| 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 historical pictures and panels of the local area, and videos and exhibits detailing the electricity system. You will need access to your own transport to get there, though if you are a bit more adventurous, its a good walk from the central onsen district of Jozankei.
There is plenty of parking at the dam if you are driving. 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, Nishiki bridge, as well as all the Onsens!
| Area | Size 78.4 km² Depth 363 m |
| Things to see | Jozankei Dam |
| Notes | Scenic drive, photography spot, toilets at lake, observation deck, parking available |
| Getting There | The lake is a 50 minute drive from central Sapporo. Head south taking Route 230 heading towards Jozankei. Turn right onto Route 1 just before the town of Jozankei, and head along the 'Otaru Jozankei Road'. This winding road leads to the lake. Jozankei, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2301 |
If you are looking for a nice scenic drive, Lake Sapporo is only an hour away from the central Sapporo. The lake is actually an artificial lake that was formed with the construction of Jozankei Dam in 1989. The drive up crosses over the dam and the winding road has beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The lake has two observation points with ample parking plus toilet facilities. These observation decks offer relaxing views over the lake and are a good spot to get some photos in any season, especially during the autumn and winter.
Besides the views at this peaceful spot, the lake is popular for canoeing and you can also find the occasional fisherman standing at its banks. During the summer, rainbow trout, whitespotted char, and ito fish (an east asian fish from the salmon family) are game to be caught. During the winter, Japanese pond smelt can be found. There are walking paths down to the water from the car parking and if you bring a packed lunch, there are some nice spots to sit and eat. For a nice day out, the drive around the lake is a scenic one, in any season!
| Cost per night | ¥6000 bungalow for 6 (Japanese style room) ¥4000 bungalow for 4 ¥600 tent campsite adults ¥400 tent campsite children |
| Open | May 1st - October 31st |
| Contact | 0142-66-2201 http://okutoya.com/sightseeing/sobetsu/pg119.html |
| Notes | Bungalows, Lake Toya views, parking lot, management building, toilets, kitchen, shower, astronomical observation dome, barbecue house |
| Location / Getting There | Located found on the south eastern edge of Lake Toya. 16 minute drive from Lake Toya Onsen district or a 18 minute drive from central Sobetsu. 3-1 Higashikohan, Sobetsu, Usu District, Hokkaido 052-0104, Japan |
For those looking for a rustic place to stay with some privacy, and away from the main tourist hot spots, the Forest and Tree Village Centre is a nice option. It is not a hotel but a center that has a couple of bungalows to rent. The main building is two stories with two large tatami rooms that can be rented for large groups of up to six. This building also has toilet facilities and showers. Outside of the building, you can find barbecue facilities on the large property here. Here you are free to use these to cook up a great summer barbecue for family or friends.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
For a starry experience, adjacent to the main building, you can find the astronomical observation dome. The dome is attached by a walkway to the main center from the second floor. Through the telescope here you can observe the impressive night sky! Apart from the views of the Milky Way, there are fantastic views overlooking the Lake Toya, plus views of Mt. Usu. Adjacent to the main center, and slightly apart from the observation deck are the bungalows. These private bungalows, slightly further down the hill, are suitable for up to groups of four.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Grounds open all day |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0167-52-2115 (Travel Tourism) |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, lavender blooms from late June to end of July |
| Location / Getting There |
The Lake Kanayama Lavender Fields are found on the shores of Kanayama Lake and are a great spot to get some good photos, and enjoy the gardens that have been made there. The lavender fields are in full bloom from the end of June and can be viewed until early August. Why not stop in while driving from Sapporo to Furano. The lavender gardens are nice in a beautiful area, and unlike other flower gardens in central Furano, they are not crowded and there is a lot of space to wander around at your leisure! What also makes these gardens unique, they overlook Kanayama Lake and have the mountains in the background making for the perfect backdrop.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
With plenty of parking, and just being right off route 465, the Lavender Fields are an easy spot to visit. Just make sure to bring the camera! There are a few benches plus a covered table so you can take a seat and enjoy the scenic views. It makes the perfect spot to have some lunch or a picnic. Behind the lavender fields on the other side of the road, there is the Kodakara Shrine. This quaint shrine is surrounded by forest. Though beware, the shrine is home to a huge ants nest and the ground is crawling with ants. So while sightseeing, you will have to move quick! The lavender fields are a few minutes walk away from Kanayamakohan Camping Ground so if you have the time, why not stay the night and relax.
| Places of Interest | Kanayama Lavender Fields Kanayama Dam Kodakara Shrine Kanayamo Forest Park Camping Ground |
| Notes | Walking trails, National park, Camping grounds, Canoeing |
| Getting There | Located along route 465 in Minami Furano (South Furano) district. 2 hour drive north east from Sapporo. 40 minute drive south from Furano. Closest station is Higashi-Shikagoe Station, along the Nemuro line. 5 minute walk to the lake from the station. |
In Central Hokkaido located in the district of Minami Furano you can find the impressive Lake Kanayama. This narrow lake stretches for about ten kilometers and is surrounded by wooded mountains. It is formed from the Sorachi River among half a dozen others. It is a very picturesque place to visit, and is a good stop over point of you are driving from Sapporo to Furano via the backroads. On its central northern edge there is the Kanayama Forest Park, which is home to the Kanayamakohan Camping Ground, plus the beautiful Lake Kanayama Lavender Fields. On the eastern edge of the lake, there is the Kanayama Dam.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Along the lake you can often find a few fishermen, but if you want to get a closer look on the lake , then there is a fun canoeing tour that is available for the public! To rent out the canoes, you can talk to the staff at the Kanayama Camping Ground, as this is where the tour starts. The large canoes fit a maximum of five people (2 adults and 3 children) and the tour is overseen by a guide. Tours are from April to September and run for 1 hour 30 minutes. The canoes are available from 6:00 until 16:00. Guide, insurance, plus equipment is all included in the price, which is ¥5000 per canoe (cash only). There are five canoes so a maximum of up to 25 people!
| Cost per night | ¥4,110 Large camper site ¥3,080 Camper site ¥2,570 Bungalow ¥610 Camping (per adult) ¥240 Camping (per child) |
| Open | May to September |
| Contact | 0167-52-3132 http://www.minamifurano-hokkaido.jp/kousya/camp/camp.html |
| Notes | Lakeside campsite, 500 camping spots, 7 bungalows, washing area, toilets, parking, 3 cooking spots, no direct fires on lawn or bonfires, no fireworks, outdoor stage available to rent Kanayama Lake Water Festival (July: last Sunday) |
| Location / Getting There | From Sapporo, it is a 2 and a half hour drive north east. From Furano it is a 43 minute drive south. There are no train stations. Higashishikagoe, Minamifurano, Sorachi District, Hokkaido 079-2411 |
The Kanayamakohan Camping Ground is part of the beautiful and scenic Kanayamako Forest Park. This a huge campground on lush lawns overlooking Lake Kanayama. The campgrounds are well managed and kept, with plenty of facilities to make your stay or visit more comfortable. There are five hundred camp spots so its easy to find a private spot if needed, and there are seven small bungalows. On entering you are given some garbage bags plus a a cart so you can carry your camping gear around with ease! Simply find your spot, set up camp, and enjoy the scenery of the lake and mountains.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
The campgrounds are the prefect stop over if you are driving from Sapporo to Furano. The park is located just south of Furano and even if you are not camping here you can stop in and check out the lake, the Lake Kanayama Lavender Fields (which are a must see in summer), and Kodokara shrine. The lake is huge and is a fishing spot for some, and there is a canoe activity that can be rented. The management staff are on site from 8:30 to 18:00. The campsite is open 24 hours a day, so if there are no staff, simply check in the next morning. For groups of thirty or more, there is a discount system.
