Tag: Southern Hokkaido
Can Do
Opening Hours | Depends on location Generally from 9:00 - 21:00 |
Closed | - |
Contact | https://www.cando-web.co.jp/ |
Notes | Cheap shopping store, basic goods |
Getting There | There are multiple locations throughout Hokkaido. There are stores in every main city around Hokkaido |
Can Do is a large chain of stores throughout Japan. It is one of the two main ¥100 store companies in Japan. In Hokkaido they have around seventy five in all the main cities. Their goal being to become a world wide brand. You can easily recognize the store by its large orange star. Their stores are well laid out and bright with easy to find items on the shelves. With most items being at ¥100 you can find most of your daily household goods at Can Do. These stores are very popular due how cheap everything is here. Most of the stores are part of main shopping centres or around some supermarkets.
To find a Can Do closest to you, simply visit their website and check on locations. You can find the list of stores here. The items available at Can Do include Japanese traditional items (which make for a nice little souvenir to take home), kitchen goods, stationary and office supplies, bath and restroom articles, cleaning and washing items, health and beauty goods, clothing and bags, home goods, electronics, and food. Anything that you are looking for really.
Matsumae Park
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 |
Mastumae Park is huge expanse of land that has a lot to see in it! The park itself is arguably most famous for its cherry blossoms that are in full bloom from late April to late May. The cherry blossom forest has 10,000 cherry trees consisting of 250 kinds of different cherry blossoms. It is the biggest collection of cherry blossoms in Hokkaido! Not only does the park hold these beautiful trees, but also there are many historical buildings to walk around. There is Matsumae Castle, Ryuun-in, the Matsumae Kashiwa Mansion, the Matsumae Lord Cemetery, plus around a dozen shrines and temples.
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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.
Ryūun-in
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 |
In Matsumae Park, you can really get a taste of the history of Japan. Not only can you experience Matsumae Castle, but across from the castle grounds lies the Matsumae temple district. Ryūun-in is a temple here, with five of its buildings recognized as Important Cultural Properties. Its a peaceful and quiet place that offers real Japanese beauty and serenity. Many of the temples of various Buddhist sects here, predate the construction of Matsumae Castle giving this area real cultural significance, being some of the oldest Japanese structures in Hokkaido.
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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.
Matsumae Castle
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 |
Matsumae Castle is the northernmost castle in Japan, and the only traditional style Edo period castle in Hokkaido. The castle was built on a hillside vantage point in 1606 by the first lord of the Matsumae family, Keisuke Matsumae. At that time during the Edo period, it was on the boundary of the Hokkaido wilderness. The castle was later outfitted with canons to counter the threat of foreign ships. Over the centuries, has been reconstructed and rebuilt, with its final reconstruction in 1961. In 1941 it was designated as a national treasure.
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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 |