| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Closed | - |
| Notes | Beach, camping area, paid parking, BBQ spot, swimming spot, small bars in the summer |
| Location / Getting There | Otaru dream beach is about a 40 minute drive north west from Sapporo. A car is preferable. For those taking public transport, you need to take a train (Hakodate Line) to Otaru and get off at Hoshioki station. From there it is a 50 minute walk so a taxi would be better. Alternatively, the bus near Hoshioki station is No.81, and that is 5 stops, and from then it is a 30 minute walk to the beach. 3, 70 Zenibako, Otaru, Hokkaido, 047-0261 Japan |
There are two main beaches that the locals of Sapporo go to during the summer. One being Aso Beach Ishikari and the other is Otaru Dream Beach. Ishikari Beach is a quieter and more relaxing place to spend a summer day, where as Otaru Dream beach is a busier spot with more of a party atmosphere. This is mainly due to the fact there are more beach bars that line the sand. These bars serve as small places that serve food and BBQ supplies plus offering tables for beach goers to cook their own food. They also serve alcohol for those to enjoy.
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The ‘beach bars’ are slightly run down and serve only as temporary bars and eateries for a couple of months. They are open until the evening and sometimes kick on until late at night. There is also the occasional beach party event. There is no real accommodation around this long beach but there is a camping ground on the beach. This costs around ¥1000 but if you come late, then you can avoid this. Also parking for cars is about ¥500 for the day. There are signs and collectors near the entrance. This beach is mainly for a younger crowd who enjoy the BBQs and although it is not a particularly clean beach, it is a fun beach. If you are looking for something quieter, Then Ishikari Beach is a better option.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0133-62-4611 |
| Notes | Beach, swimming spot, jogging spot, sunset views, paid parking available, car needed |
| Location / Getting There | The beach is located to the west of Sapporo. It is a 55 minute drive from central Sapporo 〒040-0034 Hokkaido, Hakodate, Omoricho, 22, Unnamed Road |
There are two main beaches that Sapporo locals head to for a summer suntan, swim or BBQ. One being near Otaru called Zenibako Beach, and the other being Aso Beach at Ishikari. Whereas Zenibako has more of a party vibe to it with the small shacks selling booze with tables and BBQ spots, Aso Beach is a lot more serene with less people. The surf itself is very calm and quiet and not very deep. It is best to bring some form of shade as there are no trees around and the beach can get quite hot in the summer.
The beach is open to camping and it must be said, that the sunsets here are absolutely beautiful. There are stores or camping supplies so make sure to bring all you own gear. There are paid parking spots that cost about ¥500 for the day and not a far walk from the beach. Other places of note include Hamanasu No Oka Park, and the Ishikari lighthouse. For bird watchers too, this area is bustling with wildlife. There is also an Onsen hotel nearby. Aso Beach is a tranquil beach and offers view of the whole of Ishikari Bay.
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours 7:00 - 21:00 parking |
| Contact | 011-581-3811 |
| Notes | Walking paths, restrooms, free parking, picnic spot, fishing spot, playground, stage for events, popular in summer |
| Location / Getting There | 35 minute drive south from Sapporo. Located along Toyohira River. Take Ishiyama Dori, route 230 and turn right at the Co-op supermarket. 5 Chome-13 Fujino 1 Jo, Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 061-2281 |
Along Toyohira River, there are lots of parks and green spaces to enjoy the river as well as the local area. Jugoshima Park is just one of these parks. It can be found between Sapporo and the onsen district of Jozankei. The park is a huge space of two square kilometres. This tranquil space includes a large grass area, walking trails and the river itself. The great thing about this park is that there are places to have a BBQ along the riverside. There is no better way to enjoy a summers day.
The park is not only popular during the summer months, but during the spring you can see cherry blossoms here! And during the autumn, the leaves turn to beautiful shades of red and gold and this a great spot to get some stunning photos. There are walking paths to wander and enjoy the scenery. The park has covered rest areas as well to stop and take a break. For those with kids, the park has a playground as well as the river which is the perfect size to explore the rick pools and streams. With plenty of parking, Jugoshima Park is a nice spot to check out!
| Admission | Free |
| Dates | Mid August around the 13th - 15th 3 days |
| Contact | - |
| Starting times | All day |
| Location / Getting There | Various locations throughout every city. |
Obon is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of ancestors. It has been celebrated in Japan for over 500 years and is known as a time for family. It is a time of family reunion, where the graves of ancestors are visited and cleaned. It also includes a celebration involving a Bon dance (Bon Odori). This festive dance was originally a folk dance to welcome the spirits of the dead. The dance takes place around a high wooden scaffold called a ‘yagura’. Musicians, playing a Japanese drum (taiko), and singers sit at the top of this yagura to perform for the line of dancers below.
These small festivals are held throughout each city in various places and districts. If you are in Sapporo, the main Bon Festival is held in Odori Park. Plus, there is another in front of the Park Hotel. At these Bon dances, there are stalls selling food and drink and this goes all day. In the evening the lanterns come to life and the music starts. Anybody is welcome to join the line dance that circles the yagura. This is a great way to get involved with centuries of Japanese culture and make for a great spot to get some video or photos.
| Pricing Guide (Avg. cost per person) | ¥2500 - ¥5000 per 2 hours |
| Opening Hours | 16:00 - 23:30 (Last order 23:00) |
| Open | June 27 - August 31 |
| Contact | *011-272-0055 for reservation https://resort.beer/ *011-200-0056 after 14:00 |
| Notes | Outside beer garden, reservations needed, non smoking (special smoking area including e cigarettes), wheelchair access |
| Location / Getting There | Central Sapporo. Located on the roof of Pivot department store. 5 minute walk from Odori subway station 〒060-0062 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Chuo Ward, Minami 2 Jonishi, 4 Chome, PIVOT Rooftop terrace |
The Resort Rooftop is beer garden that is open only during the summer. It is arguably one of the best ways to enjoy one of the many beer gardens spotted around the city during the warmer months. It is a great spot for groups especially as it is spacious, and in the open air it is a relaxing spot to enjoy a beer and some food. Unlike other beer gardens, reservations are needed. Without a reservation, you cannot enter the garden. And unlike other beer gardens, there is an ‘all you can drink’ only. For a set rate of two hours, you can drink as much as you want.
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The beer garden up on the roof of the eleventh floor is divided into different sections. There is table seating under a tent which has heating. For an extra ¥500 there is a comfortable sofa area (which is recommended), and for an extra ¥1000 you can reserve the VIP area which has sofa seats, a heater, and is under cover. There is also a drinking booth where there are three kinds of beers, cocktails and soft drinks. In terms of food, you can order a mixed BBQ, a a Ghengis Khan course, or a Samgyeopsal course with grilled meat. The food you cook yourself over an open BBQ at your table. Of course, if you just want to drink, then just order the flat all you can drink course!
| 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.
