| Opening Hours | 9:30 - 18:00 |
| Closed | – |
| Contact | 0134-31-6566 http://www.tanzawa-net.co.jp/shop/02.html |
| Notes | Glass goods, sightseeing spot, souvenir store, coffee store, historical site, wheelchair access |
| Location / Getting There | Located in Otaru on Sakaimachi street. The street is down near the harbor. It is a 18 minute walk down from Otaru station. From Sapporo station, take the JR line to Otaru. 1-25 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027 |
Otaru Romankan is a fantastic place to visit. It is a souvenir and glass store and is a popular building for tourists and locals alike. The building itself is a point of interest and has its own history. Originally, the building was a bank that was constructed far back in the Meiji period in 1908. Walking around the store, the floorboards creak and there is a great atmosphere created with ambient lighting. The store is full of crafted accessories and glass trinkets. A good spot to pick up a gift for friends or for yourself.
The store also sells Christmas themed accessories all year round. Otaru Romankan is located along the famous Sakaimachi Street which is near Otaru Canal. This store serves not only as a shopping spot but also as a historical site. Once inside, you can not only enjoy the antique furniture and wares, but you can also find a small coffee shop, Cafe Deco. What a great spot to enjoy a coffee, in beautiful warm surroundings. And it’s even better, especially during the winter months! So, while in Otaru, drop in for some shopping and a lot of history at Otaru Romankan.
| 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!
| Opening Hours | All day |
| Contact | 011-598-2012 |
| Notes | Autumn leaves viewing spot, parking nearby for 20, photography spot |
| Location / Getting There | This bridge is in Jozankei. It's a 15 minute walk or a 3 minute drive from central Jozankei. From Sapporo it's a 45 minute drive. Take route 230 and it's a right hand turn off from this road. 1 Chome-61 Jozankeionsenhigashi, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2302 |
The town of Jozankei is up in the mountains outside of Sapporo. There are numerous rivers that run through and by it. This landscape makes for some really beautiful scenic spots. The Nishiki Bridge and Maizuru no Toro water pool is one of these locations. The bridge is quite small but it crosses a small gorge that offers a nice view that overlooks Toyohira river. The view is especially stunning during the Autumn. The trees overhang the river and the autumn leaves are reflected in the water creating a kaleidoscope of color. Even during the winter, it is a stunning view.
To get to the bridge you will need a car if coming from Sapporo. There is nowhere to stop and park on the bridge but there is a small parking area just past it. The drive into Jozankei takes about forty five minutes. For those who are staying in the town of Jozankei, it is about a twenty minute walk from the very centre of town. This makes for a nice peaceful stroll where you can take in the views of the mountains and rivers. The river pool, which is part of the river here, is a popular spot for people to canoe along and on occasion you can see people enjoying the water.
| Opening Hours | 11:30 - 3:00 |
| Closed | – |
| Contact | info@ganso-yokocho.com http://www.ganso-yokocho.com/ |
| Notes | Alley of 17 ramen restaurants, no parking |
| Location / Getting There | Located in Sapporo in Susukino district. This small street is just a 2 minute walk from Susukino subway station 3 Chome Minami 5 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0805 |
Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho, better known as ‘Ramen Alley’ is a famous street that is often busy with hungry tourists and nationals alike. This small alley is well known for its long history and is also a popular sightseeing spot. It is the birthplace of ‘Miso Ramen’ and is also the first to put ‘Sapporo Ramen’ on the map and make it a nationwide name. Ramen Alley began way back in 1948 with the opening of eight ramen houses. There are now currently 17 different ramen restaurants that line the alley. These ramen stores are often busy with people lining up to get in.
Each store has its own opening and closing times, usually from midday until late at night. The alley itself is open from lunch until the early hours in the morning. You will find the alley can get quite busy around midnight due to many patrons getting hungry after a night out drinking in Susukino. Every restaurant has its own unique style and distinct flavor. Many of the shops have an English menu to cater for the tourists. Ordering is easy and the staff are friendly. If you are in Sapporo, and looking for a good meal while experiencing a little history, look no further than Ramen Alley.
| Admission | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0134-27-1133 |
| Notes | Shopping street, sightseeing spot, historical landmarks, photography spot |
| Location / Getting There | Located in Otaru. The street is down near the harbor. It is a 18 minute walk down from Otaru station. From Sapporo station, take the JR line to Otaru. Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027 |
Otaru is a beautiful harbor town. It is one of those places that has managed to preserve a lot of its history. You can find many old buildings where you can take a stroll back in time here. Sakaimachi street is a hugely popular tourist spot for those who are visiting Otaru. It is here you can find souvenir shops, museums, restaurants, historical buildings, and landmarks. Many of these restaurants and stores are in these historical buildings, many being converted from old warehouses. So, not only can you do some shopping and dining, but you can also get some great photos while on your travels.
Many of the shops along this road sell goods that are connected with Otaru and its history. Being a seaside town, there are plenty of sushi restaurants and crab stores. Glass blowing can also be found in Otaru, so there are many glass and ornamental boutiques. To get to Sakaimachi street from Otaru train station, it is a short walk. After exiting the station it is a ten minute walk straight down heading towards the harbor. One block before reaching Otaru canal, turn right and you will reach the street. For those driving, there are a few paid parking areas around the area.
| Admission | Free ¥500 parking |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Closed | Beginning of July to the end of July |
| Contact | 011-622-5167 |
| Notes | Photography spot, sightseeing spot, parking available, taxi ride to site needed or own transport |
| Location / Getting There | Located in the western hills overlooking Sapporo. It is a 15 minute drive from Maruyama subway station past the zoo. Hiring a taxi is an alternative option, there is a taxi stand at the gardens. 471-110 Bankei, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0945 |
To see beautiful fields of lavender with stunning views, you don’t need to travel all the way to Furano. Sapporo has a secret spot where you can enjoy these beautiful lavender fields, and its right on the edge of town! If you only have a couple of days in Sapporo you can simply take a quick subway ride and then take a taxi to the Horomitoge Lavender Gardens. The gardens were created in 1987. Originally, there were only 120 lavender plants. This number has now grown to an impressive 5,000. It is a great place to wander around and get some stunning photos.
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Not only do the Horomitoge Lavender Gardens have beautiful flowers, but from the top of the hills here, you can get some sweeping views over the city of Sapporo. On the crest of the hill there is a large tree which is the centre piece of the gardens and creates a beautiful photography spot, so make sure you bring your camera! For ¥500 you can cut and take some lavender home. Why not take some of fragrance home or give it as a gift. There are also some lavender products and postcards to buy from a small store located in the gardens. And it being summer, there is a an ice cream shop set up.
