| Admission | ¥360 Adults / ¥290 Group ¥240 Students / ¥190 Group Children free *Groups of 10 or more |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 April 10 to December 10 |
| Closed | Winter |
| Contact | 0139-42-2216 |
| Notes | Wheelchair access April & May busy, need early reservations for hotels, weeks in advance |
| Location / Getting There | 6 hour drive from Sapporo or 2 hour bus ride from Hakadote. Matsujo, Matsumae-cho, Matsumae-gun, Hokkaido, Japan 049-1511 |
Sunset on the hill
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Great spot for photos
The castle is most popular during the months of April & May due to its vast array of stunning cherry blossom trees, during which the Matsumae Sakura festival is held. The castle is located in Matsumae Park. The park boasts 10,000 cherry blossoms of 250 different kinds of varieties. Many of these cherry blossoms descend from a 200 year old Kechimyaku Sakura (bloodline cherry) also found on the grounds. The castle is a great spot to visit, as there is a lot to see and do in the area. The seashore town of Matsumae is also steeped in history.
How to get there
Matsumae is a town located at the very bottom of Hokkaido and from Sapporo, it takes a while to get there. Having your own transport is the optimum means of getting there. To rent a car would be the cheapest and fastest way. For those who can only take public transport, train and then bus are your options.
| From Sapporo to Hakadote | Super Hokuto Limited Express Super Hokuto 12 (platform 4) 3 hours and 30 minutes | ¥8,830 |
| Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station to Kikonai Station | Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa Hayabusa 34 towards Tokyo (platform 11) 12 minutes | ¥3,250 |
| Kikonai Station to Kikonai Ekimae Bus Stop | Walk 5 minutes | - |
| Kikonai Ekimae Bus Stop to Matsushiro (Matsumae) Bus Stop | 6:20, 7:38, 9:00, 11:10, 12:10*, 14:52, 15:20, 16:50*, 17:55*, 19:15 90 minutes | ¥1370 |
| Matsushiro Bus Stop to Matsumae Castle | Walk 400 meters 5 minutes | - |
How to get back
| Matsumae Castle to Matsushiro (Matsumae) Bus Stop | Walk 400 meters 5 minutes | - |
| Matsushiro (Matsumae) Bus Stop to Kikonai Ekimae Bus Stop | 5:22*, 6:21, 7:20*, 8:44, 9:50*, 10:37, 12:34, 14:22, 15:52, 18:03 90 minutes * to Hakodate | ¥1,370 |
| Kikonai Ekimae Bus Stop to Kikonai station | Walk 5 minutes | - |
| Kikonai Station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station | Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa Hayabusa 23 towards Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto 12 minutes | ¥3,250 |
| Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station to Sapporo | Hokuto or the Super Hokuto Limited Express on the Hakodate Line. 3 hours 30 minutes | ¥8,830 |
| Admission | Free admission |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0142-82-5111 |
| Notes | Parking available Walking paths Sightseeing spot |
| Location / Getting There |
Ukimido Park is a great sightseeing spot and a good place to get some photos on the shores of Lake Toya. The park can be easily recognized by its stone sculptures and its small outcrop where the iconic shrine is located. The shrine, surrounded by the tranquil waters of Lake Toya make for a great photography opportunity, in any kind of season. The shrine is only a five minute walk from the main car park, which is located on the northern side of lake.
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The park has paths that intertwine making for a pleasant walk through the warmer months. The park, as with most of the parks around Lake Toya, has large sculptures arranged around its grounds. The small island that the shrine is on, was once part of a hill that was formed when the caldera was formed 110,000 years ago. Ruins from this period, known as the Jomon period, can be found around this small island! The large car park that sits right next to the park has plenty of spaces so parking is not a problem.
| 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 | ￥800 - Adults (15-64) ￥700 - Adults groups (10 people or more) ￥600 - College & High school students ￥500 - College groups (10 people or more) Free - seniors (over 65) and children (under 14) |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 (May - Sep) 9:00 - 16:00 (Oct - Apr) |
| Closed | Mondays* December 29th - January 3rd *if Monday is a public holiday, Tuesdays will be closed |
| Contact | 011-898-2692 http://www.kaitaku.or.jp/ |
| Notes | Free parking Bus access Located near Hokkaido Historical Museum Located near Centennial Memorial Tower |
| Location / Getting There | Take JR & Tozai Line (Subway) to Shin Sapporo station. Change bus bound for [No.22 Kaitakunomura] (15min) to last bus stop. 40 minute drive from Sapporo station. 60 minute drive from Chitose airport. Konopporo 50-1,Atsubetsu-cyo,Atsubetsu-ku |
The front entrance
The Historical Village of Hokkaido is a must see while sightseeing in the Sapporo area. Opened in 1983, it includes fifty-two historical structures from the “frontier days” of the Meiji period to the Shōwa period that have been relocated and reconstructed or recreated. Visitors can get a glimpse of what life was like during the pioneer days from the mid 19th century to the early 20th century. The Historical Village consists of 52 buildings and is divided into a town area, fishing village, farm village, and mountain village.
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One of the menu wax dioramas
The main building that serves as the entrance into the village is the old Sapporo Station building. After buying your ticket and entering the village grounds, it is like stepping back in time. As there is a lot to see, and the grounds of the villages are huge, be prepared for a lot of walking. Visiting the Historical Village is a day trip, so bring water and it’s a good idea to bring something to eat (there is only one small snack restaurant on the grounds). In the summer a horse-drawn trolley runs along the main street of the Town, and in winter a horse-drawn sleigh goes around the villages. Seasonal village festivals and events including farm work and other hands-on events are held periodically throughout the year.
To get to the Historical Village, it is a forty minute drive from Sapporo Station. Take route 12 heading to Ebetsu. Alternatively you can take a train or subway and then take the bus. Take the JR train to Sapporo Station, or you can take the subway from Odori along the ‘Tozai line’ (orange line) to Shin Sapporo station. From Shin Sapporo station, take the No.22 bus to Kaitakunomura bus stop (last stop), which is at the Historical Museum. For bus timetables, see below.
Shin Sapporo Station to
Kaitakunomura8:23
9:15
10:00
10:45
11:30
12:15
13:00
13:45
14:30
Kaitakunomura to
Shin Sapporo Station9:45
10:30
11:15
12:00
12:45
13:30
14:15
15:00
15:45
16:30
17:15
17:40
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 June to mid August |
| Closed | Winter |
| Contact | 0167-44-4488 |
| Notes | Best viewing times from July to early August Restaurant on site, Kirara Toilets on site Free parking Wi-fi Shops - lavender goods, light snacks, soft creams |
| Location / Getting There | 13 minute drive from Furano station 12 minute walk from Lavender Farm station. JR line 2-1 Miyamachi, Nakafurano, Sorachi District, Hokkaido 071-0753 |
Stunning views
There are plenty of beautiful flower viewing areas in the Nakafurano area, and the Choei Lavender Farm and the Flower Park are no exception. The Choei Lavender Farm is a hill covered in a kaleidoscope of color, as the summer flowers start to bloom, including four kinds of lavender, sunflower, marigold and salvia. The hill also serves as a playground for skiers and snowboarders during the cold winters. There is a single-chair lift ride to the top of the hill offering sweeping views of the carpet of flowers and also down over the Furano valley and the Tokachi mountain range. This hillside is also the venue of the Nakafurano Lavender Festival, the town’s biggest event in mid July. There is parking at the bottom of the fields of flowers plus small stalls selling souvenirs and delicious ice-cream for those warm sunny days.
Ski lift prices
Cost per person ￥400 adults
￥200 children
Opening Hours 9:00 - 17:00
June 23rd to August 31st
Closed -
Notes No pets allowed
Flower park
Directly adjacent to the Choei Lavender Farm, is the Nakafurano Flower Park. The park is a large grass area with walkways and a viewing platform that has nice sights over the park as well as the Choei Lavender Farm. There are some benches to rest your feet and take in the smells and sun during the summer, or just to take a stroll. The flower park has a fountain and you will also find a nice curry restaurant here. The restaurant, Kirara, serves up delicious lunches. Take your pick of vegetable, beef, or chicken curries. They also have sushi available. Perfect meal for a perfect day out!
Pricing Guide
(Avg. cost per person)￥600 - ￥1200
Opening Hours 10:00 - 16:00
Contact 0167-44-4488
Closed -
Notes Non smoking
| Admission | Free admission |
| Opening Hours | All day |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0166-94-3355 0166-92-1181 : sightseeing taxi service 'Biei Hire' |
| Notes | Parking available Rental car recommended to visit |
| Location / Getting There | It takes about 20 minutes by car from JR Biei Station. A 2 and a half hour drive from Sapporo Shirogane, Biei-cho Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-0235 |
Beautiful colors
The Blue Pond (known as Aoi-ike in Japanese) is a man-made pond that can be found in the scenic province of Biei. After the eruption of Mount Tokachi in 1988, work was carried out on the Biei river dam to prevent the destructive effect of volcanic mudflow on the town of Biei. The Blue Lake is just one of a number of ponds that were artificially born as a by-product of the dam construction. The amazing blue color of the pond comes from minerals in the water, colloidal aluminium hydroxide. This means absolutely no swimming, but you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the pond.
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Peaceful
The blue hue of the water has subtle changes depending on the weather and the season. In the winter you can get some beautiful photos of the pond in the snow. And on a nice sunny day the blue sky is reflected stunningly in the Blue Pond waters. To get to the pond you can drive, but if you don’t have your own access to transport, then there are tour buses that run during the summer. Alternatively, a rental car is a good choice as there is plenty to see while in Biei and the Furano area. For trains, the JR Furano Line connects Furano with Biei and Asahikawa. Trains run roughly once per hour, and the one way trip between Furano and Biei takes about 40 minutes, costs ￥640 and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Hokkaido Rail Pass.
Getting there from Sapporo
From Sapporo get on the Hokkaido Expressway at the Sapporo interchange (IC) and get off at Mikasa IC, then go pass Katsurazawa Dam and through Furano (about 150km).
A smooth journey here will take around 2½ hours.
Getting there from Chitose Airport
From the New Chitose Airport, use the Dōtō Expressway and get off at Shimukappu, then head north through the town of Furano.
Getting there from Chitose Airport
From the New Chitose Airport, use the Dōtō Expressway and get off at Shimukappu, then head north through the town of Furano. The distance of this route is around 160km, and will take about 3 hours.
Getting there from Asahikawa
From Asahikawa, drive south towards Furano and go through Biei to reach the Blue Pond. From Asahikawa Station, it takes around 1 hour 10 minutes (about 45km), and from Asahikawa Airport, it takes roughly 40 minutes (about 30km).