| 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.
| Height | 907m / 2962ft |
| Length | 12km round trip |
| Hiking Time | Winter - 4 hours to summit Summer - 3 hours to summit |
| Notes | Cabin available (booking required 011-571-5111) Overnight stay ￥800 per person |
| Location / Getting There | Take the National Road 5 国道５号線, 30 minute drive from Sapporo. 30 minute walk to trail head from Zenibako station. Jozankei, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2301 |
Cool sights along the path
This relatively easy hike is a popular trail, especially for locals. For those not heading to the top, there are places along the way to forage for wild mushrooms. To get to the trail head, take the National Road 5 国道５号線, turn left (coming from Sapporo), turn right (coming from Otaru) at the intersection between a 7-11 and a Ralse Supermarket. Follow this road through a residential area up to the trail head. Alternatively, it is a thirty minute walk from Zenibako JR station. You can make this a great day trip, or stay overnight at a cabin which can be found three quarters of the way up.
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Ginjinso cabin
The cabin that can be found is a two story structure and is well kept. It was built in 1960, and since 1974 it is operated as a welfare facility of Tokai University. Be warned, you will need to reserve the cabin in advance if you wish to stay the night! The custodian who stays there runs a tight ship, but the facilities there are great. There is a toilet and cooking facilities here, bunk beds and a warm stove can be found here also. The start of the hike is on a gradual incline making for a pleasant walk. After the cabin, the trail gets quite steep and is a thirty minute trek to the top.
| General Admission | Ropeway ￥1600 - Adults ￥800 - Children |
| Opening Hours | 8:30 - 17:00 (During winter, the ropeway stops 1 hour earlier) |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0142-75-2401 |
| Notes | 400 car parking spots : ￥500 40 bus parking spots : ￥2000 40 minutes to Usu Observation deck Restaurants and shops at bottom of ropeway |
| Location / Getting There | From JR Toyako station, take the Donan Bus bound for Toyako Onsen. (15 min.) Get off at the Toyako Onsen Bus Terminal. Change buses to Showa Shinzan and get off at last stop (15 min.) *No bus service to Showa Shinzan in winter. 2 and a half hour drive from Sapporo city. 184-5 Aza Showa Shinzan, Sobetsu-cho, Usu-gun, Hokkaido, Japan 052-0102 |
The ropeway up overlooking Shōwa-Shinzan
Mount Usu is an active stratovolcano in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Since 1900, it has erupted a total of four times. In 1910, in 1944 which created Shōwa-Shinzan, in 1977, and as recent as March, 2000. Mt. Usu is formed on the southern rim of the caldera which contains Lake Toya. Mount Usu and Shōwa-Shinzan are major tourist attractions in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. The best way to see the Shōwa-Shinzan peak and Mt. Usu is to take the cable car to the top. From here, it is a 10 minute walk to the viewing platform offering views looking down over Lake Toya, Shōwa-Shinzan, and the towns of Date and Toyako.
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Path along the basin crater
The car park to get to the ropeway is just off Lake Toya. From here you can take the ropeway up. It takes about thirty minutes to get to the Observation Deck via the ropeway and after a short walk. If you want to explore further, there is a path that leads further down into, and around, the Usu Crater Basin. It is a nice hike along the path, though it will take an extra hour heading down and back. It is a long flight of stairs down to the path along the craters edge, so bring some water! The path around has some stunning views along the coast. Inside and outside the crater you can see the volcanic steam vents coming through the surface.
Volcano Village
After taking in some spectacular views, you can make your way back to the ropeway and head down to the “Volcano Village” next to the car park, which lies at the bottom of Mt. Usu and Shōwa-Shinzan. Here you can find a half dozen restaurants, toilet facilities, souvenir shops, and information centers, and a museum. The Information center has information on what to explore in the area. There is also an eruption experience room using sounds and images. There is also a theater with a film on the history of Mt. Usu. The gallery, here too, has panels with images on the area.
Restaurant Funka-tei 9:00 - 15:00 Soba noodle and curry restaurant 
Volcano Ramen 10:00 - 15:00 Ramen noodle shop
Village Store
Shopping9:00 - 18:00 Summer
9:00 - 16:00 WinterSouvenir Shops
Hinokuniya
Honpo Shopping9:00 - 19:00 Summer
9:00 - 16:00 WinterSouvenir Shops 
| 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 |
| Opening Hours | 8:30 - 17:00 |
| Closed | Tuesdays *Open every day in July & August |
| Contact | 0166-94-3354 http://www.kaikukiln.com/ |
| Notes | Free parking No photos allowed inside Ceramics for sale |
| Location / Getting There | 20 minutes by car from JR Biei Station. 20 minutes by Dohoku Bus from in front of Biei Station. Shirogane, Biei-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido |
One of the many sculptures
Kaiku Kiln Museum is a large, quiet homestead that is home to a gallery, kiln room, workshop, and house. The Kaiku Kiln property is located between the Blue Pond, which is a five minute drive away, and the ‘Biei Shirokanebiruke’ road station. The Blue Pond and road station can get quite crowded during the summer, so the gallery is a nice place to take a pleasant stroll and look at the sculptures, and get away from the crowds. The grounds are covered in various sculptures created from wood, clay, and metal, and there is a small rock path that crosses through the trees.
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One of the buildings
The gallery itself is located on the left of the entrance. The sculptures displayed at the gallery, are by local prominent artists. The gallery also serves as a shop where you can buy some fantastic ceramic dishes and serveware. These works are not cheap but they are high quality. Photos of the works in the gallery are not allowed, though photos outside are permitted. There is free parking available for those with transport. To getting to the gallery is a twenty minute drive from Biei station. There is also the Dohoku bus that stops in front of the station.
