Hokkaido Shrine Tongu

北海道神宮頓宮
AdmissionFree
Closed-
Contact011-221-1084
NotesShinto Shrine, sightseeing spot, photography spot, available for weddings
Location /
Getting There
Located in central Sapporo. It's a 2 minute walk from 'Bus Centre Mae' subway station (Orange line), take exit 6 and walk south one block.
〒060-0052 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 2 Johigashi, 3 Chome−10

Hokkaido Shrine Tongu was built in 1891. It is not to be confused with Hokkaido Shrine, which can be found Maruyama Park, though the two are related. Hokkaido Shrine (also known as Sapporo Shrine) was built in Maruyama Park, but during the winter this proved to be difficult to access up in the hills. For this reason, Hokkaido Shrine Tongu was constructed closer to the center of town at that time, allowing easier access to the people. 130 years later, this shrine is still a convenient place to get to. It is not a far walk from Nijo Ichiba Seafood Market, or Sapporo TV Tower.

 

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Smaller than its larger brother, this shrine is still a popular spot to visit in any season. It has a couple of nice cherry blossom tress at its entrance in the spring and the autumn leaves can be seen during the fall. The shrine serves as an inn for the portable shrine that comes out in June during the annual Sapporo Festival. This shrine can be hired for wedding ceremonies, with five different available. Seating ranges from 18 to 108 seats. To enquire about weddings, you can contact them on the number above. The shrine offers different prayers and blessings. They have health, family safety, car, construction safety, house blessings to name a few. New Year prayers  are also available. There is a monthly festival on the 1st of every month. For other events, see below!

January 1End of year festival (Saitansai)
January 14Kojinfuda Yaki Festival
February (the day before spring)Spring, bean throwing festival (Setsubun)
May 1Memorial service for the deceased
June 14Tongu Shrine festival (Sapporo festival)
June 16 Tongu Relocation Festival (Sapporo Festival)
June 30The Great Shrine of Kaetsu and the Family Safety Prayer Festival
September (the day before the third Sunday)Tonnomiya evening festival
September (3rd Sunday) Tongu annual festival
November 17Tongu Shrine Dedication Memorial Festival
December 31Exorcism of shrine run and night festival

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Jozankei Dam

AdmissionFree
Opening HoursFrom the middle of May to the end of October
9:00 - 16:00
Closed-
Contact011-598-2513 Jozankei Dam museum
http://jozankei.jp/en/jozankei-dam/288
NotesFree parking
Car needed
Location /
Getting There
061-2302 Sapporo, Hokkaido , Minami-ku Jozankei 8

10 minute drive from Jozankei

Jozankei Dam is a great sightseeing spot. Completed in 1989 and measuring at 117 metres, it offers fantastic views over Lake Sapporo and  down the river in which it feeds into. Not only does Jozankei Dam have great views, but it also has  a museum that is free to enter. The museum displays diorama models of the dams construction, has historical pictures and panels of the local area, and videos and exhibits detailing the electricity system. You will need access to your own transport to get there, though if you are a bit more adventurous, its a good walk from the central onsen district of Jozankei.

There is plenty of parking at the dam if you are driving. There is a trail that leads down to the bottom of the dam which makes for a pleasant walk through the trees and park areas. It makes for a great spot for a picnic, a spot of lunch or to view the autumn leaves in season. The trail to Mt. Kotengu can also be found here. The whole area of Jozankei is nice spot to drive or walk around. While in the area, there is not only Jozankei dam, but also the  Ainu Culture Museum, Hakkenzan Winery, Nishiki bridge, as well as all the Onsens!

Powerstone ROP

パワーストーンROP 小樽
Opening Hours10:00 - 18:00
Closed
Contact0134-27-3371
http://rop-japan.com/
NotesGem stone store, no parking
Location /
Getting There
The store is located near Otaru Canal and is part of the shopping and tourist area. It's a 9 minute walk from the canal.
4-17 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027

Throughout Otaru, there are plenty of unique boutiques selling arts and crafts, among other things. At Powerstone, they sell thousands of gem stones that are ideal to decorate the home, or for those who are interested in, or believe in the energy from these stones. This unique store can be found near the harbor along the main tourist area of Sakaimachi street. The idea behind these stones is that everything has a natural vibration, such as the earth, trees, water and stones, and these have power spots that give out a specific energy.

 

 

 

Throughout history these sacred stones have long believed to be amulets. The stones are said to purify and balance our mind, which can influence people and the environment. The stones come in a variety of choices such as birth stones, or constellation stones, or simply choose the color that you like. At the store there is a color guide of what each stone represents which can help make your choice, whether for yourself or as a gift. Whether or not you believe in power stones, they make for a great piece of jewelry or for an ornament to decorate the home. 

Lake Sapporo

札幌湖
AreaSize 78.4 km²
Depth 363 m
Things to seeJozankei Dam
NotesScenic drive, photography spot, toilets at lake, observation deck, parking available
Getting ThereThe lake is a 50 minute drive from central Sapporo. Head south taking Route 230 heading towards Jozankei. Turn right onto Route 1 just before the town of Jozankei, and head along the 'Otaru Jozankei Road'. This winding road leads to the lake.
Jozankei, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2301

If you are looking for a nice scenic drive, Lake Sapporo is only an hour away from the central Sapporo. The lake is actually an artificial lake that was formed with the construction of Jozankei Dam in 1989. The drive up crosses over the dam and  the winding road has beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The lake has two observation points with ample parking plus toilet facilities. These observation decks offer relaxing views over the lake and are a good spot to get some photos in any season, especially during the autumn and winter. 

Besides the views at this peaceful spot, the lake is popular for canoeing and you can also find the occasional fisherman standing at its banks. During the summer, rainbow trout, whitespotted char, and ito fish (an east asian fish from the salmon family) are game to be caught. During the winter, Japanese pond smelt can be found. There are walking paths down to the water from the car parking and if you bring a packed lunch, there are some nice spots to sit and eat. For a nice day out, the drive around the lake is a scenic one, in any season!

Gotenzan Park

五天山公園
Opening Hours9:00 - 17:00
ClosedDuring the winter (depending on snow conditions)
Contact011-662-2424
http://www.nankoen.co.jp/gmpmg/
NotesBBQ area, hiking trails, toilets, playground, BBQ area, park golf, parking for 544 cars
Park Golf18 holes fee Adults ¥270 / Children ¥120 / 65 years and older ¥180
27 holes fee Adults ¥400 / Children ¥180 / 65 and over ¥270
4-hour ticket Adults ¥700 / Children ¥360 / Over 65 years old ¥500
Location /
Getting There
The park is a 20 minute drive west from Sapporo into the mountains. Parking is free.
JR Bus 41 "Nishino Fukui Line" departing from JR "Hassamu Station"
JR Bus Kotoni 41 Nishino-Fukui Line from "Kotoni Subway Station"
It's a 5 minutes walk from "Fukui 10-chome" or get off at "Gotenzan Park"
423 Fukui, Nishi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 063-0012

This large recreational space (which was originally an old quarry) can be found up in the mountains and was opened in 2009. The park was the first of its kind, found in the west ward of Sapporo. It is easily recognizable by its pyramid shaped mountain overlooking the whole area.  The park has BBQ cooking huts for use (enquire at the office), plus a playground for the kids, a ball game space for football and basketball, and a 27 hole park golf course on the grounds. During the summer, there are fireflies that converge at the ‘firefly waterway’ which also has a restored windmill running. 

If you want to stretch your legs even further, take a walk up to Mt. Goten which has two viewing platforms. The springtime is especially popular for its beautiful flowers. Even though this large recreational space is up in the mountains it is actually not that far from central Sapporo. It is about a twenty minute drive from central Sapporo. The road winds its way west up through the mountains until you reach the park of Gotenzan. Take advantage of the ample free parking here, that has enough space for 550 vehicles! For those without access to a vehicle, you can take the bus up from Kotoni station in Sapporo. 

Fukuyoshi Cafe

福吉カフェ旭橋本店
Pricing Guide
(Avg. cost per person)
¥1000 - ¥1500
Opening Hours10:00 - 20:00 Sapporo store
9:00 - 20:00 Asahikawa main store
9:00 - 16:00 Asahikawa ski links
Closed-
Contact011-792-8507 Sapporo store
0166-85-6014 Asahikawa main store
0166-72-2311 Asahikawa Ski Links
https://www.fukuyoshicafe.com/
NotesCoffee store, restaurant, soup curry, wifi available, parking available, no smoking
Location /
Getting There
Located in east Sapporo. Car needed to get there (15 minute drive from Sapporo station). From the closest station, Motomachi subway station (Toho Line) it's a 30 minute walk east.
3 Chome-3-3 Fushiko 9 Jo, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 007-0869
*For Asahikawa locations see below

The Fukuyoshi brand formed in 2013, is the creation of a merger between two Japanese companies dating back over eighty years. The Fukui Seisakusho company (founded in Asahikawa in 1948), and the tea shop “Yoshikawaen” (established in 1945). The result of this merger has bought in three fantastic cafe/restaurants to the Hokkaido region. There are two of these cafes in Asahikawa, and one is the city of Sapporo. At these restaurants you can find some delicious teas, coffees, ice creams, and some great curries, including mouth watering soup curries. 

The main cafe in Asahikawa has been renovated from the historic building “Kitajima Flour Mill”, which was built around 1914. The store in Sapporo also has a lovely rustic feel, as it was renovated from a brick stable originally built in 1955. The menu has a lot to choose from with three main type of dishes. Each is equally delicious. Fukuyoshi has soup curries with a dozen to choose from (the hamburger and vegetables curry is delicious), plus they have curry and rice dishes, and they also have hot skillet beef hamburg sets. Fukuyoshi is famous for its coffees and its ice cream so make sure you try these too! 

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