| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0142-82-5076 |
| Notes | Buddhist temple, sightseeing spot, photography spot, historical landmark |
| Location / Getting There | Located on the northern shore of Lake Toya. Can be found just above the road located north of Route 132 23 Toyamachi, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5802 |
On the northern shore of Lake Toya you can find Toya Temple and a scenic monument of Hokkaido. They are both just off route 132 and there is a road leading up where you can find parking. Toya Temple is a Shinto shrine that offers scenic views over the lake. The public are welcome to walk around the small grounds here where you can appreciate the statues, architecture, and wooden carvings that surround the temple. The doors to the temple itself are often closed but it’s still a nice area to check out. The temple makes for a nice look in if you are taking a stroll around the path that follows the shore.
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The path that winds around the northern part of the lake that includes sightseeing spots such as Ukimido Park, and Toyako Art Museum & park plus the Ko Park Camping Ground. The whole area is dotted with beautiful sculptures. Along the small access road that leads to Toya Temple, you can also find one of the ‘scenic monuments of Hokkaido’. There are three scenic monuments in Hokkaido, with the other two being in Jozankei, and on the small island of Rishiri. These three scenic monuments were selected in 1923 by the Otaru Newspaper which was one of three main papers in Hokkaido at the time.
| Admission | ¥300 adults ¥200 high school students ¥100 children Free for Toyako townspeople |
| Opening Hours | 10:30 - 16:30 |
| Closed | Mondays November to March |
| Contact | 0142-87-2525 |
| Notes | Local art gallery, parking available, wheelchair access |
| Location / Getting There | Located on the northern side of Lake Toya. 3 minute walk from Toya Mizu-no-eki (Toyasui Station). 35-17 Tōyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido 049-5721 |
The Toyako Art Museum is a small art museum that can be found by the northern shores of Lake Toya. The museum predominantly displays works from local artists. They have works from sculptors, painters, photographers, and writers. Inside the lovely rooms, there is a collection of first edition books, plus limited edition books from modern and contemporary writers. There is also works of the Village International Sculpture Biennale on display. Whilst looking at the artworks, viewers can also get nice views from the windows that look out directly across the lake.
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Throughout the year, the Toyako Art Museum holds a variety of events, including special exhibitions and mini concerts. Besides the Toyako Art Museum, you can also find a nice little park across the road. The park is home to a historical landmark, being the monument of Okubo Jinnojo. Okubo Jinnojo was a statesman, born in 1849 in Shikoku. He, among other things, used his money for pioneering Hokkaido, especially in the Toya district. To get to the museum and park, you can take a bus from Toyako Onsen bus terminal bound for Toya Mizu no Eki (Toyasui Station). Get off at Toyasui station and it’s a three minute walk from there.
| Admission | Free admission |
| Opening Hours | All day |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0139-42-2275 |
| Notes | Parking available 175 cars, Toilets, Wheelchair access & toilets. Matsumae Sakura Festival (late April-mid May) Matsumae Ajisa Festival (early August) |
| Location / Getting There | 6 hour drive from Sapporo or 2 hour bus ride from Hakadote, get off at "Matsujo Bus Stop", 7 minutes on foot. Matsujo, Matsumae-cho, Matsumae-gun, Hokkaido, Japan 049-1511 |
The extensive Matsumae Park
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The path running through the park
Besides the cherry blossoms the park has other flowers that bloom throughout the summer and spring. Camellias come out from April to May, dandelions & azaleas in mid-May. In early June, wisterias are in bloom, and from July you can see hydrangeas & roses in the park. There is a path that runs through all the way up to a second park at the back and to the base of the mountains. It is well worth a walk up as at the top you can enjoy great views looking over the whole of Matsumae Park and the Strait of Tsugaru. There are two festivals held in Matsumae park, the first is the Matsumae Sakura Festival which is held from late April to mid May. The second is the Matsumae Ajisa Festival in early August.
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 22:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-207-5000 |
| Notes | Shopping area Restaurants Beer bar Arts & crafts |
| Location / Getting There | 5 minute walk from Bus Center Mae subway station, which is one stop from Chuo-ku station (central Sapporo) 4 Chome Kita 2 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0032 |
Beautiful old architecture
Factory Renga-Kan is a part of the shopping complex, known as ‘Sapporo Factory’, which is made up of four large buildings. Built originally in 1876 as the Sapporo Pioneering Beer Brewery, the Factory complex is now used as a shopping centre, for a place to dine, and to take in a piece of history in the Sapporo area. The Renga-Kan is located on the western side of Factory, and is a short walk across the courtyard from ‘the atrium’. The Renga-Kan, which literally translates to ‘Brick Museum’ is a three story building that is perfect for shopping for arts & crafts, a photographic spot, and for some fine dining.
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The brewery observation hall
The first floor has kids park, the Sapporo Kaitakushi Brewery where you can observe the brewing process. Right by this brewery is a tasting room, where you can taste some traditional Sapporo beers and a great spot for tourists! On this floor you can also find four restaurants, plus a wine cellar with some fantastic wines! The ‘La Brique’ is a gorgeous French restaurant that is attached to the wine cellar. ‘Terzina Trattoria Pizzeria’ is an Italian restaurant and there is a fresh produce restaurant and market called ‘Fresh Factory’. Last but not least is the beer hall, with some hearty meals and beer!
Shopping area
Where the first floor is for feasting, the second floor is for shopping. Here, through the beautiful old hallways and creaking floorboards you can find an array of arts and craft shops. You can also watch the artists creating their works in their small workshops in the stores. There is jewelry , toys, woodwork and metal work on sale. There is also a furniture store, and an Iranian carpet store with some fantastic wares. The third floor is made up of photographic studios plus a ceramic workshop, kids school, and a theatre academy school.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Residence: 9:00 - 17:00 Garden: 8:45 - 17:30 |
| Closed | Weekends, public holidays, New Years *Closed occasionally due to official affairs |
| Contact | 011-611-4221 |
| Notes | No parking |
| Location / Getting There | 16 Chome Kita 1 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 060-0001 5 minute walk from Nishi 18 Chome subway station (Tozai Line) Located across from the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art From Sapporo Station on JR, Subway Namboku and Toho Lines, take the Chuo Bus or JR Hokkaido Bus (42, 55, 65, 57, 66, 80, 62, 63) and get off at "Doritsu kindai bijutsukan" |
Spacious lawn
The Hokkaido Governor’s Official Residence was first built in 1936 as a holiday home for the Mitsui Gakuin Company. In 1953 it became the property of Hokkaido and used as the residence for the governor. It has since been used for various meetings and other functions, for national and foreign dignitaries. The residence was selected in 1998 as one of 100 local cultural sites known as the ‘Furusato Bunka Hyakusen’. In 1999 it was registered as a cultural asset. Apart from serving as a space for functions, it has served as a location for various television programs.
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Japanese elms
The Governer’s Residence is a hidden gem in Sapporo. Covering 5 square hectares the Governor’s residence has a huge lawn, and garden area with over 2400 trees making it the perfect spot to walk around and relax. Interestingly, the garden contains a pit dwelling from the Jomon era, thousands of years old. Pristine streams snake their way through this well manicured park area and there are plenty of benches to sit, relax and take in the greenery. The lawn and wooded area also contains sculptures.
The house itself is 2 stories and is designed in the ‘Half-timber style’ similar to that of English and northern European architecture. The reception staff is very helpful and you are free to walk around and look through the rooms, though taking off shoes is required. There are a dozen or so rooms to look around and are spacious with high ceilings and oak furnishings. It is interesting to walk through and read about each room! Information is available in multiple languages.
Clock Tower
| Admission | Adults ¥200 |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 to 17:00 Daily |
| Closed | January 1st to January 3rd |
| Contact | 011-231-0838 |
| Notes | - |
| Location / Getting There | Japan, 〒060-0001 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Kita 1 Jōnishi, 2 Chome 札幌市時計台 |
Located in the center of Sapporo just by Odori park, the clock tower was constructed in 1878. Sapporo was developed in the late 1860’s which makes the clock tower the oldest remaining structure in the city. The idea for the tower came from Dr. John Clark who was the vice principal of the Sapporo School of Agriculture at that time. The tower is American designed and served originally as a drill hall for students to do their physical education and military training. It also served as a hall for ceremonies.
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The clock tower now serves as a museum housing exhibits, photos and information on the history of agriculture in Sapporo and the development of Sapporo. Although dwarfed by the some of the surrounding modern buildings, the clock tower serves as one of Sapporo’s most famous icons. For foreign and domestic tourists, the tower is a hugely popular building. There is a constant stream of people taking the opportunity to visit and photograph this much loved piece of history.
In 1970, Sapporo Clock Tower was designated an ‘Important Cultural Property’ and certified as ‘Mechanical Engineering Heritage’ of Japan in 2009.