| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-582-0050 |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, seal watching, walking trails, parking available, photography spot |
| Location / Getting There | From Sapporo the cape is about a 4 hour drive down the south coast. There is also a return express bus from Sapporo station. JR Hokkaido Bus (High Speed) to Erimo, (reservation required until the day before departure). *JR Sapporo Station 16:30 departure-Erimo 20:30 arrival *Erimo 5:30 departure-JR Sapporo Station 9:30 arrival Erimomisaki, Erimo, Horoizumi District, Hokkaido 058-0342 |
Cape Erimo is located on the south eastern point of Hokkaido. It is a fantastic place to visit and is famous for the ocean winds. Cape Erimo is one of the strongest wind regions in Japan. There are more than 260 days a year of winds blowing at speeds of 10 meters per second or more. With the waves crashing below and the scattered rocks trailing off to the horizon makes for a great sightseeing spot, and an equally good photography spot. For wildlife lovers, there is a seal colony which can be observed through a telescope and an abundance of sea birds circling the cliffs.
There is a walking trail down to the bottom of the cliffs. Here you can see Erimo Shrine which was built in 1814 to enshrine the god of food and safety. Also, down by the shrine you can observe the fisherman who collect seaweed from the beautiful, deep blue waters. It is possible to take a tour on one of the boats. Other points of interest include the Cape Erimo Lighthouse plus the observation deck and wind museum. Near the large parking area, you can find a souvenir store and a seafood restaurant. This is a fantastic place to wander the paths and enjoy the mist and sea air.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Contact | 011-681-3940 |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, parking available, walking spot, jogging spot, park golf, baseball ground & football ground available to rent, picnic area, cherry blossoms, photography spot |
| Location / Getting There | Get off at 'Kita 24jo Station' on the Namboku Subway Line. At Kita 24jo Bus Terminal No. 1, take the Chuo Bus Kita 72 bound for Maeda Forest Park and get off at Maeda Forest Park Entrance. For those driving, it is 30 minute drive north from Sapporo Station. Take route 125 and head north. 591-4 Teinemaeda, Teine Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 006-0829 |
Maeda Forest Park began construction in 1982 and was finally completed ten years later. This park has beautiful landscaping and paths to access, plus half the park is made of forest area. The main feature of the park is the long shallow canal that runs in line with a view of Mt. Teine on the horizon. The canal is 600 metres in length and 15 metres wide, and is lined with 240 Poplar trees. The views from the observation lounge are really amazing so be sure to bring your camera. The design of this area in particular has a very European ambience and photos could easily be mistaken as a foreign postcard from distant lands.
The canal is the perfect backdrop to go running, jogging, or even for a stroll. You can enjoy the four seasons. The summer activities, the cherry blossoms in spring, and the beautiful changing leaves in the autumn. The park has numerous paths and spaces that can be used recreationally. The soccer field, baseball ground can be hired out (contact through the website), plus there is a park golf course as well. During the warmer seasons there are numerous flowers and fauna that can be observed, including lilacs and wisteria. You can make a day of it as well by making use of the BBQ area. In the winter, there is a large hill for sledding and snowboarding. Maeda Forest Park is one of the best parks to visit in Sapporo!
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Contact | 011-1251-0438 https://odori-park.jp/ |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, paid parking underground, festivals throughout the year (see below), toilets at park |
| Location / Getting There | Odori Park runs horizontally right through the middle of Sapporo. It is a 10 minute walk from Sapporo Station. It is also directly above Odori Subway station. The park can be easily accessed from 3 subway stations along the Tozai Line (subway orange line). 7 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042 |
Odori Park is the most famous park in Sapporo, if not Hokkaido. It runs through the heart of Sapporo and is home to the some of the biggest festivals throughout the year. The park runs for twelve blocks and separates the city into north and south. At the eastern most end you can find the iconic TV Tower which has great views overlooking the park. The park was originally constructed as a large street, which also served as a firebreak in 1871. In 1872, the street was named ‘Shiribeshi Dōri’ but this name was not popular so it was renamed ‘Odōri’ in June 1881. Odori meaning ‘large street’ in English. The park itself didn’t become a park until 1909.
Annual Events at Odori Park
| February (2nd week) | Sapporo Snow Festival |
| May (middle of the month) | Lilac Festival. |
| June (2nd week) | Yosakoi Soran Festival |
| July (from mid July) | Sapporo Beer Garden Jazz Festival |
| August (to mid August) | Sapporo Beer Garden |
| September | Sapporo Autumn Festival |
| November (end of month) | Sapporo White Illumination |
The park is hugely popular especially during the warmer months. There are benches that line the park, and the grass areas throughout the park are a great spot to sit and have lunch, or a drink, and relax. There are numerous fountains to admire and to dip your feet in the hotter months. Swings, slides, a stage for performances, and beautiful flower gardens can be found throughout the park. On the western most block are the rose gardens and the Sapporo City Museum. Big events are held at Odori Park. The biggest being the Summer Beer Garden and the Snow Festival are at this park.
| 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!
Clock Tower
| Admission | Adults ¥200 |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 to 17:00 Daily |
| Closed | January 1st to January 3rd |
| Contact | 011-231-0838 |
| Notes | - |
| Location / Getting There | Japan, 〒060-0001 Hokkaidō, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Kita 1 Jōnishi, 2 Chome 札幌市時計台 |
Located in the center of Sapporo just by Odori park, the clock tower was constructed in 1878. Sapporo was developed in the late 1860’s which makes the clock tower the oldest remaining structure in the city. The idea for the tower came from Dr. John Clark who was the vice principal of the Sapporo School of Agriculture at that time. The tower is American designed and served originally as a drill hall for students to do their physical education and military training. It also served as a hall for ceremonies.
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The clock tower now serves as a museum housing exhibits, photos and information on the history of agriculture in Sapporo and the development of Sapporo. Although dwarfed by the some of the surrounding modern buildings, the clock tower serves as one of Sapporo’s most famous icons. For foreign and domestic tourists, the tower is a hugely popular building. There is a constant stream of people taking the opportunity to visit and photograph this much loved piece of history.
In 1970, Sapporo Clock Tower was designated an ‘Important Cultural Property’ and certified as ‘Mechanical Engineering Heritage’ of Japan in 2009.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9 am to 5 pm daily |
| Closed | 29th December to 3rd January |
| Contact | 011-204-5019 |
| Notes | - |
| Getting There | 6 Chome-1 Kita 2 Jōnishi, Chūō-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaidō 060-0002, Japan |
Also known as the ‘Red Brick Building’, the Former Hokkaido Government Office was used for approximately 80 years until the new government office currently in use was built. Built in in 1888, it now serves as a museum presenting exhibits about Hokkaido’s history. Built in French style architecture, the 33m-tall and 61m-wide Old Hokkaido Government Building was one of the tallest and largest buildings in Japan but had to be rebuilt in 1911 after a fire destroyed much of the interior.
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The exhibits are located on the 1st and 2nd floors. The information panels are all in Japanese but there are folders located that are translated into various languages such as English, Chinese, and Thai. They show information on the history of Sapporo, with models, photos and items from that era.
Throughout the building there are 20 paintings inside, which depict historically important scenes in the history of Hokkaido. The paintings are hung in the corridors and exhibition rooms. Most of the windows are double-paned, to keep out the freezing climate of Sapporo. A souvenir shop is also located on the 2nd floor.
The three-section arch, which is decorated with engravings in Western architecture, is installed in the entrance hall. This is a popular spot for tourists to take photos. The Governor’s former office room is open to the public, and it displays restored room facilities as well as pictures of the successive governors in Hokkaidō. Other rooms are occasionally designated as conference rooms, and many companies and organizations have used these rooms for their meetings.
