Lake Shikotsu (Shikotsuko) is located in the Shikotsu–Toya national park. This lake as with Lake Toya, is a caldera lake, which was formed from collapses in the earth after volcanic activity. It has an average depth of 265 metres (869 feet) and a maximum depth of 363 metres (1,191 feet), making it the second deepest lake in Japan. It is encircled by mountains. One being the active volcano, Mount Tarumae, which last erupted in 1981. Most of Shikotsuko is little developed except for Shikotsu Kohan, a small, touristy town with a visitor centre, restaurants, hot springs and a small number of lodgings along the lake’s western shores.
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From here you can rent paddle boats, bicycles and scuba gear to explore the crystal clear waters of Shikotsu. Sightseeing cruises of the lake are offered in glass bottomed boats from mid April to early November. In summer there are camping grounds on the Western and Northern banks and is a great place to camp and relax by the calm waters, have a BBQ, light fireworks and swim in the fresh waters. Hiking is also popular and if you have access to a car you can get to the trailhead of Mount Tarumae. The mountain can be climbed in a steep but short ascent in less than an hour. It is not permitted to enter the crater of Mount Tarumae due to poisonous gases though you can trek around the crater which takes about 2 hours. At the top, the mountain offers impressive views of the deserted crater landscape and over Lake Shikotsuko.
On the northern shore stands MARUKAMA ONSEN. This inn is open to guests and to non-staying visitors. The hots springs are located right on the lake waters and offer a relaxing warm bath while enjoying the outside air and beautiful lake views. Conventional hot spring pools are also inside which are gender separated. On the southern shore Morappu Campsite, is located.
Hours and Fees
Marukoma Onsen (for non-staying guests)
HOURS 10:00 to 15:00
COST 1000 yen
Another site of interest is KOKE NO DOMON or MOSS CANYNON. This gulley with a rich variety of plant life lining its walls is located 10 kilometres south of the lake. There is a platform from which to view this moss covered gulley.
Koke no Domon Moss Canyon
HOURS 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:00)
CLOSED Late October to early June
To get to Shikotsu Lake from Sapporo follow highway 453. This takes about 40 minutes. . In the summer, there is also a bus from Sapporo Terminal. From the New Chitose Airport, it takes about one hour. There are four to six buses daily. It takes about one hour and costs ¥1030. Buses will also stop at Chitose station on the way. It takes about 45 minutes and ¥930 to get from Chitose Station to the lake.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | 1000 - 2000 Yen |
| Opening Hours | 12:00 ~ 21:00, Open Sundays. |
| Closed | Open year round. Provisional closings are possible. |
| Contact | 011 211 8554 |
| Notes | No reservations necessary. No smoking/ No private rooms available. Most major credit cards accepted. |
| Location | Sapporo, Central Ward, South 1 Jyo, West 12 Choume, 322-1 AMS Building 1F 札幌中央区南１条西１２丁目３２２−１、AMSビル |
Start your night with a flight
BEER CELLAR SAPPORO is a great example of how the craft beer resurgence in America is influencing beer drinking abroad.In Japan, it’s confirming that beer lovers want more variety, complexity and depth in what could almost be called a national past time.As domestic brewing giants scramble to introduce craft-like products to market, the demand for real craft beer has been growing steadily. And while Japan is in the midst of it’s own brewing renaissance, many bars are focusing on opening American taps for their customers.
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Side plate of venison jerky
Specializing primarily in Oregon-brewed beers, BEER CELLAR SAPPORO has the same authentic taproom vibe that you would find stateside. Solid wooden and metal furniture, concrete floors and a big black chalkboard bring it all together.With eight beers on tap any given night of the week, visitors are certain to find something to quaff their thirst. Not sure what to go with first? Why not start with a beer flight tasting set of four 120ml glasses for ￥1,000 plus tax. Low ABV beers like the India Session Ale from Columbia River Brewing are great for those looking to pace themselves.
One of the many choices on offer
On the opposite end of the spectrum are double digit bruisers like the 10% ABV Grand Cru from Mazama Brewing in Corvallis. If nothing on tap catches your fancy, BEER CELLAR SAPPORO has five fridges full of bottles and cans for those craving a particular flavor. Prices on Oregon favorites like Rogue, Breakside, Columbia River, Coalition and Gilgamesh range from ￥500 cans to ￥3,000 specialty magnum bottles. Growlers are available but the price may be off putting for those on a budget.
Cheese platter
While a nomihodai (all-you-can-drink course) of Sapporo beer at an izakaya or Korean bbq joint is all well and good, you’ll never find a good IPA or stout on such a menu. BEER CELLAR SAPPORO’s food menu may be slim, but its selection of liquids more than makes up for it. They do have a cheese platter and a couple of small rustic side dishes. Planning your evening is as straightforward as can be: eat somewhere else first, and then come here for dessert. Maps, pictures and reviews are available here and here.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | 1100 – 1500 yen |
| Opening Hours | Lunch 11:30 – 15:30 Dinner 17:30 – 23:30 (last order 23:00) |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | This soup curry is amazingly popular. Peek times may require up to 1 hour wait to be seated. |
| Location / Getting There | South 3 West 2 |
Nice design
Hokkaido is famous for its food, especially its seafood and ramen (Chinese noodles) AND its soup curries which originated in Hokkaido. Soup curry, as the name mentions, is a delicious bowl of a spicy soupy broth with a mix of vegetables and a selection of either chicken, pork, or vegetables. It also comes with a side dish of steamy rich. Soup curry is popular in Hokkaido and though many have their own favourite soup curry restaurant everyone can agree there is nothing like a good soup curry, especially on a chilly winter evening.
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English menu
GARAKU Soup Curry is one of many soup curries around Sapporo and is located, conveniently, in the middle of Sapporo. The delicious soup curry aroma hits you as soon as you assail the narrow stairs that leads down to GARAKU. It offers the standard, chicken, pork, mushroom, vegetable, and cheese with bacon and tomato dishes. GARAKU can claim to offer the highest spice levels in Sapporo which ranges from 1 – 5 for the normal diner, 6 – 19 for those who like the heat, and 20 – 40 for those who enjoy the pain! There is a menu in English but the spice level only goes up to 5 on this so be aware that you CAN order up to 40 if so desired. Also offered on the menu is a selection of spirits, beer and lassis, plus fried chicken. At the register, soup curry sets are available for around 500 yen a box, so its possible to take the experience home!
Fried chicken
The head chef at GARAKU is well renowned for his culinary skills and this is a popular place so be warned, be prepared to wait!! The restaurant is not a huge place and seats up to around 50. Depending on the times and days, around 6pm you can expect to find a table almost straight away. Around 7pm however, especially on the weekends, don’t be surprised to see a line of people flowing out and up the stairwell. The wait can be from anywhere from 30 minutes to 50 minutes but if you don’t mind the wait, the fine feast at the end is well worth it!
| Admission | – |
| Opening Hours | 10am – 8pm 7 days a week. |
| Closed | – |
| Contact | – |
| Notes | Weekends can be very busy Membership required to enter store & food court |
| Location / Getting There | 9-3-1 Utsukushigaoka Ichijo, Kiyota-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido |
The well known U.S warehouse retail branch first opened up its first branch in Japan in 1999 and now has 24 locations nationwide. Hokkaido’s first and currently only Costco hit the scene in 2008 and has been very popular, especially among restauranteurs and expats looking for a little taste of home. Costco has it all. It is basically a warehouse size supermarket selling food in bulk at cheap rates. Consumers generally frequent Costco for its range of produce. It has a large vegetable and fruit section. Its meat section contains large cuts of steaks. Most Japanese supermarkets meat sections don’t stock thick steaks so Costco is a welcome establishment to the city of Sapporo. Roasted chickens are also made hourly and are well worth the 800 yen. You name it, Costco has it…..in BULK! Pork, sausages, frozen foods, dairy, blocks of cheese, seafood, huge pizzas, sushi, pallets of coffee, cereals, condiments, chocolates, pastas, sauces, juices, wines from all over, beer, spirits and more! Simply pile it all into the giant shopping trolleys!
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Not only is food on the menu, but Costco has medicines, toiletries, an electronics section, appliances, hardware goods, outdoor furniture, cheap clothing, school supplies, summer gear, sporting gear, cleaning goods, the works. Why buy a couple of rolls of toilet paper when you can stock up with 2 dozen! If you are a first time shopper you will need to get your yearly membership card. There are two kinds of membership at Costco. There is Gold Star Membership at 4000 yen and there is Business Membership at 3500 yen which is available to all licensed businesses. To get the yearly membership you need to be 18 years or older. Once you are a member you may use your membership card anywhere in the world at any location and you may also bring up to two guests. ID is needed to get membership, and it may also be gotten online through the Costco website.
Getting to Costco is a bit tricky if you don’t have your own transportation. Using public transport, take the Toho subway line (blue line) to Fukuzumi station and then from across the road at bus stop no. 8 take the Route Fuku 97 or 96 bus and get off at Sanrizuka Elementary School. From there its a 3 minute walk. As you will most probably buying large quantities of groceries it is highly recommended you get your own wheels. Its a 40 minute drive from the centre of town along route 36. Costco will be on the right hand side.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ￥1000 ~ ￥2000 lunch ￥2,000 ~￥3000 dinner |
| Opening Hours | Open 7 days a week. Lunch 11:30 – 14:30 Café 14:30 – 17:30 Dinner 17:30 – 23:00 (LO food 22:00) |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | brooklynparlor.co.jp +81 11-209-3737 |
| Notes | Coffee shop, seating 130, non smoking, books available to read, hamburgers on menu, English menu available |
| Location / Getting There | Central Sapporo. Located in Akarenga Terrace shopping centre, on the 2nd floor. Top of the escalator and turn to the right 〒060-0002 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Kita 2 Jōnishi, 4 Chome−1, Akarenga Terrace. North 2, West 4 |
Shopping in downtown Sapporo can be exhausting work. In and around Sapporo station are a multitude of opportunities to spend money. Visitors to the city flock to the big electronics stores, apparel shops and boutiques from sun up to sun down. Inevitably, with all the walking, bag toting and picture taking that comes with such activity, the need to sit, relax and replenish one’s energy will arise.
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Perfect brew to relax
Located on the 2nd floor of the new Akarenga Terrace Building between Sapporo and Odori stations, BROOKLYN PARLOR is a great place to refuel. With seating for 130 people, there is rarely a need to wait to take a table. This is important, as this establishment is the type of place where it’s very easy to while away the afternoon into the evening. Part high-ceiling café, part sit-down restaurant BROOKLYN PARLOR offers a variety of New York-styled dishes. From coconut lattes and caramel-drizzled pancakes to juicy avocado and bacon cheeseburgers and a pint of Brooklyn Lager, there’s something sure to please any hungry guest. Or for those just wanting a beverage, there are a number of specialty coffee drinks and cocktails, as well as non-alcoholic cocktails, juices and teas.
The interior design has all the trappings of a good book café back in the Big Apple, with funky tables and chairs, lots of plants and hundreds of books to thumb through at your leisure. Large windows provide a great view of the brick plaza leading up to the Douchou, the former Hokkaido capital building. Jazz music helps set the mood and on weekends local and out-of-town musicians perform on a small side stage.
BROOKLYN PARLOR’s appeal lies in the comfort of its ambiance and quality of its menu. In a highly competitive area for restaurants, this is one that’s sure to be around for a long time.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | 1000 - 2000 Yen. |
| Opening Hours | 6pm - 3 am Daily 6pm - 12 am Sunday |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | +81 11-251-1087 |
| Notes | A small bar that is very popular. Can be full seating often. |
| Location | 7 Chome Minami 2 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 060-0062, Japan |
Front entrance to Kalahana
Although perhaps most famous for its auto and electronics exports, there are of course other markets in which Japan participates globally. Booze is one of them, and the name Sapporo is synonymous with beer, which you can read about here. A sister city with Munich, Sapporo holds an annual beer garden where revelers consume countless liters of light pilsner style lagers. In convenience stores, hotel lobbies and pretty much any restaurant you swing into, you will no doubt be offered the choice of a beer. With sales eclipsing those of traditional Japanese spirits, it is the favored social lubricant of the masses.
The owner, always more than happy to serve up his ale.
Sapporo is a beer lover’s city and has several downtown bars that specialize in the getting the good stuff. I’m talking proper brown and red ales, skull-splitting stouts and aphotic porters. Thirsting for an IPA potent enough to have you buzzing by the bottom of the glass? You’re in luck. You can find all of these and more at Kalahana. Located in the 7th block of Tanuki Koji (狸小路7丁目), this funky little bar is a mainstay in the covered Susukino arcade.The round table in front of the store is a great place to people watch when the temps permit. Inside you’ll find a cozy, wooden-floored bar, with all the trappings of a legitimate local watering hole. There’s seating for 22, although one or two more can squeeze in with a bit of shuffling. Edibles are listed on the large blackboard on the back wall, all of it simple, well-executed pub fare. Beers are in constant rotation and one week’s specialty might be the following week’s fond memory. The atmosphere is perpetually jolly in Kalahana, and it’s easy to become a fixture for the night. The staff is happy to talk beer, or whatever banter your greased gears crank out. It doesn’t take long before things get chummy and cross-table conversation becomes inevitable.
Some good craft beer
On a recent Friday night, my wingman and I were fortunate enough to grab an open table in the back. He started with a Belgian Wit bier, while I went to the opposite end of the spectrum with a 9% orange chocolate porter. So as not to drown ourselves early in the night, we ordered assorted cheeses and pâté to line our stomachs. Thirty minutes later we were into our second round of drinks, both of us opting for a full glass of Oregon IPA. The owners of the bar are a salt-of-the-earth hippie couple with impeccable taste in funk and jazz music. Couple this with good food and drink and you’re bound to leave satisfied. I’d be remiss not to point out that Japan’s version of a pint and a real pint (American or UK) are two different things, something to keep in mind if you’re drinking on a budget. The craft beer movement isn’t new in Japan, but it’s slow to gain the same traction as it has in the United States. High national taxes on malt are to blame, making beer drinking prohibitively expensive for some. Many younger patrons feel 1,200 yen is better spent on an all-the-mass-produced-beer-you-can-drink-in-2 hours option than a single glass of import beer. Still, there comes a time when plebeian swill just won’t cut it. In such a case, stroll on down to Kalahana for a glass of righteousness.
