| Admission | Adults : ￥420 Aged 7 - 15 : ￥300 6 and under : free |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 16:30 (16:00 last entry) |
| Closed | Mondays（on Tuesday when Monday is a National Holiday） Winter - November to April |
| Contact | 011-221-0066 hubg@fsc.hokudai.ac.jp |
| Notes | Wheelchairs available to borrow The botanic garden does not allow pets on garden grounds. Service animals are permitted. Toilets available. No car parking Parking available for motorcycles and bicycles. |
| Location / Getting There | North3, West8, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-0003, Japan 10 minute walk from Sapporo station |
Woodlands
The Hokkaido University Botanical Gardens were established in 1886 as a part of the Old Sapporo Agricultural College. They were opened by Dr. Miyabe Kingo, a graduate of Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University). The gardens cover 13.3 hectares and are the second oldest botanical gardens in Japan! The collection of plants and trees numbers over 4,000 species. These include alpine plants, and wild plants from Hokkaido, and can be enjoyed in the Spring, Summer, and Autumn.
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Natural History Museum
The gardens also contain a tropical greenhouse, a natural history museum, memorial building, and early Hokkaido homes. The natural history museum was built in 1884, and is the oldest museum in Hokkaido. Its old and spooky facade houses Ainu artifacts, biological specimens, and the stuffed body of ‘Taro’, one of two surviving sled dogs from Japan’s 1958 Antarctica mission. The exhibits documenting the lives of the Ainu and Uilta (indigenous peoples of Hokkaido) were collected from 1870 – 1930. There is also the Miyabe Kingo Memorial Building with displays of articles belonging to Miyabe, the first director of the botanical gardens.
Rose garden area
Other features of the Botanical Gardens are a Herbaceous Plants Garden, a Rose Garden with 200 rose bushes from 20 different varieties, a Canadian Rock Garden (in commemoration of the partnership between the University of British Colombia and the University of Hokkaido) ,and the Alpine Plants Rock Garden with over 600 species of alpine plants home to Hokkaido and its climate. The Northern Peoples Ethnobotanical Garden has around 200 species of plants used by the indigenous peoples of North East Asia for building, clothing, food, hunting, medicine and rituals.
The botanical gardens, are only a 10 minute walk from Sapporo station on the south exit. It is also a few minutes on the west side of the Old Hokkaido Government Building so you can fit the gardens into a sightseeing schedule. The gardens are a nice spot to walk around, sit on one of the many lawns, and take in the nature. Visitors can enjoy the seasonal flowers and the autumn leaves.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | From ￥1000- ￥2000 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 - 23:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-213-5454 *Parco department store |
| Notes | Credit cards accepted Menu in English + photos Non smoking Seating 76 |
| Location / Getting There | Located on 8th floor of Parco Department Store 3-3 Minami-Ichijo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido |
Views into the kitchen
Benitora Gyozabou is a fusion Chinese restaurant located on the top floor of the Parco Department store. It is one of 8 restaurants in the Parco food court. It is open throughout the day until late into the evenings. There is a special lunch set menu and a dinner set menu. The menu is in English and has plenty of information about each dish. Benitora Gyozabou has plenty of seating, and has a nice layout with Chinese modern art, an open kitchen and a good design.
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Lava hot Dan Dan noodles!
The menu offers all kinds of Chinese cuisine. There are dumplings (5 different flavors), Chinese vegetables, Szechwan flavored noodles, including the hot & spicy Dan Dan noodles, which are probably the one of the spiciest things you can eat in Sapporo! Stir fried shrimp, sweet & sour pork, fried rice, salads, and side dishes are also on the menu. If you have room, then there is a delicious dessert menu as well! Alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks are also served. Lunch sets and dinner sets include a drink, soup and a dessert.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 (including prayer room) |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-521-2565 |
| Notes | Prayer room available for reservations. Available for weddings & funerals |
| Location | Nakajima Park 1- 8, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 5 minute walk from Nakajima park station |
“Torii” located at the entrance
Iyahiko Shrine is located in Nakajima park on the east side. It’s a small Shinto shrine and when you are in
Nakajima Park it’s another nice little spot to visit to get some nice photos, to pray, or to buy a souvenir or prayer amulet. Feel free to walk around the small grounds, or sit for a coffee and enjoy a piece of Japanese culture. There are special events at the shrine that take place throughout the year, especially around New Year. Summer and the Obon festival are also big on the calendar. Iyahiko Shrine is especially beautiful during the autumn and winter seasons.
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“Komainu” statue guarding the temple
Prayer rooms and prayer times are daily. For specific blessings, for things such as company prosperity, baby blessings, or for family health and safety then a priest is available. The cost ranges from ￥5000 to ￥15,000. Before coming to visit for a blessing, it is recommended to contact the shrine as there are occasions where the priest is absent at a visit. And as with all religious or spiritual places, the shrine is available for weddings or funerals. The amulets and trinkets available from the shop cover things from health, luck to money and prosperity.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ￥500 - ￥1000 per drink ￥500 - ￥1000 per dish |
| Opening Hours | 17:30–24:00 *15:00 - 24:00 *Summer weekends July to September |
| Closed | Wednesdays |
| Contact | 011-218-5311 http://moonsunbrewing.com/ |
| Notes | Craft beers on tap Seating 40 Standing space 20 |
| Location |
5 beer sample set
The Moon and Sun Craft Beer Brewery is a microbrewery located in Sapporo. This bar offers up a fine selection of craft beers as well as delicious foods to go with them. There are 10 types of craft beer on tap plus craft beer from other breweries! You can order pints (450 ml) or half paints (250 ml). If you are interested in sampling the numerous beers on the menu they have a 3 beer and a 5 beer tasting set (recommended). On the menu, each beer has a circular graph with ratings of flavor, crispness, malt, fruitiness, color, strength etc, so you can sample the beer that catches your fancy. Each beer is served in a 150 ml glass. Of course, if beer isn’t your thing, then there are delicious wines (foreign and local), cocktails, soft drinks and coffee!
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And of course, with good beer, comes good food! The Moon and Sun has a great food menu which compliments its tasty beverages. Cheeses, pâté, salami, fruits, seafood and breads are all available to compliment any choice of drink. The french fries are made from a variety of Hokkaido-grown potatoes served with a delicious sauce.For meals, then there are pastas, dumplings, spare ribs stewed in beer, and a delicious smoked chicken plate.
The Moon & Sun bar is a great micro-brewery, and a great place to sample some good beers, wines and have a meal. It is nicely laid out and the staff are super friendly, and helpful. The owner works along side his staff and is more than happy to have a chat. This is definitely a place worth checking if you have a night out in Sapporo.
| Admission | Adults: ￥2000 High school students:￥1500 Junior high school students: free Gear hire : ￥3000 *under 18 years of age need supervision from family member |
| Opening Hours | 8: 30 - 17: 00 (last game around 16:30) 18: 30 - 24: 00 |
| Closed | Winter |
| Contact | 080-3515-6238 (9: 00 ~ 18: 00) ariakebase@gmail.com |
| Notes | Free parking Large car needed Rental Gear available Toilets & changing rooms Good for large groups Bring own food & drinks Vending machines |
| Location / Getting There | 〒004-0821 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Kiyota-ku, Ariake. 45 minute drive from central Sapporo |
Shooting range
Ariake Base Survival is a survival game, using air guns. Arm yourself and go head to head to against the other team. It’s a lot of fun! The system is basically the same as paintball but with air guns. Airsoft guns shoot small 6mm biodegradable plastic pellets, and unlike paintball, the plastic pellets barely leave a mark on the skin. The airsoft guns can be set to single shot, semi automatic and automatic (depending on the field you’re on). Airsoft guns are available for rent, with camouflage gear, mask, plus a canister of ammo which will last the whole day!
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Out!
On arrival you can rent your gear. After you will given a red or yellow arm band, which represents which team you are on. If its your first time, you will be taken to the 1st field and given a quick game to get used to the gun and the rules. Rules are simple; leave your mask on at all times on the field, once you have been hit (which does not really hurt), you have to raise your hands, take out your clip and leave the field to a side area with mask on (getting hit is based on the honor system). If you break these rules constantly you may be expelled from all games with no refund.
1st field
There are 3 fields in all, and games are rotated around these fields. Games consist of capture the flag, last man standing and which team has the most kills after 5 minute games. Games last from 5 to 10 minutes and the teams range from 20 to 30 on each side. What makes the Ariake base a lot of fun are the local members, who often are here weekly. They dress up in all the gear (whether it be in SWAT or tactical), armed with varieties of airsoft guns, from sniper rifles to hand guns, and they are very friendly and welcoming! It really adds to the experience.
Game on!
So, for a great day out with a bunch of friends Ariake Base is definitely a place to check out. You will need transport and someone who can speak Japanese is highly recommended! Grab some gear, shoot the other team, have a BBQ and let the fun unfold. During winter, the Ariake Base is closed but fear not! At Jozankei, there is an indoor playing area that is open all year round! For more information read on..
Jozankei Upper’s Survival
| Admission | Game: ￥500 Target practice: ￥300 Drinks: ￥250 Gear: free |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 24:00 |
| Closed | *closed on public holidays if there are no reservations |
| Contact | 011-596-6446 （18:00 - 24:00） 080-3515-6238（10:00 -18:00） |
| Notes | Pick up from hotel available Group reservations possible Gear available |
| Location / Getting There | 1-chome Jozankei Onsen West 1-chome 1 Minami-ku Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 061-2303 Located in Jozankei 45 minute drive from central Sapporo |
Jozankei Upper’s is open all year round and is available for reservations. There is an archery range here, airgun gaming area, and a bar is open in the evenings. For pickups from Jozankei hotels, contact the number provided. The bar has 6 counter seats, 6 box seats and 8 table seating. In the evenings, airguns supplied by Upper’s are available only. Patrons who are intoxicated are not allowed to play.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | From the middle of May to the end of October 9:00 - 16:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-598-2513 Jozankei Dam museum http://jozankei.jp/en/jozankei-dam/288 |
| Notes | Free 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 pictures and panels of the local area, and videos and exhibits detailing the electricity system.
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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, as well as all the Onsens!
