Kotan Hachiman Shrine

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Kotan Hachiman Shrine was founded in 1856 and was officially named a township shrine in 1875. It was listed as a local shrine on the 28th of April 1911. The purpose of the shrine is to follow the great principles of the deity, Hondawake no Mikoto. Hondawake no Mikoto is also more commonly known as the Emporer Ōjin. Read More ....

Otaru Canal Museum & Information Center

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Otaru City General Museum Canal Museum has an extensive collection that introduces the history of Otaru City including information on the natural environment. The exhibition includes 20,000 objects and materials in its collection. The museum is located by Otaru Canal and can be found in the 'former Otaru warehouse'. Read More ....

Tokai Lavender Fields

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On the Tokai Sapporo School campus the grounds really comes alive with lavender. It is said that the south district of Sapporo, where the campus is located, is known as the birthplace of lavender cultivation in Japan. Read More ....

Urahoro Shrine

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During the Meiji Era, as the town of Urahoro (on the south east coast of Hokkaido) was being developed, the pioneers called for the construction of a shrine to serve as a spiritual centre. On August 15, 1896, a small shrine was erected, enshrining Amaterasu (goddess of the sun and the universe). Read More ....

Onnenai Visitor Center

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The Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, also known as the Kushiro Marshland is a sprawling national park to the north of Kushiro. There are half a dozen observation decks, museums, and walking paths that surround the park. The Onnenai Visitor Center is one of these museums and can be found on the western side of the marshland. Read More ....

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park

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The Kushiro Shitsugen National park (better known as the Kushiro Marshland) is a national park, located to the north of Kushiro on the eastern side of Hokkaido. The park is known for its wetlands ecosystems. 'Shitsugen' translates to wetlands in English. It was designated as a national park on 31 July 1987. The massive park covers an area of 268.61 square kilometres on the Kushiro plain and is well known for its wildlife and vegetation. Read More ....

Kushiro Marsh Observatory

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Perched at the top of a large hill, overlooking Kushiro Marsh, you can find the Kushiro Marsh Observatory. This is one of the most interesting buildings in Hokkaido. The exterior, and especially the interior, has a strange and unique design and is reminiscent of a cool sci-fi movie. The central hall of the museum is definitely a place to get some photos. Read More ....

Obihiro Shrine

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In 1881, a man named Benzo Yoda and others from Shizuoka Prefecture organized a pioneer group called the "Bansei-sha". This group and settled inShimo-Obihiro Village and started pioneering. During this time, they started holding festivals and later built a small shrine, though the connection with the current Obihiro Shrine is still not well known. Read More ....

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Matsumae Castle

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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

Sunset on the hill

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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Great spot for photos

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.

: The extensive Matsumae Park

: Open in the evenings

: Last castle built in Japan

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	-

: Quiet atmosphere

: Grounds open during the evening

: Evening shots

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

Sapporo Gokoku Shrine

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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.

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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.

: Hand purifying

: Welcome!

: Large grounds

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

Tama Temple & Toyokawa Inari shrine

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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

Tama Temple and Toyokawa Inari shrine were founded in 1891 and are located in the Susukino district of Sapporo. The temple is made of wood and reinforced concrete and is a nice small temple to visit. With the shrine right by, and in a convenient location, its a good spot to take some photos of not only the shrine, bu the many small statues around the temple. The Toyokawa Inari shrine is believed to have been built as a guardian company of Tamaji.

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The shrine is said to have “watched Suzukino’s emotions and sorrows for years, and witnessed its prosperity”. The “gate pillar” has inscriptions of certain geisha during this time. A small garden was maintained in the precincts of the Inari shrine, and upon entering the area on the left you can see the ‘Mizuko Mourning Monument’. This shrine seems to have a sad past concerning children lost at birth. Tama Temple is one of the few remnants of the old days during the period of the shogun of Hokkaido.