Museum Ship Mashu Maru

函館市青函連絡船記念館摩周丸
Admission¥500 Adults
¥250 Children
Opening Hours8:30 - 18:00 (admission until 17:00) April-October
9:00 - 17:00 (admission until 16:00) November-March:
10:00 - 15: 00 December 31st-January 3rd
Closed-
Contact013-827-2500
info@mashumaru.com
http://mashumaru.com
NotesMuseum, guided tours available, no parking (though Hakodate Station Square Parking can be used), restrooms
Location /
Getting There
Located on the western harbor in Hakodate on the old pier. It's only a 4 minute walk from Hakodate station. It's also a 10 minute walk from the Red Brick Warehouses
29-15 Goryokakucho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 040-0001

シーポート公園The Mashu Maru is a ship that once served as a ferry and was the link between Hokkaido and the main island of Honshu. This ferry was in service until its last day on March 13, 1988. It is now moored at the old Hakodate number 2 quay. This platform was the actual platform from which the Mashu Maru operated from. In what is an already historical city, it now serves as a museum adding to the history, and sees its days welcoming sightseers. Close by to the ferry you can find Ika Square and Seaport Park, which is not a bad spot to have some take away lunch!

 

Once on board the Mashu Maru (kind of pronounced like marshmallow) you can access various parts of the ship. Take a turn at the wheel at the wheelhouse, or have a look at the wireless communication room as it was back in the day. One of the front cabins was remodeled into an exhibition room and has models and parts from the ferry. There is also a history of the ferry with panels and images. Unfortunately, there is no access to the main engine room or overall control room though you can see these rooms via a monitor camera that you can control. Access to the deck is available, though in the event of strong winds or snow parts of the deck will closed to the public. On board you can find a small shop selling souvenirs. Enjoy!

 

New Chitose Airport

新千歳空港
Opening Hours5:00 - 23:00
Closed-
Contact0123-23-0111
http://www.new-chitose-airport.jp/ja/
NotesInternational and domestic terminals, restaurants, 2 hotel, play area, museum, and souvenir stores, wheelchair access
Location /
Getting There
New Chitose Airport is in the south west of Hokkaido. It is about a 45 minute train ride from Sapporo city. The cost is ¥1150 per person
Bibi, Chitose, Hokkaido 066-0012

新千歳空港The New Chitose Airport opened in 1988 to replace the old airport. Since then the airport has been upgraded and has expanded its international terminal as well as its domestic terminal. The airport is the gateway to Hokkaido and sees over twenty million visitors each year pass through its gates. From the airport to the major city of Sapporo, it is a 45 minute train ride or an hour bus ride. The three story complex has an array of souvenir stores, restaurants, relaxation facilities, and entertainment facilities. 

Points of interest at the New Chitose Airport include the Hokkaido Ramen Dojo. You can enjoy one more ramen bowl before heading home. There are ten famous Hokkaido ramen stores to choose from. At the airport you can also check out Roycs Chocolate World. They have a small factory to watch, a chocolate museum, and of course, a chocolate shop. There is also a small Doraemon Sky park for the kids. For those needing to relax there is the New Chitose Airport Onsen. Here they have reclining chairs to relax and wait for your flight. This airport closes at 11:00pm so there is nowhere to stay overnight. This onsen is available to stay at however! 

The trains that run from New Chitose Airport leave around every fifteen minutes. The trains run from the basement floor. For buses see below. 

Sapporo (via Fukuzumi station)
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo
Bus stop 14, 22
Oyachi
Kita 24 (via Asabu)
Miyanosawa
Sapporo Beer Garden (via kanjo dori east)
Bus stop 13, 20
Makomanai
Maruyama Bus Terminal
Soen,Nishi 14-chome
Kita 9-jo
Bus stop 12, 21
Jozankei Onsen
Obihiro
Tokachigawa Onsen
Asahikawa 21
Bus stop 21
Downtown Chitose
Atsuma
Lake Shikotsu
Bus stop 1, 28
Tomakomai
Muroran
Noboribetsu Onsen
Urakawa
Hobetsu
Shiraoi
Bus stop 2, 29
Ski bus Niseko
Rustsu
Bus stop 12

Toyako Visitor Center

洞爺湖ビジターセンター
AdmissionFree entry
Volcano Museum
¥600 Adults - ¥300 Children
Opening Hours9:00 - 17:00
ClosedDecember 31 to January 3
Contact0142-75-2555
http://www.toyako-vc.jp/en/volcano/
NotesMuseum, parking available, local information.
Volcano Theater show times are held every 30 minutes from 9:30 to 16:30
Location /
Getting There
Located on the southern shore of Lake Toya. A 2 minute drive up the hill from central Toya Onsen district.
142-5 Toyakoonsen, Toyako, Abuta District, Hokkaido 049-5721

The Toyako Visitor center is a beautifully designed building that was established in May of 2007. The facility was made by the Ministry of the Environment. It is an information center that focuses on the environment and the interesting biodiversity of Lake Toya. Through exhibitions and displays, the facility helps visitors get in touch with the area, and introducing various eco-museum projects. There is also a fantastic Volcano Museum inside, which looks at the volcanic activity of the area, both past and present!

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The volcanic science museum can be found at the Toyako Visitor Center. It is an interesting small museum that focuses on the eruptions at Lake Toya that occurred in 1977, and in 2000. Through exhibitions, and experience devices you can get a real feel for the impact of these volcanic eruptions, and introduces the history of Mount Usu. There is a theatre inside which is fascinating and definitely worth a visit. The 13 minute documentary delves into the eruptions with sound and visuals which leave a strong impact. The audio device has translations into English, Korean, Chinese,  and Thai.

Road Station Ishikari “Atsuta Museum”

Pricing Guide
(Avg. cost per person)
-
Opening Hours9:00 - 19:00
Closed-
Contact0133-78-2300
NotesRest stop, Museum, Food available, Souvenir store, Observation deck, Parking available
Location /
Getting There
Found on the Ishikari coastal road, route 231. It's a 1 hour drive from Sapporo.
12-4 Atsutaku Atsuta, Ishikari-shi, Hokkaidō 061-3601

 

道の駅 石狩「あいろーど厚田」

Observation deck

On the western coast of Hokkaido, along the scenic coastal drive on route 231, you can find the Road Station Ishikari, and the Atsuta Museum. There are two places to stop at, one being the Ai Road Yuhinooka Rest Stop which is an older building with free coffee and “bentos” (lunch box sets). The Ishikari Road Station is the more recent, modern and larger building is on the opposite side of the road from the Yuhinooka Rest Stop. It has three floors that contains a souvenir store, a museum, a food court, and an observation deck to take in views of the coastline.


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道の駅 石狩「あいろーど厚田」

Energy for the drive from Ishikari Fumiichi

The small museum has information on the surrounding flora and fauna. With miniatures, small exhibits, and photographs, its an interesting place to have a wander around. For those wanting to grab a bite to eat, there are a couple of food stalls on the middle floor. The ‘Ishikari Fumiichi’ store has a few fish meals, Chinese dumplings, and beers to buy. ‘Home’ is a bakery & pizza restaurant that has delicious pastries, pizzas, and fresh juices available. And the popular ‘Gelato Lico Lico’ sells (you guessed it) gelatos. Simply order your meal from the vending machines and go to the counter. There are plenty of tables to rest, eat, and drink.



Tengu Hall

AdmissionFree
Opening Hours9:30 - 21:00
Closed-
Contact0139-42-2216
NotesMuseum & gallery
Location /
Getting There
Access via Mt. Tengu Ropeway. Top of Mt. Tengu
2-chōme-16-16 Mogami, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0023

 

天狗山

Tengu masks

Tengu which translates to ‘Heavenly Dog’ is a legendary creature found in Japanese folklore. They are considered a supernatural being or god. Originally they were though to take the form of a bird of prey with human characteristics. The earliest Tengu were pictured with beaks, but today the Tengu are depicted with unnaturally long noses. Buddhism believe the tengu were disruptive demons and harbingers of war. Their image gradually softened, however, into one of protective, if still dangerous, spirits of the mountains and forests.


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天狗山

Otaru Ski Museum

Mt. Tengu is said to be protected by this deity. Tengu Hall is is a small exhibition space that has approximately 700 varieties of Tengu masks that have been collected from all around Japan. It can be found after exiting the gondola on top of the mountain. It is a fascinating spot to see all the different types of masks. To get to Tengu hall, enter Otaru Ski Museum. This museum is interesting in itself and has some 400 items on display, relating to the history of skiing in Japan. Otaru has known to have produced many professional skiers, who have long skied the slopes of Mt. Tengu



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.


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“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.