| Dates | Early May to early June |
| Opening Hours | 7:00 am to 6:00 pm (no illumination) |
| Entry fee | ¥500 Adults ¥250 Children |
| Contact | 0158-29-2730 http://takinoue.com/ |
| Notes | Parking available Best viewing time - Mid may Helicopter tour available |
| Location / Getting There | 3 and a half hour drive from Sapporo. 2 hour drive from Asahikawa Takinoue Park, Motomachi, Takinoue, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido 099-5604 |
Moss pink
From the start of May to the start of June, the small town of Takinoue displays its most famous sightseeing spot, the Takinoue Park Shibazakura. Shibazakura, also known as ‘moss pink’, or ‘creeping phlox’ is an evergreen mat that blooms five-petaled flowers in rose, mauve, blue, white, or pink during the spring. This festival began in 1956 and Takinoue, at 100,000 square meters, is literally covered from top to bottom with millions of these beautiful flowers, making the park an extraordinary place to visit in the spring! The best time to visit being in mid May.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Phlox House
There are many paths in which to wander around the hillside and get some photos. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, then why not view the whole park from the air? At ¥5000 per adult, you can take a six minute helicopter ride that will take you over Takinoue Park. The flowers and festival lasts for a month in which there are stage events and stalls. Also located at the park is the ‘Phlox House’ where you can buy some souvenirs, have a coffee, take a rest, or try a ‘Shibazakura ice cream’. Restrooms are also located here.
Takinoue is a small town, which means there is no train station unfortunately. For those without their own transport, to get to Takinoue it is advised to rent a car from Sapporo or take the train to Asahikawa and rent a car from there. For car rentals in Asahikawa, you can check the Asahikawa rental site by clicking here . It will take some time to drive there and it is recommended to stay at least one day in Takinoue, as there are other things to see!
| Admission Gardens + Farm | ¥1200 Over 16 years old ¥600 Children* ¥1000 Seniors over 60 ¥2400 Annual ticket *up to 5 children can enter free with 1 adult |
| Opening Hours | 9:30 - 17:00 April - September 9:00 - 16:00 October |
| Closed | November - March |
| Contact | 0123-34-7800 http://www.ecorinvillage.com/ |
| Notes | Farm tour Sheep feeding Sheepdog show Sheep race Souvenir shop |
| Location / Getting There | 40 minute drive from Sapporo station 20 minute drive from New Chitose Airport 〒061-1421 Hokkaido, Eniwa, Makiba, 277−4 |
Great place for kids
Animal Farm, also known as ‘Midori no Makiba’ is located on the huge grounds of Ecorin Village. It is one of the three main attractions at Ecorin Village. The other two being the beautiful Galaxy Gardens , and the Tomato Forest. The name, Ecorin Village, comes from the word “eco” (the connection with the environment of plants and animals) and “rin” (the circle of a small community). The three attractions are all located near each other and you can get around to see all in one day. There are also two delicious restaurants on the grounds, or you can pack your own lunch and have a picnic!
[the_ad id=”4264″]
One of the local residents.
Upon entering the farm gate, you will find a wool souvenir shop on the right. It is here, that they have a wool workshop where you can piece together your own creations. The wool comes from the farms main attraction, that being the numerous sheep that take residence here. Throughout the day, they have various events on. One being the sheepdog show, where you can see the sheep being rounded up in front of you. The other event being the popular sheep racing.
A tour of the farm
Other animals that can be seen are goats, shetland ponies, horses, alpacas, and a Scotland yak! The public are free to wander around the enclosures and see these wooly creatures. Though if you’re tired of walking, then there is a free farm tour available. Tractor drawn carriages that sit up to forty-eight people, will tour through the extensive farm. The guided tour is in Japanese only, but you can get a good look at the farm and a behind the scenes look. At the half way point, and at the far end of the farm, the carriages stop and the passengers are invited to come out and feed the hungry sheep. Good spot for some photos and some fun for the kids.
| Sheepdog Show | 11:00 13:00 15:00 |
| Sheep Race | 11:20 13:20 15:20 |
| Farm Tour | 10:15 11:45 12:30 13:45 14:30 15:45 |
For public transport to get to Ecorin Village, there is a free shuttle bus service from Eniwa Station (JR line) which departs from the west entrance. Travel time is fifteen minutes to Ecorin Village.
| Admission Gardens + Farm | ¥1200 Over 16 years old ¥600 Children* ¥1000 Seniors over 60 ¥2400 Annual ticket *up to 5 children can enter free with 1 adult |
| Opening Hours | 9:30 - 17:00 April - September 9:00 - 16:00 October |
| Closed | November - March |
| Contact | 0123-34-7800 http://www.ecorinvillage.com/ |
| Notes | Restaurant on grounds Farm next to gardens Parking available Playground for kids |
| Location / Getting There | 40 minute drive from Sapporo station 20 minute drive from New Chitose Airport 〒061-1421 Hokkaido, Eniwa, Makiba, 277−4 |
Purple & gold garden
If you have the time, Ecorin Village is a must see, for tourists and locals alike! Especially if you enjoy gardening, the outdoors, or architecture. Ecorin Village is divided into three main areas; The Galaxy Gardens, Midori Farm, and the Tomato Forest area. With the experience of international and Japanese world renown garden architects, the landscaping and design of the Galaxy Gardens is absolutely flawless. The attention to detail as you wander around is truly amazing. There are thirty different gardens to explore while at Galaxy Gardens!
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Bear garden
Among the thirty gardens to view, are the award winning ‘Dragon Garden’ and ‘Riverside Gardens’. There are ponds, picnic areas, beautiful cottages that you can enter and enjoy, an underground tunnel & cave, a hobbit home, a maze to wander in, streams, paths, a playground for the kids, grass areas on which to stretch out, and tables and chairs to rest and admire the scenery. Each garden has it’s own unique feel and design. Sculptures are dotted around the park and add to the experience. Ecorin Village is about the appreciation of the environment, and you can find many of the flowers and garden ornaments from the Galaxy Gardens in the garden centre (located at the Tomato Forest).
Rice planting
Also located in the Galaxy Gardens, are rice fields that are open to the public. There is a rice planting activity which is fun for the whole family. Dress up in traditional Japanese farmer clothing, and you can plant rice in one of the many fields. Great time to get some photos! There is information about the rice fields (in Japanese) and planting techniques. After trying out the rice planting, or even just wandering around the gardens, there is a fantastic restaurant on the grounds. Here you can enjoy a buffet style lunch, or hamburg patty set!
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0123-34-7800 |
| Notes | World's largest tomato plant Garden & flower store Local market Restaurant on site Free parking |
| Location / Getting There | 15 minute bus ride from Eniwa Station Hokkaido, Eniwa, Makiba, 281−1 061-1421 |
Plenty of produce
The Tomato Forest (or Tomato no Mori) is a HUGE tomato plant, that is so big, it was certified on November 13th, 2013 as the “World’s Largest Tomato Plant”. Impressive! Found in the town of Eniwa, this plant is an ordinary variety of tomato plant and is grown from one grain, which is gown through hydroponics. This feet of botanical accomplishment has seen the tomato plant reach dimensions of around 40 square meters, and produces up to 17,000 tomatoes annually! You can buy the tomatoes from the Garden Center Flower Ranch next door.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Entrance to store, and the tomato forest
If you’re a gardener, or if you looking like to buy fresh, local produce, then the Garden Center Flower Ranch is a great spot! You can find a huge selection of ornaments for the garden and home, furniture, herbs, and a selection of indoor and outdoor plants. During the year, this store has seminars led by herbalists and gardeners to offer advice and information! They also have a wide variety of flowers to choose from. Eniwa is surrounded by many farmlands that produce fruit and vegetables. The Garden Center has a small market of local fruits and vegetables, (especially tomatoes!). These fresh foods are great not only for kitchen, but also as souvenirs! While looking around and shopping you can also stop in at the ‘Camel’ Italian restaurant for some lunch.
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 18:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0123-35-2321 |
| Notes | Garden store Market |
| Location / Getting There | 15 minute bus ride from Eniwa Station Hokkaido, Eniwa, Makiba, 281−1 061-1421 |
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | +81-166-52-1934 |
| Notes | Hiking trails near by Free parking (180 cars) Picnic area Scenic views |
| Location / Getting There | 10 minute walk from Asahiyama parking lot & Asahiyama zoo 〒 078 - 8205 Hokkaido, Asahikawa-shi Higashi Asahikawa Machigakuma |
Walk around at your leisure
Inari Konpira Shrine is located near the top of Asahiyama park and is a beautiful spot to walk around and take in the scenery, especially during the spring as it is surrounded by hundreds of stunning cherry blossom trees. With the cherry blossom petals slowly cascading down in a nice warm breeze, in front of this quiet shrine, never will you find a more peaceful spot. Away from any major roads, you can take in the old stone and wood of this serene shrine. A great spot to get some photos!
[the_ad id=”4264″]
View from the shrine
In the Asahiyama park area, you can also find the famous Asahiyama zoo, and plenty of small stalls, facilities, and free parking. In the spring, cherry blossoms and dogtooth violet blossoms can be seen, summer brings in the hiking, in the fall, the beautiful autumn foliage can be enjoyed, and in a winter, there are plenty of winter activities to enjoy the snow. To get to Inari Konpira Shrine, from the parking lot out the front of Asahiyama zoo, walk up the road through the park. Continue past the Asahiyama Ryubokutaishido Hall (a small shrine) on your right, and you will see Inari Konpira Shrine 200 metres further along.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-511-5917 |
| Notes | Buddhist temple |
| Location / Getting There | 5 minute walk from Nakajima station Hokkaido, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Minami 7 Jōnishi, 4 Chome−1−1 |
Immersed in history
Sapporo Gokoku Shrine is located in Sapporo, next to Nakajima Park on the southern side. The shrine was founded in 1888. It was built in honor and to comfort the spirits of the Tsunada soldiers who fought during the Meiji period. The shrine grounds are large and there is plenty of space to wander around and take photos. It is very quiet on weekdays, and is a pleasant walk from Nakajima park. The shrine is beautiful in all seasons, especially in autumn and spring with the cherry blossoms and the autumn leaves in the expansive gardens around the shrine.
[the_ad id=”4264″]
Gokoku shrine during spring
Behind the shrine, there are some beautiful old graves where you are free to wander round. There is a water basin, where you can purify your hands. The shrine has amulets they sell, and also offer blessings for things such as health, travel, business, and for good luck. Weddings, as well, as funerals are held here. For more information on booking the shrine, please contact them on their contact number (Japanese is required). Throughout the year, Sapporo Gokoku Shrine has numerous events. The public are welcome to come to the shrine and enjoy these events. For more information, check the table below.
| January 1st | New Year Day's festival from 7:00. From 10:00 prayers and blessings for cars are offered. Call for reservation |
| Febrauary 3rd | Setsubun Festival (bean throwing at spirits) from 15:00 |
| June first Saturday | Shinkuen Festival from 10:00 - 15:00 |
| July 5th | Concert Festival from 18:00. For members. |
| July 6th & 7th | Great Festival |
| August 7th & 8th | Taga Shrine Festival |
| October 15th | Shicho-go-san Festival |
| December 31st | Night Festival |
