Fuji’ (Ezo being the old name for Hokkaido). It is in the top hundred mountains of Japan, and is definitely a breathtaking mountain to look at. This iconic mountain can be seen from all the surrounding farmlands and the ski slopes of the big towns of Hirafu, Niseko, Rusutsu and Kutchan. Not only is its snow covered peak popular in Winter, but the Summer, Spring, and Autumn brings hikers and trekkers to its base as there is a great hiking trail on the western side. From this peak, you will be amazed at the beautiful views from its peak. For those who do decide to trek to the top it takes about seven to ten hours for a round trip. There is a campground near the base as well.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Closed | - |
| Notes | Beach, camping area, paid parking, BBQ spot, swimming spot, small bars in the summer |
| Location / Getting There | Otaru dream beach is about a 40 minute drive north west from Sapporo. A car is preferable. For those taking public transport, you need to take a train (Hakodate Line) to Otaru and get off at Hoshioki station. From there it is a 50 minute walk so a taxi would be better. Alternatively, the bus near Hoshioki station is No.81, and that is 5 stops, and from then it is a 30 minute walk to the beach. 3, 70 Zenibako, Otaru, Hokkaido, 047-0261 Japan |
There are two main beaches that the locals of Sapporo go to during the summer. One being Aso Beach Ishikari and the other is Otaru Dream Beach. Ishikari Beach is a quieter and more relaxing place to spend a summer day, where as Otaru Dream beach is a busier spot with more of a party atmosphere. This is mainly due to the fact there are more beach bars that line the sand. These bars serve as small places that serve food and BBQ supplies plus offering tables for beach goers to cook their own food. They also serve alcohol for those to enjoy.
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The ‘beach bars’ are slightly run down and serve only as temporary bars and eateries for a couple of months. They are open until the evening and sometimes kick on until late at night. There is also the occasional beach party event. There is no real accommodation around this long beach but there is a camping ground on the beach. This costs around ¥1000 but if you come late, then you can avoid this. Also parking for cars is about ¥500 for the day. There are signs and collectors near the entrance. This beach is mainly for a younger crowd who enjoy the BBQs and although it is not a particularly clean beach, it is a fun beach. If you are looking for something quieter, Then Ishikari Beach is a better option.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0133-62-4611 |
| Notes | Beach, swimming spot, jogging spot, sunset views, paid parking available, car needed |
| Location / Getting There | The beach is located to the west of Sapporo. It is a 55 minute drive from central Sapporo 〒040-0034 Hokkaido, Hakodate, Omoricho, 22, Unnamed Road |
There are two main beaches that Sapporo locals head to for a summer suntan, swim or BBQ. One being near Otaru called Zenibako Beach, and the other being Aso Beach at Ishikari. Whereas Zenibako has more of a party vibe to it with the small shacks selling booze with tables and BBQ spots, Aso Beach is a lot more serene with less people. The surf itself is very calm and quiet and not very deep. It is best to bring some form of shade as there are no trees around and the beach can get quite hot in the summer.
The beach is open to camping and it must be said, that the sunsets here are absolutely beautiful. There are stores or camping supplies so make sure to bring all you own gear. There are paid parking spots that cost about ¥500 for the day and not a far walk from the beach. Other places of note include Hamanasu No Oka Park, and the Ishikari lighthouse. For bird watchers too, this area is bustling with wildlife. There is also an Onsen hotel nearby. Aso Beach is a tranquil beach and offers view of the whole of Ishikari Bay.
| Cost per night | ¥5,330 Bungalow (1 building for 4 people) ¥2,660 Bungalow day trip ¥3,190 Auto site ¥310 Tent area (per person) ¥200 Tent area (per chilld) |
| Open | Gate is open from 7:00 - 19:00 April 20th - October 20th |
| Closed | Winter |
| Contact | 011-4664-2168 https://www.town.erimo.lg.jpl |
| Notes | Mountain campsite, washing area, toilets, parking, cabins, own transport needed, camping gear available to rent (see end of article) |
| Location / Getting There | The campsite is just on the eastern side of Cape Erimo. It's a 10 minute drive from the cape. From Sapporo, take route 336 along the coast. It is a 4 hour drive. 102-5 Shoya, Erimo, Horoizumi District, Hokkaido 058-0421 |
This is one of the only campgrounds in the district of Erimo. It’s just past Cape Erimo and is a great spot to set up in the lush, well maintained camp sites. If traveling from Sapporo, it’s a good distance to reach by the afternoon after a nice coastal drive, and set up for the evening. There are a hundred camping spots to choose from plus there are a nineteen wood cabins that fit up to four people. Customers staying at the site will be issued free coupons for the Park Golf down the road, and for ‘Kaze no Yakata’ (wind museum) on Cape Erimo.
The cabins here have bunks but there are no mattresses or bedding so be sure to bring something to sleep on. (Sleeping mats are available from the office). The cabins have power sockets which is handy. The campsite has all the facilities you could need. There are areas for washing and cleaning, plus washing machines for those on a long road trip and showers. The toilets are clean and well maintained and easily accessed. For those who need extra items for their stay, then these are available at the main office. The friendly staff here are more than happy to help you with any enquiries. The trees and small paths that wind through the campground make this area a nice place to relax and enjoy some camping.
| Rental tent (1 tent for 4 people) | ¥1050 |
| Sleeping bag (1 set) | ¥520 |
| Sleeping mat (1 sheet) | ¥200 |
| Shower room | ¥200 |
| Washing machine | ¥200 |
| Simple Furnace | ¥200 |
| Charcoal (3 kg) | ¥600 |
| Cooking utensil set (1 set for 4 people) | ¥520 |
| Gas stove set (1 unit) | ¥840 |
| Cassette cylinder | ¥310 |
| Lantern (with battery) | ¥630 |
| Electric stove (1 unit) | ¥630 |
| Detergent | ¥50 |
| Dryer | ¥100 |
