Tag: Central Hokkaido
Ecorin Village – Galaxy Gardens
Admission Gardens + Farm | ¥1200 Over 16 years old ¥600 Children* ¥1000 Seniors over 60 ¥2400 Annual ticket *up to 5 children can enter free with 1 adult |
Opening Hours | 9:30 - 17:00 April - September 9:00 - 16:00 October |
Closed | November - March |
Contact | 0123-34-7800 http://www.ecorinvillage.com/ |
Notes | Restaurant on grounds Farm next to gardens Parking available Playground for kids |
Location / Getting There | 40 minute drive from Sapporo station 20 minute drive from New Chitose Airport 〒061-1421 Hokkaido, Eniwa, Makiba, 277−4 |
If you have the time, Ecorin Village is a must see, for tourists and locals alike! Especially if you enjoy gardening, the outdoors, or architecture. Ecorin Village is divided into three main areas; The Galaxy Gardens, Midori Farm, and the Tomato Forest area. With the experience of international and Japanese world renown garden architects, the landscaping and design of the Galaxy Gardens is absolutely flawless. The attention to detail as you wander around is truly amazing. There are thirty different gardens to explore while at Galaxy Gardens!
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Among the thirty gardens to view, are the award winning ‘Dragon Garden’ and ‘Riverside Gardens’. There are ponds, picnic areas, beautiful cottages that you can enter and enjoy, an underground tunnel & cave, a hobbit home, a maze to wander in, streams, paths, a playground for the kids, grass areas on which to stretch out, and tables and chairs to rest and admire the scenery. Each garden has it’s own unique feel and design. Sculptures are dotted around the park and add to the experience. Ecorin Village is about the appreciation of the environment, and you can find many of the flowers and garden ornaments from the Galaxy Gardens in the garden centre (located at the Tomato Forest).
Also located in the Galaxy Gardens, are rice fields that are open to the public. There is a rice planting activity which is fun for the whole family. Dress up in traditional Japanese farmer clothing, and you can plant rice in one of the many fields. Great time to get some photos! There is information about the rice fields (in Japanese) and planting techniques. After trying out the rice planting, or even just wandering around the gardens, there is a fantastic restaurant on the grounds. Here you can enjoy a buffet style lunch, or hamburg patty set!
Ecorin Tomato Forest
Admission | Free |
Opening Hours | 10:00 - 17:00 |
Closed | - |
Contact | 0123-34-7800 |
Notes | World's largest tomato plant Garden & flower store Local market Restaurant on site Free parking |
Location / Getting There | 15 minute bus ride from Eniwa Station Hokkaido, Eniwa, Makiba, 281−1 061-1421 |
The Tomato Forest (or Tomato no Mori) is a HUGE tomato plant, that is so big, it was certified on November 13th, 2013 as the “World’s Largest Tomato Plant”. Impressive! Found in the town of Eniwa, this plant is an ordinary variety of tomato plant and is grown from one grain, which is gown through hydroponics. This feet of botanical accomplishment has seen the tomato plant reach dimensions of around 40 square meters, and produces up to 17,000 tomatoes annually! You can buy the tomatoes from the Garden Center Flower Ranch next door.
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If you’re a gardener, or if you looking like to buy fresh, local produce, then the Garden Center Flower Ranch is a great spot! You can find a huge selection of ornaments for the garden and home, furniture, herbs, and a selection of indoor and outdoor plants. During the year, this store has seminars led by herbalists and gardeners to offer advice and information! They also have a wide variety of flowers to choose from. Eniwa is surrounded by many farmlands that produce fruit and vegetables. The Garden Center has a small market of local fruits and vegetables, (especially tomatoes!). These fresh foods are great not only for kitchen, but also as souvenirs! While looking around and shopping you can also stop in at the ‘Camel’ Italian restaurant for some lunch.
Opening Hours | 9:00 - 18:00 |
Closed | - |
Contact | 0123-35-2321 |
Notes | Garden store Market |
Location / Getting There | 15 minute bus ride from Eniwa Station Hokkaido, Eniwa, Makiba, 281−1 061-1421 |
Tempura Ginza Hageten
Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1500 - ¥2500 |
Opening Hours | 11:00 - 23:00 |
Closed | - |
Contact | 011-209-5109 http://www.hageten.com/ |
Notes | Seating 46 Non smoking |
Location / Getting There | 6th floor above Sapporo Station 〒060-0005 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo, Kita 5 Jonishi, 2 Chome |
Tempura is a delicious Japanese dish usually consisting of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried. As part of the Stellar Place Dining area, Tempura Ginza is the perfect spot to have some authentic Japanese cuisine. There is plenty to choose from on the menu, whether it be seafood tempura, or the vegetable tempura. There are special sets that come with miso soup, rice, pickled vegetables, sashimi, and Japanese egg custard depending on your choice of meal!
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The menu is in English and it has some explanations on what garnish is best with the tempura. There are two dipping sauces to choose from, being either a soy sauce with sugar, or a soy sauce with salt. These sauces are recommended for the vegetable tempura. For the fish and shrimp tempura, salt is recommended as a garnish. After ordering your meal, the tempura dishes are made in front of the customers at a large counter. For drinks, tea is offered free of charge, and on the menu, you can order juices or alcohol, including sake.
Sakura Restaurant
Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥500 - ¥880 |
Opening Hours | 11:00 - 18:00 March to September 11:00 - 17:00 October to February |
Closed | - |
Contact | 0166-39-7835 http://gallerycafe-sakura.com/menu.html |
Notes | Gallery & restaurant Arts store Available for reservations Parking available English menu |
Location / Getting There | 5 minute drive from Asahiyama zoo 〒078-8205 Hokkaidō, Asahikawa-shi, Higashiasahikawachō Kuranuma, 31-32 |
The Sakura Restaurant is a pleasant Western & Japanese style restaurant, that also serves as a gallery and an arts & crafts store! It is located just down the hill from Asahiyama Zoo and the perfect spot to grab some lunch or dinner. With plenty of room, customers are free to wander around and look at the restaurants arts & crafts that are on sale. Suitable for couples or large groups (for large groups, reservations are required). Sakura restaurant also has nice views, in any season, overlooking its well manicured gardens.
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This restaurant has both western style dishes and Japanese dishes on its very affordable menu! With lunch sets at less than ¥1000 yen, its a delicious bargain. The hamburg set is one of the most popular dishes, which is 100% Japanese beef delivered directly from Okada farm. Other dishes include seafood and chicken curries, Japanese and Western style pizzas, and for dessert, ice-creams and cakes. Japanese dishes have udon noodles in the winter, and somen noodles in the summer. Of course, if you just want to stop in for a nice quiet cup of coffee or tea, then Sakura Restaurant has it as well!
Inari Konpira Shrine
Admission | Free |
Opening Hours | - |
Closed | - |
Contact | +81-166-52-1934 |
Notes | Hiking trails near by Free parking (180 cars) Picnic area Scenic views |
Location / Getting There | 10 minute walk from Asahiyama parking lot & Asahiyama zoo 〒 078 - 8205 Hokkaido, Asahikawa-shi Higashi Asahikawa Machigakuma |
Inari Konpira Shrine is located near the top of Asahiyama park and is a beautiful spot to walk around and take in the scenery, especially during the spring as it is surrounded by hundreds of stunning cherry blossom trees. With the cherry blossom petals slowly cascading down in a nice warm breeze, in front of this quiet shrine, never will you find a more peaceful spot. Away from any major roads, you can take in the old stone and wood of this serene shrine. A great spot to get some photos!
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In the Asahiyama park area, you can also find the famous Asahiyama zoo, and plenty of small stalls, facilities, and free parking. In the spring, cherry blossoms and dogtooth violet blossoms can be seen, summer brings in the hiking, in the fall, the beautiful autumn foliage can be enjoyed, and in a winter, there are plenty of winter activities to enjoy the snow. To get to Inari Konpira Shrine, from the parking lot out the front of Asahiyama zoo, walk up the road through the park. Continue past the Asahiyama Ryubokutaishido Hall (a small shrine) on your right, and you will see Inari Konpira Shrine 200 metres further along.
Tartar Hamburg
Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥2500 |
Opening Hours | 11:00 - 22:00 |
Closed | - |
Contact | 011-213-5614 |
Notes | |
Location / Getting There | Paseo West Dining, 2 minute walk from Sapporo station. Kita-ku, Kita 6 Jo Nishi 4. Sapporo Station Paseo underground B1F |
Tartar Hamburg is a delicious restaurant located in the shopping area of Paseo West. It is part of the huge dining area that holds a variety of different restaurants and foods. This restaurant specializes in hamburg patties and cuts of beef that are served up in a selection of different dishes. The hamburg patty meals come with green vegtables and sizzling roasted potatoes. Side dishes include a bowl of rice and a salad.
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Also on the menu, are delicious cuts of meat. Choose your cut and style, that is served on a salad, with rice or on a hot plate. These dishes are priced on the richness of the cut of the meat, and the quantity. Tartar Hamburg have some succulent meats to offer, so this restaurant is definitely worth a look…and a taste! For the young ones, there is a kids menu on offer. So, while shopping around Sapporo station keep Tartar Hamburg in mind, if you are in a carnivorous frame of mind!