Sandandaki Park & Falls

Admission-
Opening HoursOpen 24 hours
Contact-
NotesSightseeing spot , parking available, rest rooms available, walking trails
Location /
Getting There
Located along route 452 in the Ashibetsu province, between Yubari and Ashibetsu. 30 minute drive from Furano, 20 minute drive from Ashibetsu. 1 hour 30 minute drive from Sapporo.
Ashibetsu, Hokkaido 075-0000

 

三段滝公園

The path down to the falls

Located in the district of Ashibetsu you can a nice little park called Sandandaki Park. It is located along route 245. This route is often used on the way to Furano (a popular sightseeing town) or to Ashibetsu so the park serves well as a stop over or rest area for those driving along. What makes this park a popular spot are the Sandan Falls, which are only a five minute stroll from the large carpark. The path makes for a pleasant stroll as it is surrounded by forest area, with the river flowing down on the left hand side.


[the_ad id=”4264″]


三段滝公園

The falls during summer

The river in question is the Ashibetsu River. It flows for sixty kilometres, and runs through to the city of Ashibetsu itself. The Sandan Falls can be found around halfway along the Ashibetsu river not far from the park. The falls can range from a small trickle to a raging torrent during spring after the snowmelt. The river is especially beautiful during the spring with a couple of cherry blossoms and in autumn with the foliage along the river. Sandandaki Park has restrooms next to the parking lot, and there are benches to take a seat and enjoy the view.



Mt. Tengu

Mt Tengu Ropeway¥1200 Adult round trip
¥600 Child round trip
*discount for groups of 20 or more
¥1500 Adults round trip ticket + ¥800 meal coupon:
Opening Hours9:30 - 21:00
Closed-
Contact0134-33-7381
NotesObservatory, gift shop, restaurants, hiking path,
Squirrel park, shrine, snow gallery,
Wheelchair access
Location /
Getting There
Take the Chuo (#9 天狗山ロープウエイ線) bus from Otaru station terminal, or Otaru canal terminal. Get off at "Tenguyama" (last stop). Takes about 15 minutes.
2-chōme-16-16 Mogami, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0023

 

Great views

At an altitude of 532 meters, Mt. Tengu is a symbolic mountain of Otaru. It offers beautiful views overlooking Otaru, and the Sea of Japan. The night view from the observatory is particular stunning. Mt. Tengu has a lot to see and do besides the fantastic view. They have a restaurant and coffee shop with panoramic views, a hiking area, a downhill sled ride, a shrine, a museum, and a squirrel enclosure. To get to the top, there is a ropeway that runs every twelve minutes from 9am until 8:48pm.


[the_ad id=”4264″]


“Tengu” of Japanese folklore

Once alighting the cablecar, you will first enter the gift shop and restaurant, where you can sit and have lunch, dinner or coffee. If you need lockers, there are a few here for ¥500 for the day, and which are cheaper than the lockers at the bottom of the mountain. It is here too, you can see the Otaru Winter Museum, and the Tengu Hall which has fantastic Tengu masks on display. Outside, there is “Nausea’s Tengu”, a giant Tengu sculpture, which if you touch the nose, your wishes will come true. Behind this is a squirrel enclosure (open only during the summer), and a shrine, known as “Tengusan Shrine”. The shrine in the evening is lit by lanterns and is especially beautiful during this time.




One of the observation points

Circling around the top of the mountain is a small hiking path. It takes about 25 minutes to walk around. It is a pleasant walk and while walking around there are a couple of clear vantage points that offer beautiful views over the surrounding area. Finally, for kids and adults there is a downhill bobsled track that runs for 400 meters. The track costs ¥500 for adults and ¥300 for children. The track is closed during bad weather. All this during the summer, and during the winter there is skiing and snowboarding as well! A great place for family and friends.


天狗山

Impressive views up

To get to the mountain, you can drive or take a bus. Buses leave from Otaru station, and Otaru canal bus terminal. For night viewing, there is an ‘Otaru Nightview Shuttle Bus’ (小樽夜景シャトルバス). This shuttle bus leaves from the the Otaru Grand Park Hotel at 18:50 and 19:20. It does a run through Otaru, stopping further at Hotel Otaru Furukawa, Hotel Sonia, Hotel Nord, Otaru Canal Bus Terminal, The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum, Inaho Jujigai, and the Otaru Train Station Bus Teminal. It operates from the end April until the start of November and costs ¥210 per adult, and ¥110 per child.



Mt. Haruka

Height907m / 2962ft
Length12km round trip
Hiking TimeWinter - 4 hours to summit
Summer - 3 hours to summit
NotesCabin available (booking required 011-571-5111)
Overnight stay ¥800 per person
Location /
Getting There
Take the National Road 5 国道5号線, 30 minute drive from Sapporo.
30 minute walk to trail head from Zenibako station.
Jozankei, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2301

 


Cool sights along the path

This relatively easy hike is a popular trail, especially for locals. For those not heading to the top, there are places along the way to forage for wild mushrooms. To get to the trail head, take the National Road 5 国道5号線, turn left (coming from Sapporo), turn right (coming from Otaru) at the intersection between a 7-11 and a Ralse Supermarket. Follow this road through a residential area up to the trail head. Alternatively, it is a thirty minute walk from Zenibako JR station. You can make this a great day trip, or stay overnight at a cabin which can be found three quarters of the way up.


[the_ad id=”4264″]


Ginjinso cabin

The cabin that can be found is a two story structure and is well kept. It was built in 1960, and since 1974 it is operated as a welfare facility of Tokai University. Be warned, you will need to reserve the cabin in advance if you wish to stay the night! The custodian who stays there runs a tight ship, but the facilities there are great. There is a toilet and cooking facilities here, bunk beds and a warm stove can be found here also. The start of the hike is on a gradual incline making for a pleasant walk. After the cabin, the trail gets quite steep and is a thirty minute trek to the top.



Mt. Usu

General AdmissionRopeway
¥1600 - Adults
¥800 - Children
Opening Hours8:30 - 17:00
(During winter, the ropeway stops 1 hour earlier)
Closed-
Contact0142-75-2401
Notes400 car parking spots : ¥500
40 bus parking spots : ¥2000
40 minutes to Usu Observation deck
Restaurants and shops at bottom of ropeway
Location /
Getting There
From JR Toyako station, take the Donan Bus bound for Toyako Onsen. (15 min.)
Get off at the Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal. Change buses to Showa Shinzan and get off at last stop (15 min.)
*No bus service to Showa Shinzan in winter.

2 and a half hour drive from Sapporo city.
184-5 Aza Showa Shinzan, Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, Hokkaido, Japan 052-0102

 


The ropeway up overlooking Shōwa-Shinzan

Mount Usu is an active stratovolcano in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Since 1900, it has erupted a total of four times. In 1910, in 1944 which created Shōwa-Shinzan, in 1977, and as recent as March, 2000. Mt. Usu is formed on the southern rim of the caldera which contains Lake Toya. Mount Usu and Shōwa-Shinzan are major tourist attractions in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. The best way to see the Shōwa-Shinzan peak and Mt. Usu is to take the cable car to the top. From here, it is a 10 minute walk to the viewing platform offering views looking down over Lake Toya, Shōwa-Shinzan, and the towns of Date and Toyako.


[the_ad id=”4264″]


Path along the basin crater

The car park to get to the ropeway is just off Lake Toya. From here you can take the ropeway up. It takes about thirty minutes to get to the Observation Deck via the ropeway and after a short walk. If you want to explore further, there is a path that leads further down into, and around, the Usu Crater Basin. It is a nice hike along the path, though it will take an extra hour heading down and back. It is a long flight of stairs down to the path along the craters edge, so bring some water! The path around has some stunning views along the coast. Inside and outside the crater you can see the volcanic steam vents coming through the surface.




Volcano Village

After taking in some spectacular views, you can make your way back to the ropeway and head down to the “Volcano Village” next to the car park, which lies at the bottom of Mt. Usu and Shōwa-Shinzan. Here you can find a half dozen restaurants, toilet facilities, souvenir shops, and information centers, and a museum. The Information center has information on what to explore in the area. There is also an eruption experience room using sounds and images. There is also a theater with a film on the history of Mt. Usu. The gallery, here too, has panels with images on the area.


Restaurant Funka-tei9:00 - 15:00Soba noodle and curry restaurant
Volcano Ramen10:00 - 15:00Ramen noodle shop
Village Store
Shopping
9:00 - 18:00 Summer
9:00 - 16:00 Winter
Souvenir Shops
Hinokuniya
Honpo Shopping
9:00 - 19:00 Summer
9:00 - 16:00 Winter
Souvenir Shops



NAC Niseko Adventures

Price¥6150 per person *Average price
Office Hours8:00 - 21:00
Closed-
ContactTel: +81-136-23-2093
Fax: +81-136-23-2094
Mail: info@nacadventures.jp
http://www.nacadventures.jp/en/
Notes Summer Outdoor Activites
White water rafting
Mountain biking
Trekking
Canyoning
Stand up paddling
Adventure park

Winter Outdoor Activities
Skiing & Snowboarding lessons
Deep powder runs
Snowshoeing
Location /
Getting There
Central Niseko. 2 hour drive from Sapporo and New Chitose Airport
179-53 Yamada, Kutchan-chō, Abuta-gun, Hokkaidō 044-0081, Japan


Ducky paddling down the river

NAC Niseko Adventures is the largest adventure company in Japan! Being the first company in the Niseko area to provide adventure tours, and with over seven years experience, they offer safe and fun activities that are fantastic for families and friends! The huge NAC centre is impossible to miss. Located along route 343, it is a well known landmark in Niseko. The building was originally a junior high school gymnasium, which was taken down, moved and then rebuilt at its present location. This monster undertaking by the NAC staff has helped shape the legend of NAC.


[the_ad id=”4264″]


Snowshoeing Treks


With the beautiful and extensive scenery of the Niseko area, NAC offers a huge amount of activities during summer and winter! NAC Niseko’s primary concern is for the safety of their customers. With experienced guides, you can relax and enjoy your adventure in any season. Throughout the year, they deliver adventures that people would not normally have a chance to do! Not only do NAC offer fun adventures, they also have fun activities for kids, and numerous events throughout the year! While in Hokkaido, be sure to take a tour with NAC. Check below for list of activities offered.

Summer Activities
Winter Activities

Sapporo Dake (Mt Sapporo)

Mt Sapporo

Height1293 m / 4114 ft
Length11km round trip
Hiking TimeWinter - 4 hours to the top
Summer - 3 hours to the top
NotesCar needed
Cabin available - Free
Location /
Getting There
Sapporo-dake, Jozankei, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture 061-2301

Take route 230 past Jozankei , turn left heading to Hoheikyo Hot Spring.


Mt Sapporo

Hike up through winter

For outdoor enthusiasts there is a great hike up to Mt. Sapporo (Sapporo Dake). The views from the 1293m summit are spectacular! You can catch stunning views of Sapporo on one side and on the other, there are views of the inactive volcano, Mt Yotei. The hike is medium and to get to the summit it takes about 4 hours in winter with snowshoes and about 3 in summer. The length is about 6 km from the hike starting point. You will need a car to get to there! (refer to the map to see where the starting point is).

Mt Sapporo

Hiyamizu Hut

The hike can be done in a day but if you are looking for a weekend away, there is a cabin halfway up. The cabin is 2 stories and is decked out with a fireplace, a kitchen area with cups and cooking knives, tables, chairs, a toilet, and oil lamps. The cabin is sometimes locked, but if you are caught out in a blizzard or are in need of shelter the back windows are easy to open. The cabin, known as Hiyamizu Hut is looked after by a local resident and the firewood is constantly stocked up. If you do stay at the cabin then make sure you leave it clean and tidy for the next hikers!

Mt Sapporo

Start of the trail


For an even more spectacular view of the sunrise from the mountain summit, leave the cabin at around 3:30am in the morning. If you can wake up its well worth it! To get to the trail head you will need a car! It’s less than an hour’s drive from the centre of Sapporo. Turn off onto the road from the Number 230 Road, and follow the signs to Hoheikyo Dam. Just before reaching the parking of the Dam, you’ll see a a sign indicating the Sapporo dake Trailhead on the left side. During winter you will need snowshoes. For information on where to get some good hiking gear go to Shugakusou Outdoor.