| Dates | First weekend of July |
| Opening Hours | 11:30 - 18:00 |
| Cost | ￥3000 per ticket (includes cup + drink ticket) |
| Contact | 011-391-7775 http://www.sapporo-craft-beer-forest.com/enjoy/ |
| Location / Getting There | Located at Bankei ski field. Access via bus from Maruyama bus terminal. Taxis are also available. 410 Bankei, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 064-0945, Japan |
Cheers
As Hokkaido begins to warm up in the summer months, the Sapporo Craft Beer Forest has become an increasingly popular spot to enjoy a huge selection of craft beer from local sellers. There are over twenty-five different craft beer stalls at this event, each selling a selection of their hard work. You can sample beers from all over the world at this event, and find a variety of beers ranging from light and flavorful pale ales, sweet and malty blonde ales, flowery or spicy pilsners, to smooth & creamy dark lagers and everything in between. The Sapporo Craft Beer Forest has something for everybody.
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Beer stalls
Upon on entry, and paying for your ticket, you will receive a cup (which you need to keep all day) plus two beer tickets. For further beer tickets, simply buy them at the ticket stall inside the venue. It is possible to get advance tickets for ￥3000. The premium advance ticket includes an event glass and six drink tickets. The normal advance ticket will get you seven beer tickets for the same price. Across from the beer stalls, there are food stalls set up. You can enjoy a selection of meats such as mutton, ribs, and sausages. There is also pizza, curries, and some Jacksonville Hamburgers. Besides the stalls, there are tables set up to grill your own!
As there is no outside seating, be sure to bring a mat to sit on the grass and any gear to make the day comfortable. Inside the Bankei building itself there is inside and a couple of stalls selling souvenirs. If you don’t have your own transport, or do and want to drink (of course), there are taxis that will cost around ￥2000 yen one way. There is also a free shuttle bus that will leave from Maruyama bus terminal which is across from the Maruyama subway station.
| Shuttle bus | Leaves from Maruyama bus terminal to Bankei ski field |
| Times | Leaves every 8 minutes |
| Cost | Free |
| To Bankei ski field | 11: 00 - 15: 00 |
| To Maruyama bus terminal | 17: 00 - 19: 00 |
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1000 - ¥2000 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 - 23:30 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-213-5151 http://r.goope.jp/oneills |
| Notes | Irish pub Foreign beers English menu |
| Location / Getting There | 2 minute walk from Sapporo station. Located at Paseo West Dining 〒 060-0806 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Kita Ward, Kita 6 Jonishi, 4 Chome-3-1 1F in Paseo |
Beef lunch set
Irish Pub O’Neill’s is a great pub located in Paseo West Dining at Sapporo Station. If you like some good foreign beer, or some good hearty food, then this is a great spot to have some lunch, or dinner. O’Neill’s is good for sharing a drink with friends, taking in some sports on the screens, or having a nice quiet beer. The lunch menus of steak or sausages come as a set with a salad, bread and a soup. The dinner menu has some delicious options of lamb, chicken steaks, Irish stew, fish and chips, and of course, sheperd’s pie!
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Counter seating
Apart from the extensive food menu, O’Neill’s has a great selection of world beers. As you can expect from an Irish bar, they have Guinness, and Kilkenny. Local beers include, Sapporo Classic, Yebisu Creamy Top, and Edelpis. If you’re looking for something with a bit more bite, then there are some whiskeys (Irish, scotch & bourbon) to sample. For groups, there are all you can drink plans that come with food. The ‘all you can drink’ plan goes for 120 minutes. If you are looking for an Irish style bar, then O’Neill’s is a good spot to check out.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 12:00 14:00 - 16:00 *Tuesdays are mornings only |
| Closed | Mondays Stormy weather |
| Contact | 011-511-9624 http://www.ssc.slp.or.jp/planet/sapporo-obs |
| Notes | Observatory has day time & night time viewings. Planet viewing depending on schedule |
| Location / Getting There | Located in Nakajima Park. 5 minute walk from Nakajima koen subway exit 3 1-17 Nakajima-koen,Chuo-ku,Sapporo 064-0931, Hokkaido |
Located in Nakajima Park
If you enjoy sightseeing and checking out the sights, then this is the ultimate in sightseeing. Instead of seeing the local sightseeing spots in Hokkaido, you will be gazing in wonder at the planets and stars! If you have never been to an observatory before, it is a must see. Built in 1960, it is easily accessed in Nakajima Park, which can be found just to the south of central Sapporo. It is free to enter in the mornings and afternoons, and is manned by super friendly staff/astronomers who are more than happy to help and show you the wonders of the skies.
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A close up of Venus!
Throughout the year, there are cosmic events that are constantly on show. Whether it be a comet, a blood moon, a planet in close orbit with the earth, or a meteor, to name a few. During these times the observatory is open for the public to come in and get a close up view of these marvels. For the annual schedule you can check their website, or pick up a flyer at the observatory. If there are no other visitors, and you have a Canon camera, then the staff can attach it to their telescope for some great shots! While in Sapporo, the observatory is a place to see.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥2000 - ¥3000 |
| Opening Hours | 15:00 - 2:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-561-3533 http://bb5613533.webcrow.jp/index.html |
| Notes | Darts Party plan Seating 40 |
| Location / Getting There |
Spicy chicken wings
Beer Bar Basil Basil is a popular bar to grab some good food, and some good beer, and have a night out with some friends. It is located on the southern end of Susukino, the night life district of Sapporo. It is not on the main street but one block across from the main drag. Opening in 1999, Basil Basil focuses its menu on a good selection of Japanese beers plus some European ales. To go with the beer, there is a good selection of bar food that will please any customer!
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Salad
The beer menu has Sapporo Classic, a nice Yebisu on tap, a Yebisu black stout, Edelpils (a German Pilsener style beer) plus some foreign beers. These include Hoegaarden, a bass pale ale, and a Guinness. The food menu has plenty of dishes to match the beer, such as pizza, spicy chicken, sausages, oysters and shrimp, tortillas and beans, pastrami and sauerkraut. For those looking for group specials, Beer Bar Basil Basil has party plans. Six dishes plus an all you can drink for an hour and a half plan, will put you back at ￥3800 per person. An all you can drink plan, for an hour and a half will cost ￥2800 per person. You can reserve tables for 10-14 people, 20-26 people, or you can hire the whole 40 seats including the counter area!
| Pricing Guide | Swan boat with engine ¥2500 - 20 minutes ¥3000 - 30 minutes |
| Swan boat ¥1500 - 30 minutes |
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| Pedal boat ¥1200 - 20 minutes |
|
| Rowboat ¥1000 - 60 minutes |
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| Speedboat lake tour ¥1800 per adult ¥600 per child (ages 6 to 12) |
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| Opening Hours | 8:00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0142-75-3467 http://toyamarine.com/ |
| Notes | Fishing boats available to rent Boat tours available |
| Location / Getting There | Southern coast of Lake Toya 〒 052-0103 Hokkaidō, Usu-gun, Sōbetsu-chō, Sōbetsuonsen, 62 Sonmyo Onsen 62 |
Swan paddle boats
Located on the southern shores of Lake Toya, there are a couple of places to rent some boats so you can not only enjoy the views from the shore, but from on the lake itself. There are a few options on which watercraft to get. Starting with the cheapest, there is the rowboat which is for two people, where you can take it easy at a slow place. Next is an old style pedal boat (if you don’t feel like rowing), which has a capacity of two people. For groups of four, there is the swan paddle boat, which is fun for the whole family! Lastly, if you feel like taking it easy, there is a motor powered swan boat. The engine is only two horsepower, so no license is necessary.
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Rental booth
Of course, if you want to see more of the lake, then there are speedboats that are available to take a tour with from April to November. There are seats for nine or twelve people, and the tour will take you around Nakajima island in the middle offering some great lake views. There are a couple of different courses that are available. Jet skis are also available for hire though a license is needed. If you are interested in fishing, there are also fishing boats that can be rented for the day. 
If you want a nice relaxing day and want to go fishing, then there are plenty of fish in the lake. Lake Toya has brown trout, rainbow trout, carp, to name a few. These fish can also be found in the adjoining rivers. What better way then to spend the day on the lake, taking in the scenery and enjoying the clear waters. For boats with engines, a boat license is needed. Reservations are required.
Pricing Guide
Yamaha 14ft
¥9,500 - full day
¥5,500 - half day
Yamaha 16ft
¥10,500 - full day
¥6,500 - half day
Rental Hours 4:00 - 19:00
Closed Winter (December to March)
Contact 0142-75-3467
http://toyamarine.com/
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1200 |
| Opening Hours | 11:30 - 21:30 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-233-2911 http://www.suage.info/ |
| Notes | Soup curry restaurant English menu available Long lines at lunch and dinner |
| Location / Getting There | 5 minute walk from Susukino subway station. 〒 064-0804 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo, South 4 West 5 Toshimatsu Building |
Can’t miss the sign
Suage Soup Curry is a very popular soup curry restaurant located in Sapporo, near Susukino subway station. Due to its popularity, you can expect around at least a thirty minute wait during the peak hours at lunch and dinner. What makes Suage Soup Curry such a popular spot is it’s unique menu. The menu comes in English, so ordering isn’t a problem. Some of the staff have English ability as well. The menu has crispy Shiretoko chicken, chicken leg curry and a nice vegetable curry.
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The squid ink soup base
Apart from these dishes there are also some distinct dishes that can only be found at Suage. There is a lavender pork flavored curry, a delicious smoked duck and mozzarella cheese curry, a fried shrimp and avocado curry, a char-grilled mutton curry, and a special jerk chicken curry. These mouth watering dishes, can be served in a coconut soup, or an interesting squid ink based soup that is home only to Suage Soup Curry. Spice levels range from one to ten. Rice comes with soup curry, and at Suage they use a special ‘Akaimai’ rice which has a red pigment, and is high in nutrients.
Drinks include coffees, lassis, and soft drinks. And at Suage, they offer a delicious dessert for afters. There is plenty of seating, though if you find Suage is too busy, you can try your luck at Suage 2, which is conveniently located next door!
