Tag: Central Hokkaido
Shikisai no Oka
Admission | Free (¥200 donation is preferred) |
Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 |
Closed | Winter |
Contact | 0166-95-2758 https://www.shikisainooka.jp// |
Notes | Flower viewing, small shop, photography spot, parking, alpaca farm inside, buggy rentals available |
Location / Getting There | It's a 12 minute drive from Biei station or a 30 minute drive from Furano train station 〒071-0473 Hokkaido, Kamikawa District, Biei, Shinsei, 第3 |
Shikisai no Oka (known as Shikisai Hill in English) is famous for its sweeping vistas and beautiful flower arrangements covering the hills on this huge expanse of land. Shikisai is open all year and is a great place to visit not only in the summer months but also during the winter. The flowers here are spectacular and a great place to get some photos. Throughout the year, there are different kinds of flowers that are in full bloom. In June, the poppies are out. In July (which is a great time to go), you can see nadeshiko, salvia, marigold, and stunning fields of sunflowers. September is best time for salvia and dahlia.
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To get round the fifteen hectares of these panoramic gardens, there are walking paths, but there are other options. You can take the popular tractor bus ride around the fields at a cost of ¥300 for children and ¥500 for adults. Alternatively, you can drive yourself around with a buggy ¥500 per person, or a four person cart hire which costs ¥2000 per fifteen minutes. Shikisai no Oka is also open during the winter from early December to early April. Here you can go on a fun snowmobile ride or tour, plus you can rent out sleds, or tubes and enjoy the slopes! Finally, Shikisai no Oka is also home to an alpaca farm. For ¥500 you can go in and feed and meet the dozen alpacas that make their home here.
Snowmobile rides | ¥1000 for 1km ride ¥5100 for 30 minute course |
Snowmobile tour 5km (30 minutes) | ¥7200 |
Snowmobile tour 10km (1 hour) | ¥18,000 one person ¥14,400 two people ¥12,000 three people |
Snowmobile tour 20km (2 hours) | ¥30,000 one person ¥24,000 two people ¥21,600 three people |
Snowmobile tour 30 - 40km (2.5 hours) | ¥42,000 one person ¥38,400 two people ¥33,600 three people |
Pension Ohno
Cost per night | ¥5000 - ¥9800 per person (depending on plan) |
Check-in | 15:00 |
Check-out | 10:00 |
Contact | 0142-75-4128 http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~p-ohno/index.html |
Restaurant | Yes |
Wi-fi | Yes |
Notes | Onsen available, lake views, credit card accepted Western style rooms with bath, toilet, TV, refrigerator and air conditioning. Parking available 30 cars |
Location | Located in Toyako Onsen on the southern side of Lake Toya 56-2 Sobetsuonsen, Sobetsu, Usu District, Hokkaido 052-0103 |
Lake Toya is a beautiful area that is a popular tourist destination, especially during the summer, where you can really enjoy the water and the serenity of the lake. Pension Ohno is a large guest house that is open all year, where you can enjoy comfortable surroundings on the southern edge of the lake. The two story pension has seven twin rooms, and three triple rooms to accommodate up to twenty three guests. There is a nice restaurant on the premises that caters for forty people. Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 9:00 (though can be served later on request). Dinner is served from 18:00 to 20:00.
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There is also Japanese style banquet hall which can be used for twenty people. During the warm summer months, for some outdoor feasting, there is a large BBQ area to use and enjoy. High-speed wireless LAN can be used free of charge in all guest rooms. After enjoy the sights and activities of the lake and the surrounding area, there is a relaxing onsen (hot spring bath) that can be used to dip and unwind. The best way to get to the pension is by rent a car. From Sapporo its a 2 hour drive over Nakayama pass along route 230. From Chitose Airport its a 1 hour and 40 minute drive via the Hokkaido Expressway. And from the Rusutsu Ski fields its about a 30 minute drive. Alternatively, you can take the Donan Bus from Sapporo station which takes 2 hours and 45 minutes.
No meal plan | ¥5000 - ¥6000 |
B&B plan | ¥5800 - ¥6800 Japanese breakfast (western style available on request) |
Half board plan | ¥8300 - ¥9800 Breakfast plus a Japanese-Western dinner made with locally-grown ingredients. Customers using this plan are requested to arrive by 19:30 at the restaurant. |
Funsui Hiroba Fountain Square
Admission | Free admission |
Opening Hours | All day |
Closed | - |
Contact | 0142-75-2446 |
Notes | Walking esplanade, foot spas, ferry point, photo spot, fireworks viewing point |
Location / Getting There | Located on the southern shore of Lake Toya, between the lake and the hotels 049-5721 Hokkaido, Abuta-gun, Toyako, Tōyakoonsen, Route 2 |
The Funsui Hiroba Park (also known as Fountain Square), acts as a park for kids to play in, and also as a boardwalk that hugs the southern shore of Lake Toya. From the park, the path runs along the lake for about 500 meters. The park is dotted with splendid statues, and during the evening it is where you can view the Lake Toya firework display that is held nightly throughout the whole summer and autumn (from the end of April to the end of October). Along the path, there are plenty of places to stop and admire the lake.
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As the path can take you on a long stroll, there is a place along the way to rest those weary feet. There is a small foot bath, the ‘Toron Foot Spa’ where you can take a seat, bathe your feet in the hot spring and take in the views of the lake. The footbath is free to use. It is also, along this road, you can take the ferry to the inner island of Lake Toya, known as ‘Nakanoshima’. The ferry makes the short journey across every thirty minutes. There is also a boat rental spot on the waters edge if you feel like exploring the lake a little further.
Cafe Bidama
Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1200 - ¥2000 |
Opening Hours | 11:00 - 19:00 |
Closed | Mondays |
Contact | 011-611-2121 http://www.biidama.jp/ |
Notes | Cafe & Restaurant, seating 40, coffee & alcohol served, private rooms available, Japanese menu only (with pictures) |
Location / Getting There | 5 minute walk from Maruyama Koen subway station. Near Maruyama class shopping centre. 26-chōme-2-36 Minami 2 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0062 |
The suburb of Maruyama is a nice area with lots of coffee shops and restaurants. Cafe Bidama is a large coffee shop located in the heart of Maruyama, right by Maruyama class shopping centre, making it easy to access. It has inside as well as outside seating making it a pleasant place to have a coffee, lunch, or a few drinks. The cafe/restaurant has two floors, with private rooms located on the second floor. Cafe Bidana has select coffee, teas, and they even have beer on the menu.
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The food menu has quite a lot to choose from that especially suits for a brunch. There is french toast with fruit, eggs benedict, a butter chicken curry with toast, and a cheddar cheese & maple syrup french toast. Cafe Bidama have their own style of okonomiyaki (a popular pan-fried dish that consists of batter and cabbage). They have a shrimp & avocado type, and a prune type okonomiyaki. There are lunch sets as well including a hamburg set which comes with miso, salads, and rice. At cafe Bidama, you can pick up a magazine there, settle in to a nice chair and enjoy a lunch & coffee.
Tomiyama Wine Shop
Opening Hours | 10:00 - 20:30 |
Closed | – |
Contact | - |
Notes | Local wine & spirits store |
Location / Getting There | Located on the southern shore of Lake Toya, in the Toyako Onsen district 65 Tōyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 049-5721 |
The Toyako Onsen district is famous for its onsens (hot springs), and its beautiful views of Lake Toya. Lake Toya is a popular spot for tourists and there are plenty of places to buy souvenirs. When it comes to buying something alcoholic to savor, then this is a nice little shop to check out. If you are looking for some good local wine, then you can find Tomiyama Wine Shop, a small local liquor store that is located on the main street that runs through the middle of town. It’s run by one of the locals and has been in the town for a long time. It is here you can walk among the spirits and wines and peruse at your leisure.
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There are other souvenir spots to pick up a treat in town, such as Select 108, which also has local wines among other things. But there is something nice about getting down to the roots of a small town, finding not only locally produced wines, but also Japanese sake, and other locally produced spirits. The Tomiyama Wine Shop also sells plum wine, known as ‘Umeshu’, which is a delicious drink. It has a sweet and sour flavor with a fruity aroma and is worth a purchase. If you are looking for something with more of a heated bite, then the wine shop also has Japanese whiskeys, as well as overseas brands.
Tōyako Echigoya
Opening Hours | 9:00 - 20:30 |
Closed | – |
Contact | 0142-75-2158 http://toyako-bokutou.com/ |
Notes | Souvenir store and local goods store Tax free |
Location / Getting There | Located on the southern shore of Lake Toya, along the central street through Toyako Onsen district. 71 Toyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5721 |
Located across from the Hotel Lakeside Terrace, Tōyako Echigoya is a large store excelling in Japanese products. The store is tax free and is popular for tourists and locals alike to admire the handiwork, and to possibly pick up a souvenir while in the Lake Toya district. The shop sells items relating to Hokkaido and Lake Toya. They have been handling and selling souvenirs and they have something for any occasion. A lot of their goods are beautiful wood carvings such as bear carvings, and Ainu goods.
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They also specialize in ‘Bokken’ which is a wooden Japanese sword. For thirty years, Tōyako Echigoya has had experienced skilled craftsmen engraving these swords in the shop. There are many different sizes to choose from. The prices of these swords range from ¥3000 to ¥20,000. Other items include confectionary, t-shirts, handbags, and Japanese style teapots and cooking items. Everyday products can also be found here. The second floor of the building has a sweets and toy cafe.