| Opening Hours | 8:30 - 20:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-213-5088 |
| Notes | Tourist information centre, English speaking staff, ATM, money exchange, coffee shop, wheelchair access |
| Location / Getting There | Located at Sapporo station, across from the east exit. It is next to the Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza. 〒060-0806 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Kita Ward, Kita 6 Jonishi, 4 Chome, JR Sapporo Station West Concourse |
For those newly arrived in Sapporo, or Hokkaido for that matter, this centre is an extremely useful resource to have access to. The information centre is convenient to find and easily accessible. The centre is located across from the east exit at Sapporo Station and is part of the Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza. The large counter here is attended by helpful employees who can speak English. They are happy to assist you with any inquiries you may have whether it be for the JR train to bookings and hotels.. There are plenty of brochures with information not only of Sapporo, but of all the main sightseeing cities in Hokkaido.
The Sapporo Information Centre also has a money exchange machine which is very handy. This machine has ten different languages to choose from making it easy to use and about a dozen different currencies to exchange. For other quick money, there is an ATM on the premises. There are prepaid sim cards to use for your phone which are available here. Also for electrical appliances there are charging stations. So, for those just arriving and need some extra info, the Hokkaido Sapporo Information Centre is the perfect spot.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1000 |
| Opening Hours | 10:30 - 3:00 Susukino, Sapporo 10:00 - 19:00 New Chitose Airport |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0123-25-6665 New Chitose Airport (International terminal) 0123-45-6010 New Chitose Airport (Domestic terminal 011-552-4601 Susukino Sapporo |
| Notes | Ramen restaurant, seating 10 in Susukino, English menu available, seating 40 New Chitose Airport location |
| Location / Getting There | Two locations. Main store is in Susukino, Sapporo. It's a 3 minute walk south from Susukino subway station. 〒064-0806 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 6 Jonishi, 3 Chome, Mutsumi Building Second locations are at the New Chitose Airport. One is in the domestic terminal, the other is in the international terminal, in Hokkaido Ramen Dojo. 987-22 Bibi, Chitose-shi New Chitose Airport International Passenger Terminal Building 3F (inside the gate) |
Keyaki is a ramen shop with its main store in central Sapporo in Susukino. Its two other stores can be found at the New Chitose Airport. One is at the international terminal, located at the Hokkaido Ramen Dojo. The other being in the domestic terminal. The ramen here is really good, and is full of so much flavor and color that is not often found at other ramen stores. The ramen at the Hokkaido Ramen Dojo area is particularly delicious. The first store opened in November 1999, in the Susukino district. It has been specializing in miso ramen ever since.
The restaurant (unlike the restaurants at the airport) is not big by any standards and has enough seating for ten people. It is not uncommon to see lines waiting to enter its doors and enjoy a hot ramen. The ingredients that make up the ramen have been carefully chosen over the years. The soup is made from pork and free range chicken from Niigata plus vegetables including shiitake mushrooms. It takes 10 hours to complete the process. Giving their ramen its vivid color are a selection of vegetables including white green onions, purple cabbage, bright carrots, and black mushrooms. The thick pork shoulder has been carefully stewed in a secret homemade soy sauce. Enjoy!
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 20:00 10:00 - 20:30 weekends |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0123-23-0111 |
| Notes | Contains 10 Ramen restaurants, no smoking |
| Location / Getting There | Located inside the New Chitose Airport on the third floor. 1292-33 Bibi, Chitose, Hokkaido 066-0012 |
For those who are on their journey out of Sapporo and are looking for one final taste of delicious Hokkaido ramen, then there is still one more chance! You can dine on a last ramen lunch or dinner at the Hokkaido Ramen Dojo. Hokkaido Ramen Dojo is an arcade that runs through the dining area of the New Chitose Airport. This arcade contains ten of some of the most popular ramen restaurants throughout Hokkaido. The arcade is located on the third floor and is easily recognizable by the giant map of Hokkaido made out of ramen bowls!
When entering this area we suggest not diving into the first ramen store you see. Take your time and look around. Each of these ramen restaurants have their own unique taste and extra toppings. They all have your three main flavors, being miso flavored, shio (salt) flavored broth and shoyu (soy sauce) flavored soup, but one of the biggest pulls for this collection of ramen stores is that the stores here have extras for your ramen that can’t be found outside of the airport. All the menus here and the staff are catered for travelers from afar so you will be fine if you don’t speak or read any Japanese. So, for ramen lovers, definitely poke your nose (and your taste buds) in and have a look.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1500 - ¥3000 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 - 15:00 lunch 17:00 - 1:00 dinner |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 050-3462-6085 https://uonosuke.gorp.jp/ |
| Notes | Japanese dining & bar, seating 26, English, Chinese and Korean menu available, English speaking staff, all you can drink available, no parking |
| Location / Getting There | Located in Sapporo, in the entertainment district of Susukino. It's a 6 minute walk from Nakajima Koen subway station. From the station, simply head into town on the main street. It's on the left. 〒064-0807 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 7 Jonishi, 3 Chome-2-15 Athens Building 1F |
Found on the main street that runs through Susukino (the entertainment district of Sapporo) you can find Kaisembaru Uonosuke. It is a Japanese dining and bar establishment. For those who are traveling from overseas, the manager here speaks some English and is happy to have a chat. Indeed, the menus here also cater for foreigners. Besides the obvious Japanese menu, they have an English, Chinese, and Korean menu. The food on the menu has a lot of Japanese seafood, plus your typical izakaya style fare.
The seafood here is quite good. They have some nice sashimi, deep fried oysters and shellfish. In terms of meat, they have grilled chicken skewers plus roast beef to try. All the meals come on small dishes and can be shared around à la Japanese dining style. Other dishes include pastas, ajillo, pizzas and mutton. Kaisembaru Uonosuke has quite an impressive selection of sake. Other drinks include spirits and good old fashioned beer. There is a nomihodai (all you can drink) option at this bar.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-3362-3450 http://www.city.ishikari.hokkaido.jp/site/sightseeing-guide/1590.html |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, photography spot, nature walk, parking available, car needed |
| Location / Getting There | Hamanasunooka Park is located along Ishikari Bay. It is a small headland that lies at the mouth of Ishikari River. It is a 50 minute drive north from central Sapporo. 29-1 Hamamachi, Ishikari, Hokkaido 061-3371 |
Ishikari Bay is a scenic spot to the north of Sapporo. Along this coastline you can find a thin and narrow headland that is home to Hamanasunooka Park. This windswept piece of land spreads over 1,500 meters and is formed at the intersection of the Sea of Japan and the Ishikari River. There are 180 species of beach plants that cover this sandy outcrop with 16.5 hectares designated as the Ishikari City Beach Plant Conservation Area. To access this area, there is a wooden walkway that extends from the car park to the point. It is also here you can see the Ishikari lighthouse.
The lighthouse has a history of more than 100 years since its establishment in 1892. Interestingly, the lighthouse was originally striped black and white but was repainted red for a movie in 1957. Every year the lighthouse is open to the public. During June and July the pretty rugosa rose (beach rose) is in bloom. From spring to autumn you can also see other flowers such as viola grayi, beach pea, and bindweed. For bird watchers, continue to the end of the point where there is a vast array of birds to be seen. Last, if you want to put your feet up and take some souvenirs back with you, there is the Hamanasunooka Park Visitor Center. For an escape from the city for some beautiful nature, look no further than Hamanasunooka Park. It is a fantastic day out!
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0136-45-2644 |
| Notes | Buddhist temple, the 9th temple on the 13 Buddha pilgrimage, car needed to get there |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Makkari near Mt. Yotei. It's a 10 minute drive from Rusutsu. From Sapporo [Sapporo (via Nakayama Pass) it takes 1 and half hours. Route 230 to Rusutsu, then Route 66 to Makkari. It is after the "Roadside Station Makkari Flower Center", opposite the "Makkari Post Office". 23 Toyamachi, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5802 |
Shingonin is a Buddhist temple that can be found in central Makkari. It is was constructed in 1917 with the building of the main hall, and was named ‘Shingonin’ at this time. The temple offers nice views of Mt. Yotei that rises up close by. Shingonin has services that can be reserved by the public. These include funeral services, a memorial service one year after the death of a loved one, gravestones and burial. They also offer memorial services for the death of a pet. Prayer services are also offered, for a consultation you need to contact the friendly staff or visit their website.
Prayer services include blessings for a healthy delivery of a baby, blessing for growth (100 days after a child is born), and traffic safety blessings. These blessings cost ¥5000 each. In Buddhism there are the “Thirteen Buddhas”. The thirteen Buddhas protect the deceased. There are 17 temples in Hokkaido that have sacred ground pertaining to the “Thirteen Buddhas”. There is a pilgrimage that can be taken by visiting these 17 temples. Shingonin is the 9th sacred temple on this pilgrimage. For access to the pilgrimage map, you can check here.
| February 1 | 10:00 start. Prayer for the year with the throwing of beans for good luck. |
| March 20 | 13:00 start. A day to thank the teachings of Kobo Daishi Kukai, who passed in March 21, 835. |
| July 15 | 13:00 start. A day to celebrate the birth of Kobo Daishi, who was born on June 15, 774. |
| August 16 | 14:30 start. Obon festival to remembrance of the dead. |
| November 20 | 12:00 lunch start. To thank Kobo Daishi teacher for his teachings. |
