| Dates | From late April to late October |
| Hours | Fireworks start from 20:45 until 21:05 every night |
| Contact | https://www.laketoya.com/en/event/ |
| Location / Getting There | They are held on the lakeside of the Toyako Onsen side which is on the southern side of the lake. Lake Toya is in south Hokkaido. It is a 2 hour drive from Sapporo. Take JR train from Sapporo station bound for Hakodate. Get off at Toya station (70 min) ￥4500 Take bus from Toya station to Toyako Onsen bus terminal (15 min) ￥330 |
Lake Toya is a popular spot for locals and overseas travelers alike. The lake is a caldera lake and has a stratovolcano, Mt Usu, near the southern edge of the lake. This volcanic activity feeds the many onsens (hot springs) that make up the Toya onsen village which also lies on the southern side of the lake. There are a dozen onsen hotels here and every night a firework show is held from 8:45pm. The fireworks are set off from a boat which moves across the lake so everyone can get a close look. To view the fireworks you can stand along the shore line. And for those staying at one of the hotels, you can get great views from your hotel room. The best part is, it is all free! If you are feeling a little more adventurous, there is a ferry that heads out 8:30pm where you can view the fireworks from the water. The fireworks last for 20 minutes and if the weather is stormy they are cancelled.
| Closed | Open everyday |
| Contact | https://www.norbesa.jp/ |
| Notes | Shopping, restaurants, ferris wheel, bars, beer garden, bowling alley, credit card accepted, paid car parking available*, bicycle parking |
| Getting There | Norbesa is located in central Sapporo and is just a 2 minute walk from Susukino subway station. It's a 7 minute walk from Odori subway station. 5 Chome-1-1 Minami 3 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0063 |
Norbesa is a shopping complex, that has novelty stores, restaurants, karaoke, a bowling alley, darts bar, and a rooftop beer garden in the summer. Norbesa’s claim to fame though is the huge ferris wheel on the roof, also making this place easily recognized. Being the only ferris wheel in Sapporo, it offers 360 degree views over downtown Sapporo. The Norbesa building is made up of eight floors, including a basement floor. There is bicycle parking plus there is paid car parking next door (the 3.5 Tanuki parking lot). If you spend more than ¥2500 at the Katsuichisen Sushi Restaurant on the B1 floor, or more than ¥3000 at the Surugaya anime store on the 3rd floor then you can get a one hour free parking ticket. Norbesa is a good spot for having fun, having a few drinks or having a nice lunch or dinner.
| 7th floor | Tavern 102 Izakaya & Sake Bar 17:00 - 00:00 Hair Salon Eden 10:00 - 20:00 Noria Ferris Wheel 11:00 - 23:00 Osteria 101 Sicilia Grill & Bar 17:00 - 00:00 The Camp Beer Garden 17:00 - 23:30 *from June until September 14th Hawaiin Grill Aloha Amigo Beer Garden 15:00 - 23:00 *from June until August 31st |
| 6th floor | Gigo Bowl Norbesa 10:00 - 23:00 *weekends until 02:00 The Golf & Darts Bar Nice Shot 10:00 - 23:00 *weekends until 02:00 Gyuzen Sapporo Susukino Norbesa (shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, sushi) 16:00 - 23:30 |
| 5th floor | Yoyogi Animation Academy Sapporo School Rize Dermatologist morning 10:00-14:00 / afternoon 15:00-20:00 |
| 4th floor | "Karaoke Mash Broad 11:00 - 03:00 *weekends until 06:00 Capsule Toy Corner 11:00 - 23:00 *weekends until 02:00 |
| 3rd floor | Surugaya (anime models, games, trading cards) 11:00 - 23:00 Esthetic Rayvis Salon 10:30 - 20:00 The Lodge Charcoal & Smoke (grill restaurant) 17:00 - 00:00 Capsule Toy Corner 11:00 - 23:00 *weekends until 02:00 |
| 2nd floor | Mandarake Sapporo (used manga, anime, and toys) 12:00 - 20:00 Ichikura & Ondine (hakama photo studio) 10:00 - 19:00 Capsule Toy Corner 11:00 - 23:00 *weekends until 02:00 |
| 1st floor | Kentucky Fried Chicken 11:00 - 22:00 Ichiran Ramen 10:00 - 16:00 Figure Clothing Store 11:00 - 20:00 Wine Bar Dipunto 16:00 - 03:00 *Sundays 16:00 - 23:00 Surugaya (anime models, games, trading cards) 11:00 - 23:00 Accessory Shop Peach 11:00 - 20:00 Toriichizu Izakaya 15:00 - 06:00 Geico Restaurant 17:00 - 00:00 Yakiniku Nikumasu 17:00 - 00:00 Muse Shisha Cafe & Bar 15:00 - 05:00 Kokoro Body Medical Chiropractic Clinic 9:00-12:00 / 15:00-20:00 |
| Basement 1 floor | Yakiniku Sakuragi 17:00 - 00:00 *Opens from 11:30 on weekends Idol Cafe 15:00 - 22:00 *Opens from 12:00 on weekends Katsuichisen Sushi 12:00 - 15:00 / 16:30 - 23:00 Sapporo Norbesa Beer Hall 11:00 - 22:00 Rokugo Gatsu Ramen 11:00 - 15:00 *Opens until 20:30 on weekends and Wednesdays & Thursdays Kuimonoya Wan Izakaya 17:00 - 01:00 Oyster Dining Raugh Tale (dining wine buffet) 17:00 - 01:00 |
| 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 | 10:00 - 16:00 April 29th to November 3rd (closed during winter) |
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Contact | 013-3606-107 |
| Notes | Museum, parking |
| Location / Getting There | The museum is located near Ishikari beach. It is a 45 minute drive from central Sapporo. Take the 231 road north to Ishikari. 48-1 Bentencho, Ishikari, Hokkaido 061-3372 |
The Ishikarihama Coastal Plant Conservation Center is located just a stone throws away from Aso-Ishikari Beach. Around that area, there is an abundance of coastal plants and flora and fauna. To fully appreciate the area, you should also visit Hamanasu No Oka Park which is close by. The Ishikarihama Coastal Plant Conservation Center is a small center with an observation area on the second floor. It is also has walkways and a nature area out the back. Here, you can have a pleasant stroll about and sit on one of the many benches along the wooden walkway. This observation garden has many distinctive local seaside plants The center provides information on the nature of Ishikari, including an exhibition room. These exhibits are only in Japanese however. The center also conducts research on coastal plants and occasionally holds nature observation meetings to introduce a wide range of information about the nature of Ishikari. This is a nice place to enjoy while in Ishikari. With ample parking it is very easy to stop and take a look while in the area.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | Restaurant ¥1000 - ¥2000 |
| Opening Hours | 11:30 - 22:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-758-8758 |
| Notes | Soup curry restaurant, card accepted, no parking, seating 30 |
| Location | Soup Curry Cocoro is located on the northern side of Sapporo. It is near Hokkaido University and it is just a 4 minute walk from Kita Juhachijo subway station (North 18 station). 〒001-0015 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Kita Ward, Kita 15 Jonishi, 4 Chome-2-23 City Heim N15 Building |
Cocoro Soup Curry is in a very busy area for restaurants and coffee shops. It is located on the northern side of Sapporo Station and is by Hokkaido University. There are a few other soup curry restaurants around and this one is right near the Asian Supermarket. Every soup curry restaurant has its on signature dish or special recipe tto set it apart from other soup curry restaurants. At Cocoro Soup curry restaurant, they have boneless chicken as an option with their chicken and vegetable dish. Other dishes include ‘natto and chicken curry’, and ‘ravioli & gnocchi curry’ which are unique to Cocoro. Extra toppings can be added ffor an additional ¥200. The spice level ranges from one to thirty one (thirty one being manic on their menu). Level three is a medium and suits most diners. Rice comes with each soup curry. Drinks include lassis, teas, and soft drinks. This restaurant is large and there are plenty of seats for groups so there is no lining up. This is good if you are keen to get some lunch or dinner quickly. Many other soup curry restaurants require a line up usually!
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥200 - ¥500 per item ¥400 - ¥800 per drink |
| Opening Hours | 09:00 - 21:00 generally |
| Closed | |
| Contact | https://www.misterdonut.jp/ |
| Notes | Donut store, coffee, pizza and hot dogs |
| Location | Multiple locations in all major cities and towns in Hokkaido. |
The history of Mister Donut goes back to 1955 and was originally under the name ‘Dunkin Donuts’. It is the brain child of Harry Winokur and William Rosenburg. When the partnership split, Mister Donut was created with stores mainly in Asia and Dunkin Donuts staying in North America. The first Mister Donut opened in Osaka in 1971. Since then there are close to a thousand Mister Donut stores throughout Japan. In Hokkaido you can find a Mister Donut in every major city and most towns. Obviously the main product here is donuts and the prices range is from about ¥180 to ¥300. These donuts are delicious. Coffee is also served as well and this makes Mister Donut a very popular place in Japan. Since then, they also serve savory items which makes up for a better lunch or meal for customers. You can get hot dogs, pies and pizzas here now. Other drinks include fruit drinks, teas, and soda drinks. There is always seating available and so Mister Donut is a good store to visit.