| Admission | Free |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-511-0262 |
| Notes | Buddhist temple |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Sapporo, 2 minute walk from Hosuisusukino subway station. 6 minute walk from Susukino & Nakajima park subway station. 1-chōme-2 Minami 6 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0806 |
Nice little garden inside the walls
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Beautiful Japanese style garden
The temple of Shinzenko has over a hundred years of history, being built in 1884. It is here, the teaching of the jodo sect focuses on the “ritual recitation of the Nembutsu” (meaning the follower is opening themselves up to light and salvation). Followers believe this recitation benefits not just the speaker, but the entire world as well. There are three floors inside the temple itself and include up to one thousand burial urns. Throughout the year, the temple has special Buddhist ceremonies on their calendar. Being in the entertainment district, the temple is not a far walk from the Susukino and Nakajima Koen subway stations making it an easy place to access.
| Dates | First weekend of August (3 days) |
| Opening Hours | 18:00 - 22:00 |
| Contact | 011-518-2005 |
| Location / Getting There | In Sapporo, get off at Susukino subway station and the festival is directly in front, on the main straight. 〒064-0804 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Minami 4 Jōnishi, 4 Chome |
Shrines carried down the main street
During the summer at the start of August, the annual Susukino Festival can be seen. Starting in the late afternoon and continuing through until late evening, the festival runs for three days. The streets are closed off for parades, and for (of course) eating and drinking. On the first day of the festival you can see the Taiko drums which gets the festival underway. The second day you can enjoy local and international dance performances that move down the main street and really livens things up.
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Beer flowing and BBQ sizzling
The final day sees a fitting end to the festival with portable shrines (Mikoshi) being carried down the main street by hundreds of locals. The traditional music and the chanting is a true spectacle and is a great opportunity to get some great photos. While all this is going on, the local bars and restaurants open up stall on the side streets. It is here you can enjoy some beer and some grilled food cooked up by the local owners. It does get crowded here and along the main street, so an early start is advised!
| Dates | First weekend of August (3 days) |
| Opening Hours | 18:00 - 22:00 |
| Contact | 011-518-2005 |
| Location / Getting There | In Sapporo, get off at Susukino subway station and the festival is directly in front, on the main straight. 〒064-0804 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Minami 4 Jōnishi, 4 Chome |
Shrines carried down the main street
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Beer flowing and BBQ sizzling
The final day sees a fitting end to the festival with portable shrines (Mikoshi) being carried down the main street by hundreds of locals. The traditional music and the chanting is a true spectacle and is a great opportunity to get some great photos. While all this is going on, the local bars and restaurants open up stall on the side streets. It is here you can enjoy some beer and some grilled food cooked up by the local owners. It does get crowded here and along the main street, so an early start is advised!
| 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.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | - |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 19:00 |
| Closed | Depending on season |
| Contact | 0133-78-2000 |
| Notes | Rest stop, Free coffee, Lunch boxes available, Coastal views, Rest rooms |
| 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 |
Pull up a seat and enjoy the view
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Seafood lunch set
The small building and porch offers views over the bay, and the views of the sunsets here are particularly stunning. There are a couple of photography spots to get some photos. Inside, they have quaint seafood lunch box sets that are available to purchase. Also, there is ice cream and drinks. The best part, though, is that this rest stop offers free coffee! There are benches and tables to sit and eat and enjoy the sea breeze. Across the road is the recently built ‘Airodo Atsuta Rest Stop’ and although this newer, larger building is more frequented, the Ai Road Yuhinooka, is a great little place to check out.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0139-42-2449 |
| Notes | Photography spot |
| Location / Getting There | 6 hour drive from Sapporo or 2 hour bus ride from Hakadote. Matsujo, Matsumae-cho, Matsumae-gun, Hokkaido, Japan 049-1511 |
Peaceful
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Graveyard of the Matsumae Lords
Walking among the stone pathways and moss covered gardens is a real treat. Another feature of this area is the graveyard of the local Matsumae Lords. The trees surrounding the headstones and tombs make for a fantastic setting, with which to wander and take the quiet beauty of the graveyard. There is also a fantastic 200 year old Kechimyaku Sakura (bloodline cherry). The temples are especially beautiful during late April and early May, as the cherry blossoms (with which Matsumae is famous) are in full bloom. Make sure to bring your camera as you stroll through the historic buildings and paths.
